Reading this article gave me a significant case
of deja vu. I made my first blog when I was in middle school, a
technology-savvy version of a journal. But the creation of the blog wasn’t just
for me, it was to keep up and create a network with my friends who had a
similar idea. While Myspace existed at this time, a blog was a more personal
way for us to keep in contact and share our thoughts rather than just viewing
each other’s profiles.Now,
I’ve had ten different blogs - some personal, some for school.
I agree with everything the reading is saying about the benefit of blogs. They allow an outlet to share thoughts, recipes, experiences, whatever. The beauty is that you can get your thoughts out there for others to relate to, or just yourself. Either way, the gratification of publishing is there, and you can view it anywhere at anytime. And so can everyone else, bringing people from all over the world together over a common interest.
I agree with everything the reading is saying about the benefit of blogs. They allow an outlet to share thoughts, recipes, experiences, whatever. The beauty is that you can get your thoughts out there for others to relate to, or just yourself. Either way, the gratification of publishing is there, and you can view it anywhere at anytime. And so can everyone else, bringing people from all over the world together over a common interest.
The article does an excellent job of highlighting the everyday nature of blogs and their contents. Most blogs are relatable because they aren’t written by the rich and famous, they’re written by the “Average Joe”. And the Average Joe writes because he loves it or has a thought, and that thought influences someone else, and then the cycle continues, inspiring people to write about their lives or specific subjects. Blogging also gives people like Jack, Evan, Alan, and Vivian (examples from the reading) a place to practice their writing skills, giving them an interest and possible future writing for magazines. However, blogs don’t often function as interactive social media, because even if someone does comment on a blog, it tends to be one-sided. Rather, they have created their own niche in the internet world, filling the need to communicate and just express thoughts without expectations or need for anyone to respond.
Regardless of why the blog is created or what the topic is, blogs are excellent ways of communicating and sharing thoughts and have many personal and social benefits.
Meg,
ReplyDeleteI think you make a great point that blogs are relatable because they aren't written by the rich and famous, they're are written by the "Average Joe." The article touches on this idea that blogs are cathartic, and are "an outlet for thoughts and feelings." I think that people who are avid blog followers look for someone's blog who addresses the same interests or emotions that they do. It's a symbiotic relationship for the blogger and blog follower. The blogger is able to express their feelings and the blog follower can have comfort in knowing that there is someone out there that has the same thoughts or feelings. It's a reassuring moment for someone when they realize that there are other people in the world that understand them.
Meg, You have some really great points. Also, I have read your blog and you have written and posted some amazing things. I like the point you make about the "Average Joe" because I too have a blog and feel the same way. I don't write because I am forced to or because I think I have to, I write because I love it and it makes me feel great. Also, my readers aren't forced to read it. The beauty of a blog really is the freedom to write and say whatever you want. There are so many times that people need to relate and aren't sure who to talk to. I have definitely read blogs when I was in my darkest moments and been able to see that someone else made it through such a terrible time, so I can too. With so many recent tragedies on our campus there have been blogs going around about how students feel and what we think should be done about all of it. This is so much more effective than a comment card or a feisty email.
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