Continuing my series on blogging, I consider the question “why do people blog?” Not only why do people blog, but who are the people blogging and who is reading those blogs.
So first, who are the people that blog? We can assume that the people that blog are those that have access to a reliable (and usually high-speed) Internet connection. They also have a certain understanding of computers, surfing, and can read. Like you. We can also assume that for the most part, they have a reason for blogging because let’s face it; it’s an intentional act. You won’t hear, “Oops, I just blogged about blogging again…my bad folks…my bad. I’ll be more careful.”
The people that blog are not people. They are persons. Blogging is an individual endeavor and each blogger is likely to offer you a list of ever changing (but with a fair share of persistent) reasons. Let’s consider the how Nardi et. al look at this.
To let other people know what’s going on. Maybe you’re writing about the wine industry in Northern Michigan, maybe your writing about your experience in graduate school, maybe you write about your business as an accountant.
To seek an opinion or feedback. Maybe you blog about consumer devices, new technology, or politics. There are many areas of interest that actively seek to get others involved in the dialogue. Discussions boards meet this need better but blogs are a good place to light the fire.
To think by writing. There are many blogs by people that use the opportunity of writing to sharpen their thoughts. Writing is a serial process and requires bringing together, into these short sentences, coherent thoughts that others can understand. Read what you write if you’re doing this as that is part of the thinking process too.
Sometimes to release emotional tension. Sometimes venting can be good. Dangerous to the feelings of others at times, but some amount of healthy and intelligent venting can act as a release valve to keep from building up too much internal pressure.
And sometimes it is for all these reasons at the same time. Writing and reading what others write is one most effective ways to share one’s thoughts. And if you think about it, sharing thoughts, however you do it, is fundamental to society.
Image: This was originally used in my blog on moonlighting as a student but it seemed fitting to this entry. This is a picture of my step-mother reading a blog post of mine where I was demonstrating “focus + context” on my phone using my blog as the site.
