I, Pandora did a post asking why we do (or don’t) blog and it prompted me to finish a draft.
First, the downsides
It takes way too much time and can be a little addictive. When I came back from a 2+ week mission trip to Kenya last September I was “cured” of the mini-obsession to read and write blogs. My Google Reader had so many unread posts that it couldn’t count them. It just said, “Over 1,000.” That was a sign! I really enjoyed clicking “Mark all as read.”
I’ve tried to cut back on the blogs I read, but I do read the blogs of virtually all the regular commenters here.
A second problem is the time-wasting nature and some of the hostility you run into in the blog world. I really don’t mind contrary opinions. In fact, that is more interesting than endless back-slapping and “You go!” comments.
But sometimes there are slightly overzealous folks who just wear you out. A couple guys who recently fisked posts of mine really need to get some management training. Anger management training, that is (yeah, I stole that line from The Office). Reasoned disagreement is fine; unhinged-ness and nitpicking is not.
Contrary to popular opinion, it is not always a hug-fest here. Much of the time people agree on some things but not others. It isn’t always obvious because most commenters are charitable in how they express their views and don’t get personal with everything.
A quick search showed that two of my ideological opponents have had 385 and 439 comments here, respectively, in less than a year. The Dawkins crowd left many hundreds as well, with a couple folks leaving about 100 each. Yes, I have blocked a few folks but usually only for “felonies” and after repeated warnings. I really need to pull the trigger more quickly on those.
Now the good stuff
I started a blog when I realized I could write my own bits with as much time as I spent commenting elsewhere.
I’ve enjoyed reading editorial pages over the years. When reading multiple perspectives - biased or not - I learn a lot. I try to sift out the sound bites and focus on the substance of the arguments.
When you read blogs over time you come to know who is trustworthy (unlike the mainstream media). No one site is perfect, but it is amazing how much you can discern by reading multiple views on something.
I enjoy the dialogue and sense of community. Many of these topics are too politically incorrect for work and even church, but it is wide open here. It is one of the only places you can discuss difficult and controversial matters.
Mostly I’ve enjoyed meeting interesting people from all over the country / world. I really appreciate a quick wit and good humor.
I’ve learned a lot about making logical arguments and have found that writing things out helps clarify my thinking (Note to ideological enemies: insert your own punch line here!).
It is very cool to have lots of resources and writings stored so conveniently in one place.
I love opportunities to encourage and inform Christians in their walk with Christ.
I like whaling on false teachers and highlighting their poisonous heresies.
I have enjoyed opportunities to defend and share the Gospel and point to outstanding Christian resources on the web.
Every now and then I get tired of the whole thing and think about quitting. Right about that time I get an encouraging email that keeps me going.
So, why do you read and/or write blogs?
Filed under: Miscellaneous | Tagged: blogging, comments, Politics, religion
Neil,
I am thankful you take the time to read our blog. Also, I am thankful that you share your thoughts with us via this blog too.
I’ve learned much from your posts.
“I do read all the blogs of virtually all the regular commenters here.”
And I, for one, appreciate it.
Another plus… it encourages others (I know it encourages me)
Why do I blog? it’s a chance to get feelings out. I can say things on my blog I would say to anyone else. Or just write about something I think is important (like my recent One Soldier’s Story).
“To Blog or Not to Blog,” was my first post. I think I was watching the History channel about soldiers blogging and I wasn’t sure what it was. “I Blog Therefore I Am,” popped up on the screen and I thought I should look into it – having a chronic illness keeps me in bed too much and I needed a sense of self I felt I was losing. Anyway, I blog because I’ve always wanted a soapbox.
I read blogs to broaden my horizons and often to find support for my beliefs. I used to read a number of blogs but time restraints have forced me to curtail the number of blogs I read.
I am a typical farmer, in that I hope to have more time for blogs in the future.
I blog because if I don’t raise my voice about this crazy world I fear the displeasure of my Lord. Only if I personally witness injustice can I attempt to physically stop it. For everything else I must write, and SHOUT whilst doing it. Ezekiel 3:8 and Jude 1:3 are ever-present in my mind… I feel compelled to be vocal.
