About this interwebs tubes thingie, part 1: Why do you blog?
by Laura Scott

Why do you blog? Aren't you being selfish? Aren't you boasting? Aren't you boring the world? Who gave you the idea that your expression has a place in this world? Who do you think you are?

The mainstream media certainly don't like you. Witness ABC's Cokie Roberts' proud declaration that she can't be bothered reading blogs, and seems rather put-out that the blogs are out there nonetheless. [video (new window)] She's been appointed by ABC to share her thoughts with you. Nobody appointed you to share back. Where do you get off, trying to do it anyway? Witness the AP's takedown campaign against bloggers.

What are you about, blogging like you do?

There's this print magazine, Artful Blogging, which is about craft and art blogs. I picked up the Summer 2008 issue [ISSN: 1941-2320], which profiles many women who blog about their work. They speak in their own words. And while it's ostensibly about craft, art and creativity, what the women say in this magazine could be about any blogging.

I had never noticed or maybe it was just that I didn't pay too much attention to blogs or the concept of them. My first impression of "blogging" was that they were all personal online diaries. I tend to be a very private person so the thought of sharing any part of myself openly never appealed to me, and by the same token I didn't feel comfortable with the idea of reading a complete stranger's thoughts.

Eventually I came across some craft-oriented blogs. These appealed to me immediately because I enjoyed seeing what crafts others were making, reading about what inspired them to create the pieces, and even their process of creating. One day I thought, "why not?"

-Audrey Hernandez, p. 38 [her blog: http://smallcreations.blogspot.com]

...

Blogging was the crack in the door, a new lease on my artistic life. With each post and comment this door opens more and more. I have founda voice to my creative juices that seemed to have been stifled. It gave me the opportunity to put myself out there, to find a supportive audience of like-minded folks. To begin making art again and finding the courage to put it out in the real world in addition to this wonderful virtual one.

-Stephanie Hilvitz, p. 134 [her blog: http://rodrigvitzstyle.typepad.com]

...

Because of my blog, I found myself spending a little extra time to take photos and scans. I also discovered ways of framing phots to enhance how they are displayed. And in the meantime I learned a little more about the techniques of digital art.

It's funny how things will find a way into ones' art. I first used graphic programs mostly to straighten or fix the color of a photo. I made several elements to use in my collage work. But the more I played with the programs, the more I found I could incorporate digital techniques into the entire art piece. All of this because I wanted to "fix" a photo for my blog.

-Rande Hanson, p. 129 [her blog: http://r2artstudio.typepad.com]

These comments come in the same season when Eszter Hargittai and Gina Walejko of the Web Use Project release a new report [PDF] that indicates, as Jacqui Cheng reports in Ars Technica:

...suggests that the Internet is not an equal playing field for men and women since those with more online abilities—whether perceived or actual—are more likely to contribute online content," Hargittai said in a statement. "It appears that lack of perceived skill is holding women back from putting their creative content out there."

Hargittai acknowledged that there may be additional factors at play that affected the (lack of) participation by women online. For example, women may have greater concerns over privacy than men—I know that my father attempted to instill in me a very deep-seated fear that anything I might post online could lead someone to break into my home and murder me in my sleep (so far, so good). Women may also be less confident in the quality of their work than men, although if this were the case, things may not be as balanced as they apparently are after controlling for perceived digital literacy.

Fear and insecurity may play a role in reluctance to blog, but this is an era much different than the times of total old media dominance, when, in the words of the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press:

Fewer than 1% of the population is able to reach the general public with their information. (In the U.S., owners of the four main TV networks alone reach 98% of American households 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. And all mass media owners, small or large, do not total more than 2 million people, less than 1% of the population.)

With an essentially free blog to be had by anyone who can get at a computer with internet, these figures are starting to change. And now we are seeing the benefit of such freedom of expression by women who, yesterday, were unheard -- their thoughts unexpressed in such a public manner and, thus, never garnering any public response, validating or critical. Back to Artful Blogging:

Looking back at why I did this all I realize the main reason I started this blog was to keep me accountable. I knew if people were looking ath te blog and expecting new work, I would do the artwork even on those days when the thought of sitting in my tiny studio, in my office chair, with my three daytime lamps shining on me was the last thing I wanted to do. Because I knew people were looking -- I kept on creating and pushing myself to make each piece better than the last.

