Some Thoughts On Blogging

I try to spend a few moments each day reading posts on other blogs. I find the blogging phenomenon fascinating. Anyone with a computer and an internet connection can have a soap box from which he or she can dispense insightful commentary on the world around us, perhaps an ongoing diary of personal experiences, or sometimes even absolute drivel that, as far as I can tell, has no value other than a possible therapeutic benefit to the author.

I like the anarchy of the blogosphere. There is so much to choose from. No-one forces me, or anyone else, to read any particular blog. No-one can keep me, or anyone else, from reading blogs which might be considered to be incendiary or inflammatory. We, the readers, can sort things out for ourselves. That is the way it should be.

I value political or social commentary by bloggers. Good or bad, their commentary serves a useful purpose. It can alert me to viewpoints which are new to me and worthy of consideration. It might instead confirm to me that there are truly meddlesome and ill-informed people out there who want to run my life and that I had better watch out for them and their similarly addled friends.

With so much political commentary already in the blogosphere, I usually don't add much to the discussion. While variety of outlook is laudable, at some point the cacophony becomes impenetrable and it becomes more difficult to get to the relevant and insightful posts that really matter. Although I have some personal experience in politics, I usually write about other things, things I observe that don't make sense to me (a very wide range, that) or things that touch or amuse me. There are numerous other blogs like that, written by interesting people who still have a sense of awe about the world and its inhabitants and who share their discoveries with us. Sometimes, bloggers share their frustrations. There is much to be frustrated about in our world. Reading about how others cope with the ups and downs of life can be illuminating and even comforting: There are others like us. They have some of the same problems. They might have new solutions to the problems. They might be frustrated or depressed momentarily and in need of a positive comment to help them smile again. They might be happy with their life and pass that happiness on to us.

It is interesting, this cyberworld. I like it. For those who read my words from time to time, I want you to know that I appreciate it. I'll see you on your blog.