Why do people write blogs? « Linda's Meta-learning Journal

10/11/2004

Why do people write blogs?

I began wondering yesterday why I keep this blog. I decided to think about what would happen if I deleted it altogether.

What would change?

What would I have to do differently?

losses?

gains?
When I told a friend what I'd been thinking about he asked me why I was angry with my blog. I'm not angry at all, I just want to know why I'm writing it and why people read it.
So what would change if I deleted my blog?
I would be writing my learning journal just for myself with no sense of audience. I wouldn't get any feedback at all on what I write. I would feel less a part of the UV blogging community.
What would I have to do differently?
I'd have to put everything in my learning journal on my desktop.
Losses?
Loss of audience, loss of community feeling, possible de-motivation for considering meta-journal issues.
Gains?
Privacy, less time on-line, might encourage me to contribute in FC community rather than write here.
So did I reach any conclusions? Not yet. My blog is safe for a bit longer while I think about why I write it.
A more interesting question might be 'Why do you read it?" So go on all you lurking readers out there (thanks to the stat counter I know you exist!) just why are you reading this?

Posted at 11:14:36 pm by lmhartley


	Gina November 10, 2004 01:05 PM PST Hi Linda-just caught up with this entry as I was away when this was posted-interesting questions and ones I've thought myself several times-I know that with anything there are times when you are fed up-natural rhythm of life really. I think motivation is a big reason I see for you as researchers, using blogs-also, it's a way of sharing your life more closely with those who aren't in the same place geographically. I certainly have appreciated mine as I've kept in touch with friends and family from overseas. Anyway, don't give it up-where would I get my recipes from???


	Mo October 13, 2004 08:18 AM PDT As you know Linda, I like to read your blog. I feel it's a good way to keep in touch with you when I don't get to chat online or use your favourite medium - the phone :-) Even if I don't leave a message, it's not because I'm not interested in what you have to say - far from it. Stay blogged!


	Eve Thirkle October 12, 2004 01:21 PM PDT I, for one, would miss your blog - I feel that I have discovered more of you and your personality through your writings in this medium than through the communities. You could continue to write your blog but make the entries 'private' - less drastic than deleting it altogether! I'm expert at not making drastic decisions at present! By the way - this is the third entry that I've tried to make - and not appearing! - at least to me - please feel free to delete any extraneous comments that you may be able to see!


	Andy October 12, 2004 10:15 AM PDT "I feel people are more honest in their blogs" That's quite a thought. Linda, can you remember how you feel whenever you are out of contact with your blog for a while?


	Viv October 12, 2004 12:36 AM PDT Hi Linda - I'm a regular visitor to your blog as I am to other UV researchers' blogs. Tips & useful resources are 2 of the reasons I read. I can empathise with your quandry of Why use a blog? I feel that I drone on sometimes in mine then regret it when I'm trying to locate entries for use in UV work. There's no way that I'd be as motivated to make regular entries if i used a word doc. as a LJ. These Web-logs have bona fide dates on the entries and you can guarantee that if you make a statement or pose a question that you aren't sure about a response won't be far away - you wouldn't get that in any other format. Not even in the community - I feel people are more honest in their blogs Ps I've done the stat counter as well 35 loads on it's first day - I'm flattered that people are remotely interested in anything I have to say. Don't delete - I'm sure you would regret it.

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