I blog for all the cliche reasons like expressing myself and communicating with others that I otherwise would not. I also like to challenge and be challenged. But the main reason is because I love writing in all it’s forms whether blogging, journaling in a notebook, articles, etc. I prefer to read blogs that teach me something new or provide a good laugh.
Neil,
Great post.
I linked to it.
[...] Neil has a great post on blogging. [...]
Accountability. That is the main reason.
Blogging rox. I have only been doing it a couple of months but I have met a lot of nice (and some not so nice) people on WordPress. You have to be real careful though, as there a lot of spiritual traps out there.
I love this post, Neil! Many of the things that you wrote I could have written myself. It is addictive and I have to watch how much time I spend on here but I love it because I learn so much, I enjoy the community that exists on here, and like someone said above – I like getting on my soapbox every now and then.
I blog because I don’t want to have to keep all this stuff in my head! It’s a kind of therapy.
I meet lots of great people (and not so great people). I get to see good ideas battle bad ideas. It makes me a more thoughtful, stronger, and better person in the long run. It keeps me honest. And unlike some folks, it helps me be more careful with my words.
Ooooh – good point re. being careful with words. I’ve stumbled on that one too many times. And I was just thinking of this verse this afternoon: James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
I blog because I have so many wondrous and wonderful things to impart to all of mankind. And then, I get to read them again over and over. It is such a joy.
Basically, it’s just fun and one gets to express one’s self as one chooses at one’s own pace. It also provides a means by which one might influence should there be any readers with an open mind. (We should be so lucky.)
I forgot to mention the
venting. . . er . . . uh . . . self expression part that some of you brought up. That is another plus!While I don’t blog (see the reasons against, especially the first one), I certainly enjoy the fruits of those who do. As well as the opportunity to interact with people who I would never have the chance to interact with otherwise. So basically I’m kind of a blog remora.
Thanks to all who enable us
::Back Slap:: You go!
I enjoy our debates, and having some back and forth with an opponent is quite enjoyable, and beneficial. It really helps flesh out interesting differences of opinion and perception.
Re. “you go” – ha!
Thanks, Dan, I agree. I appreciate how you can give and take without getting too personal.
Marshall Art, “I blog because I have so many wondrous and wonderful things to impart to all of mankind. And then, I get to read them again over and over. It is such a joy.” That’s hilarious! Thanks for the chuckle.
Neil–
I mainly enjoy reading three or four blogs at any one time. I always try to seek out those blogs that offer a differing viewpoint from my own. My own attempts at blogging always seem to fail miserably. As for your blog, back in the Wesleyblog (may it rest in peace) days I always found your comments compelling and well thought out (especially those points I disagree with). Keep up the good work, but quit if you need to!
Hi Jeff – thanks, I appreciate that. Same for you.
I miss the Wesleyblog days – that was quite an assortment of personalities over there!
I started blogging, initially, because I am an opinionated guy. In the place(s) I worked at, if I had an opinion on anything, I wasn’t shy about sharing it, and it soon became apparent my co-workers didn’t care about anything I had to say, so when I found out I could share my opinions online, I found my venue.
I began just talking about things in the news that made me say, “What the ….?” but soon I expanded to writing my opinions about current events or just idle thoughts.
By the way, I once wrote an entry on this very same subject, asking readers why they blog, and very few readers answered the question posed.
“A second problem is the time-wasting nature and some of the hostility you run into in the blog world.”
Amen to that. On my blog, I’m frequently called intolerant, hateful, biggoted, and closeminded (among other things that get deleted) because of my being a Christian. And would you believe – just the other day I was accused of being a propagandist for Muslims! Ha!
Sometimes you just can’t please anybody!
“just the other day I was accused of being a propagandist for Muslims! Ha!”
Yeah, that’s you in a nutshell!
This topic is actually one of the ideas I’m considering for a psychology research project. I may steal the link to this in the future then…just to warn you.
Why do I blog? Fire in the belly, I suppose – but that doesn’t account for all of it. Considering that most of my posts are based on news articles/op-eds of interest to me, maybe it’s just an impetus to tell someone else, or many someone elses.