verging_on_random

Why blog?

February 13, 2008 on 7:14 pm | In Uncategorized |

Damian, for reasons best known to himself, has tagged me to write about why I blog. Apparently I have to “list three reasons you blog and pass it on to three more bloggers”. In the spirit of compromise I’ll do the first and ignore the second, having learnt to detest these chain letter things from my ill-spent days in MySpace .

It’s hard to list three reasons why I blog because I never really sat down and thought about it very much. If I did, I’m sure the reasons would change from one week to the next. Fortunately the task mentions three reasons, not the three main reasons, so I’ll set down the first ones I think of.

1. Ego. I like to write, I think my ideas are way cleverer than most other people’s, and the way to prove it is to publish my thoughts for all the world to read. It’s an irresistible temptation, especially when I get to control who responds and to delete and/or abuse any commenters who I don’t like. Naturally I look down upon most other bloggers who blog for the same reason, because their work comes nowhere near my incredibly high standards .
2. A wish to participate in politics. Blogging offers the opportunity to have some slight influence on political decision-making; it’s the first real technological breakthrough in democratic governance since the Athenians introduced the town meeting. I believe strongly in democracy in its deepest sense of government by the people and not by some unaccountable mob of politicians who submit to the meaningless ritual of an election every few years. It’s exciting to be in the vanguard of a new social movement.
3. The creative urge. For me, writing is fun. Usually I couldn’t care less if anyone actually reads what I write … I get the same satisfaction out of writing a piece that I like whether anyone else reads it or not.

Interestingly, my urge to blog waxes and wanes. This is my third one, but the first where I’ve written under my own name and disclosed my background. I often wonder why so many people hide behind pseudonyms on blogs, either as writers or commenters; are they really so ashamed of their own opinions that they don’t want to be identified?

Anyway thanks Damian, that was possibly my most pointless post yet .