-Sherill Anne Gross, p. 80 [her blog: http://sagworks.wordpress.com]

...

Blogging has challenged me to take better photos. I traded in my point-and-shoot for a digital SLR camera and this has inspired me to become more imaginative with my shots, thus helping me to stage my products in the store, as well as getting creative with personal photos of my children and family.

-Tara Frey, p. 74 [her blog: http://bellapinkcafe.com]

...

I wasn't aware that other people are struggling with self-acceptance, fighting depression, and dreaming both small and huge dreams. It is interesting how we grow up among people and live with them and at the same time are so disconnected, so unaware of what is really happening in their minds. It took a computer ("the cold machine") and modern magic to help me really connect ... to feel that I am normal ... to finally fit in.

-Zorana, p. 24 [her blog: http://zoranaland.blogspot.com]

There's a freedom in blogging. People seem to rarely get "blogging block." At least they don't blog about it much. On the other hand, I have to confess I do often get blocked when writing my BlogHer posts. My inner editor rises ascendent and my delete key gets much use. Because here it's not just personal: I'm supposed to be contributing something worthwhile.

No such constraints on my own domains, where I'm free to write whatever inanity comes to mind.

I'm not sure I can point to a single thing why I am drawn to blogging. On one level, it can be very much like public journaling. I did a bit of that for a while, back before I had heard of the word "blog," but that lasted only until the one day I looked at the raw stuff I had put up there on the web and kind of freaked out, and took it all down. The process of such personal blogging was what it had been about, and that had served its purpose. The resulting blog was secondary. Almost irrelevant. Now extinct.

Then I started blogging again in earnest sometime in 2004. I had a political blog where I did a lot of snark and opinionating with sharp rhetorical knives. When I realized just how angry that process was making me, I decided to start a more personal, less political blog. I drew its title from a line of an Amy Lowell poem.

Now I find it hard to get very personal in blogging, mostly because I just bore myself. My life really isn't that interesting. Or at least it's nothing compared to my work and what's happening in this new interwebs tubes thingie. Those things capture my full attention -- interest me, intrigue me, sometimes anger me. It's a personal thing going.

The thing is that once you start blogging, you find yourself more connected with your ideas and expressing them. You're writing every day (or more than you might otherwise), putting thoughts, experiences, emotions into words. In a way, it's like having a job in that you get better at it just by doing it.

Maybe that's why when it comes to things like product reviews or restaurant tips or political analysis, I turn to blogs and pretty much skip -- or at least discount -- the sponsored media. A whole lot of the best information on the web is in blogs. Maybe it's because, for bloggers, it's more personal than just a job.

One thing I have loved to do since before college, when I actually studied it a bit, is photography. For some of the same reasons as shared by the creative bloggers above, I started a photoblog (now sadly neglected), also named from an Amy Lowell poem.

Your shadow is no shadow, but a scattered sunshine;
And at night you pull the sky down to you
And hood yourself in stars.

--

Technology and Web Contributing Editor Laura Scott also blogs at pingVision.

Submitted by Laura Scott (view blog) on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 20:12

Comments

 

Blogging for me is

a discipline connected to my writing.  It helps me exercise my mind.  Like physical exercise, it also unburdens me and uplifts me.  It creates community and connects me to people from all over this big yet small world of ours.  It gives me a voice and helps me listen to others.

Blogging is a powerful force of communication.  It will not be pushed underground even by people who make snarky comments because they don't get it, can't control it and therefore won't sanction it.

Thanks so much for this post.

Submitted by Candelaria Silva on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 19:02
 

It's about commitment

Being a busy working mom, for years I've let everything get in the way of my writing. No more!  Now, at least once a week, I have a commitment to myself to write about one thing.  I have a small base of subscribers who seem to like to hear from me regularly, and they serve as my cheerleading squad, asking me why I've missed a post if a week goes by.

It started innocently enough. I needed to learn the technology for work so I started a blog at home to practice.  Soon, it became a way to stay in touch with people I care about on a regular basis.  Now, it has morphed into finding my voice and staying committed to touching base with that voice at least once a week.  

I try to diet. I try to exercise.  I do blog.  It's the one commitment to myself that I trust myself to keep. 

