Blogging on Blogging
For those interested I have a technical blog. It’s BOOOORING. But it’s here.
This makes 4 blogs that I maintain…one of them is hidden. I have a fifth but I’ve only written a couple of times (It’s also private). This is a lot different that my original attitude towards blogging (my first blog post).
It’s an interesting place, really. It’s a venue for sharing private thoughts in a way that others can read. Unfortunately, it creates an intimate facade that can be tricky. I still struggle with it. I read a blog entry once that said, “just because you have lots of visitors doesn’t mean you are popular.” and another quote “no matter what you do, your mother will find your blog.” It’s more intimate than nothing, less intimate that sex or sharing a cup of coffee. It’s a fine balance between pleasing the reader and not giving a rat’s ass what people think. I think of lots of things I want to say, but the more people read the less I post the true self. That’s why I keep an anonymous blog (or two) in my back pocket. And I do believe that, as much as people tell you otherwise, no one wants to read an angry, diseased, or depressed blogger.
So I am here trying, as best I can, to keep it fucking happy for you. : )
I read angry or depressed blogs quite frequently actually; or sites that write about a counter-culture or just break from the norm in some way. I imagine most people don’t read them because they don’t want to be “brought down.” Understandable…if a bit shallow. But also because we have a tendency to want to help others, and if we can’t we might feel helpless ourselves.
Sometimes shit happens though. Or something pisses you off. Or some jerk broke into your car the night before a big snowstorm and ruined your old but useful camera they didn’t bother stealing.
I just personally don’t find the more “content” blogger’s lives very interesting, or even reflective of a true human experience, and for similar reasons that you mentioned, notably the need for them to self censor.
Freedom isn’t free, easy or pretty. It’s liberating, opposes corruption of justice and gives people the chance to pursue their own dreams. People need to value freedoms more these days in my opinion. Sweet or bitter.
Postscript: I make no apologies for this point of view.
“it creates an intimate facade”
That is so true! I enjoy the relationships i have through my blog, but how I would rather get coffee with everyone and be face to face. I hope we don’t substitute the computer screen for real relationships. I think I do that sometimes.
But…blogging is fun too!
I actually like reading other’s blogs when they are angry, depressed, or feeling broken in some way. I don’t know why. I guess because it makes me feel like I’m not alone, like I’m not such a freak for feeling the way I feel on a daily basis. However, I rarely have the courage to post those sort of entries on my own blog. I write them and leave them in my drafts folder or delete them when I feel happier. So you don’t have to keep it happy for me! Although I certainly understand the impulse.
I know what you mean about not posting as much of the real you the more people read your blog. I have really slacked off on mine for a while now, mostly for that reason. It is kind of a catch 22. I have a blog so people can read it but I don’t post things because people might read it.
You do inspire me to post more and not care so much what people think. Thanks for that.
There is a shirt that I have seen that makes me laugh every time I think of it. It says “More people have read this shirt than have read your blog”