On blogging

Another gazillion years gone by, and no postings...

One of the reasons is that the whole concept of keeping a blog is still a bit beyond my grasp. Sure, it's what all the cool kids are doing these days, and for what I've seen, these blog things range from personal rants, to journal entries, to 'dear diary' type entries, to actually focused, purposeful scribblings on a variety of subjects.

Me? I guess I've tried all of the above and not one of said blog styles has quite done it for me just yet. Part of the problem is that I'm still trying to understand the concept of blogging... The point of it all... So we desperately want to get our thoughts out there? Are we so pathetic (note the use of the word 'we') that we have to grasp at whatever little chance we have to be heard, to at least in our minds step out from the crowd of the nameless and have our say in a global (if virtual) stage? Do we really think what we have to say is so important it just has to be shared with the world?

Well, unless there something in it for the world, chances are, the world's not going to give a damn. It's too busy writing its own blog, indulging in its own fantasy that what it writes will be of any consequence to some stranger here or there.

The truth is NOBODY CARES. If you're writing about indoor gardening, only indoor gardening enthusiasts will care about your blog; if you claim to be a literary agent, only frustrated, newbie writers will read your blog -- even if you are in fact a map maker who knows zip about publishing, but just happens to sound like you do know your stuff. If you're writing about your life... Maybe your mum will care -- perhaps your best friend, or your shrink... And then you can just email them, or talk to them directly... why bother posting it on the internet?

My theory? (And please note how, here I am, ranting about blogs in a blog)

There's too many of us. Too much anonymity. We all think we're special and unique and deserve to be heard... We all think we have something to say and -- worse-- that people should listen!

The internet should be a tool. If you have a business, or want to post your portfolio, or share pictures and stories with faraway loved ones, cool. But now we've allowed this fantastic global tool to become a vehicle of self-indulgence (writes she in that self-indulgent blog of hers which, she knows, is just as bad as anyone else's)

We've got to get a grip! And I personally make myself (MYSELF, not anyone who happens upon this little webspot) the vow that I will stop writing about my shitty job and my PMSy relationship paranoias. I'll try from now on to focus on one or two topics (say, flamenco, diversity, writing/reading) and cut the shit.

Call it my personal April resolution.