 

Submitted by tprblogger on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 19:30
 

I love blogging, I really am

I love blogging, I really am not bothered if there are people who may not like what I write. It's basically writing what you love about. And if people would love it, then it's great!

Thank you for this great post. :) 

 

-Yvie

http://tangerineslullaby.eachday.com

Submitted by tangerinelullaby on Sun, 06/29/2008 - 23:32
 

I love blogging me too!

My name is "osoleomar" that mean "sun &sea" Do you like it?

I love much blogging, because i can listen my little soul that her tell me abuot me.

SHE keep me company, she consent me a true creative writing because i wrrote on communicating to a samebody people ..you know..in that way no intrusive.Thank you for this great post :) 

Submitted by osoleomar48 on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 01:59
 

On a mission

When I first started blogging I was on a mission to find a decent book to use as a text for teaching web design. It was no easy task and I reviewed a lot of inadequate books.

Funnily enough, that lead me to the opportunity to write two books of my own about the best way to learn web design.

By that time, most books had improved. The word about CSS and web standards finally started penetrating the publishing world mentality.

Since then, my range of focus has widened and relaxed a bit, but that was my reason when I first began.

http://www.webteacher.ws/ http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 06:04
 

The Poster Child for Blogging

I was working for a newspaper when I stumbled across blogging. It was such an exciting concept. With an hour's time and a computer, I could be a publisher! At the time I was heavily into photography so I created my photoblog, The Farmer's Wife. I imposed a daily deadline and that deadline fired my inspiration.

The amazing aspect of the internet is the ability to meet people you would never have met in "real life". The photoblog community blossomed and support networks arose. I met the photo editor of a large publication who dubbed me "The Poster Child for Blogging" because of my enthusiasm for the medium.

It's an awesome tool and anything that gets people writing and creating again is a good thing. As my editor friend reminded me, after you create the blog you must have something to say. Like any endeavor, the cream rises to the top. Those who are extremely talented and committed will become popular. But popularity should never be the goal, we should be writing and creating for the joy of it.

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Submitted by the farmers wife on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 05:50
 

P.S.

What's an internet, intertube thingie?

See how uninformed I am.

Suzanne, the Farmer's Wife

Submitted by the farmers wife on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 05:52
 

Blogging the new medium

I am a web designer and and artist. I have been designing for this Internet
medium for fourteen years but the blogging aspect is new for me. I feel
it is a great way to get active in a world where no one has the
attention span to listen to a newscast or read a full page article. Sad
but true. Another aspect is reality is the way to go, no editors here
to filter or to fineness. It is just raw and real.

Submitted by Christina66@blogher.com on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 16:20
 

I love the uncensored nature of it...

I love that I can go online and find the story of an artists' pregnancy, or a mommy bloggers hysterical birthday nightmare, or another woman's struggle with infertility. And the stories are deep and detailed - no one has decided what is important, or interesting, for me to read - except the person writing their story.  I resent the recording industry deciding what i will want to listen to, and the publishers deciding what i want to read (especially women's mags! argghh!)

That's not why i started of course - my first blog was started when i moved away from my friends and family.  it seemed like a great way to keep them updated.  my second blog (and my only current personal one) is a foodie blog, because i wanted to join the food bloggers community, and it's something I'll never get tired of writing about.

Now i'm helping set up a site for technology reviews by women - because girls get gadgets too!  And nobody seems interested in marketing them to us.  and i'm still having trouble finding hands-on reviews written by women.  not really a blog any more, but that's where blogging has taken me.

taktikbitch.com  gadget reviews for women, by women

Submitted by kristin_at_taktik on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 16:57
 

I've a good idea!

Hallo Friends! I've a good idea!... I'll reading this post more and more...that's the very i-deth report but hi dont ispired my-self because this report told me an only message!Sorry! but i think so about it..."That only message is... to communicate need's"and then i've a good idea now!We'll ( all womans in the world) incouraging the children' s generation to give the blogs..."on blogging on learning"...That's the fair slogan for  young winners?What's u think abaout it?

Submitted by osoleomar48 on Wed, 07/02/2008 - 08:26
 

All these answers are so inspiring!

Thanks everyone for sharing your own blogging motivations in the comments here!

