Bloggin

I figure, why not answer this thread. I've been blogging off and on for six or more years now. It's good if you can get ideas across and make people think about something they wouldn't otherwise think of. It's bad if all you're doing is talking about dramatic occurrences within your own life.

I use it to pose philosophical arguments or conjectures to people who are not in an academic setting. I also use it as a way to (on occasion) publish my poetry and prose.

I am a bit ambivalent on the issue of blogging. As some one who keeps an extensive journal in which I try to write in daily, to both record ideas feeling, impressions on the state of the world and use it for self analysis,I have to question its use value for someone else. Are we a society of voyeurs? Where is the public and persona, has it l been dissolved? Are blogs open to anyone or just select audiences?

What are people seeking through bogging? The transmission of ideas? Fame? Social Recognition? Acknowledgment of their existence and its worth to both self and others?

I do enjoy reading biography and autobiographies but a blog like a journal is a work in progress isn't it? Or have we reduced our lives to serial like installments where any can come in have a look then leave?

I don't know and this is not to detract from anything or anyone but I feel that my ego is developed and recognized enough to do without blogging or am I missing the point about it all?

I don't think your missing the point; I personally can't blog, I feel like a narcissist if I do, anything I do write that isn't on these forums is never seen by anyone but me. I think this is a result of recognizing that a lot of people who Blog/write are in fact after 'Fame? Social Recognition? Acknowledgment of their existence and its worth to both self and others?' And when I ask myself, why should I post my opinion? I usually assume it is because I want recognition of my brilliantly original, super smart and incredibly profound brain *roles eyes*.

But I tell you what, it is hard keeping everything to yourself out of fear of being construed as pretensious or 'full of it' or a smart ****, as I am often put down as. The need for outstretched hands soon becomes apparent and I go start babbling to someone who has no interest in the subject about how wonderful I have found the impression of some obscure philosophy prose.

Perhaps it would be a good start to ask others what there motives are when writing, posting blogging.

Dan

symptomatic of a breakdown in social relations indeed. If you have the energy read this postand the little back and forth Vaska and myself have from post #7 on wards. The relevant stuff finishes at the bottom of the page; I think we did a pretty good job of highlighting some of the major language issues which would be serious offenders with regard to the destruction of social relations.

I also see the need for for sharing ones knowledge, as part of maintaining meaning within ones actions, I guess for the same reasons it might seem odd to wear make-up and dress up in the house alone without any plans of leaving. I'm sure this isn't a deep seeded motive, but certainly it fits in with your comment- 'ideas, ... is the real currency'; why have currency if you have no one to trade with?

Is there ever learning for the sake of learning, or is all self improvement a sympton of one-upmanship? Perhaps this question reveals a little more, today I certainly feel the pressure of society and the actions of most seem to be well driven by the masses, I often ask my brother why he chooses to drive a ridiculously fast and expensive car? He can only answer, 'because...' I often imply that he didn't buy the car but the general public did, for without them he would not have felt the pressure to compete machine-wise and buy such an over the top motor- this winds him up somewhat .

The glare of the public and their iron fist of judgment probably has a part in this as well, I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable communicating the way I am now with the punters at my local pub, in the primary school I have been volenteering at, and especially not at home. Is it as simple as that?

Dan.