We all blog for our own reasons, which is maybe one reason why it's so disruptive to the old way of doing things, with editorial and publishing controls held by the few. It wasn't always like that. Time was the printing press was not cheap, yes, but certainly within the range of an entrepreneur. By the time the 1900s rolled around, though, it was becoming a big business, with massive machines, controlled airwaves and big money driving the agenda. Aside from 'ditto' newsletters there wasn't much in the way of independent publication.

Now look at it! How many blogs are indexed now on BlogHer? How many new ones are popping up every day? Sorting through all that is a challenge -- I have 530 blog feeds in NetNewsWire, for example, which I at least scan through every day. But if I had to choose between my internet connection and my tv connection, I'd take the internet any day of the week.


Laura Scott
BlogHer Contributing Editor for Technology & Web
design, snap, blog

Submitted by Laura Scott on Fri, 07/04/2008 - 10:45
 

Blogging for community

~Kathi i.e., An Intercultural Educational Resource Network

Interesting posts and the subject of a survey I tried today on my blog (beware those beta toys and 'free' basic thingies). I started out with two blogs, one serious and one for fun and experimenting with the tools. The latter won out, at this point. I have a great little Sony digital which takes magic pictures, and it's driving the posts right now, along with a theme of animals, travel, connections and fun pix. I must be doing something right/write, because my digital map is filling up like crazy with dots from all over the globe. Drop by and happy blogging!   Cheers, ~Kathi

 

http://mysisterwasastbernard.blogspot.com

 

Submitted by kathiwilliams on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 12:32
 

The reason I blog

Is because I initially wanted to have my own little place to write. It was, as you said, my own personal diary. But, as it turns out, the place I chose for my "diary" isn't such a little place after all.

I found other bloggers and have thoroughly enjoyed reading about their trials or their silliness. I have decided to try this blogging thing again, paying more attention to what I "publish".

I now try to find a little creativity from within. I WANT people to come. I WANT to be interesting. I WANT to make people think, or laugh, or cry. I'm still working on this. I don't have much of a "blogroll" yet, but I'm working on it.

If nothing else, I have made a few connections. I have found people who really interest me. THEY make ME think, laugh and/or cry.

And I love every minute of it.

www.adayinrhondaslife.blogspot.com

Submitted by Rhonda L on Thu, 07/17/2008 - 14:00
 

Because it Passes on Wisdom

One of the reasons I blog, is because I helps me help others. I've found it to be a powerful way to get (and recieve) the mentoring, guidance, and advice needed to get through the day. Through blogging I've been able to mentor a number of young women. It's been very rewarding! 

Rachelle Mee-Chapman blogs at: http://www.magpie-girl.com.

To get a short updated when a new piece by Rachelle is up anywhere on the web, follow her at Twitter! htt

Submitted by Rachelle Mee-Chapman on Mon, 07/21/2008 - 08:43
 

Why blogging?

Writing in a vacumn just does not work for me. I love to write but am not particularly interested or talented enough to get published. Have you been to the local big box book store lately? There is just a snowball's chance of ever arriving there considering the competition. However, Barbara's Travels...at home in the world allows people like me to write and publish. I can write whatever I desire (within reason) and publish, all on the same day. It lets me sort my thoughts, save my stories and hopefully entertain someone along the way.

Barbara's Travels...at home in the world! http://torristravel.blogspot.com

Submitted by Barbara-b on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 09:21
 

Why blogging?

My mind is fine. However, I am physically challenged. There fore, one day of blogging allows me to interact with more people than I would see in a week and sometimes a month.

I label myself as a people person. I have never had a problem making friends. So, my inability to drive or even travel alone anymore can sometimes be frustrating. Blogging fills that void.

http://livingwithachronicillness.blogspot.com/

Submitted by Mckay K on Tue, 07/22/2008 - 10:00
 

Blogging my escape

I have to say when I first started blogging, it was like "What am I doing here, and what was I thinking." Which then turnned into "I am not crazy, other people have thought that as well. It has become the escape point, of where I can share ideas, thoughts, and just communicate with others that can help to open up your mind more to what I keep talking about "out of box" thinking. There is a whole world out there that I may not ever see, but I may have communicated with instead.

Submitted by Mare33 on Mon, 09/22/2008 - 20:08
 

Yes is true!

me too...the blog is a very treath way to communicate

Submitted by osoleomar48 on Tue, 09/23/2008 - 02:29