The Quagmire

       (Go to: Quagmire Blog's Main Page)

The Quagmire describes my mind -- full of random bits of things all stuck together -- these things may include, but are not limited to: music, TV, movies, writing, reading, theatre, politics, religion, whatever.

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

What's Wrong With Blogging

I had this burning desire to post some really personal stuff here, specifically a few things that were on my mind. That's what blogs are for. I wanted to make a post and I didn't make it because I was afraid a particular person might read it, or maybe a particular group of people. Blogging is supposed to be about expression, but it's not free. That bothers me, I think. Stuff along the lines of: I like person A. I hate person B. I really feel emotion C. That sort of thing.

Then I realized that I was censoring myself. Yep, the blog has come to that point. I've got people reading who, quite frankly, I just don't want to know some of that stuff and if I post it here, it'll be pretty damned hard to hide won't it? I think the blog was a little more fun for me when it was anonymous and I didn't know who was reading it. It's ironic that as the blog gets more visitors and more people, it's harder and harder for me to put what I want in the blog. It's might also be interesting to my readers that since you know what I'm willing to write here, you ought to wonder what I'm not willing to write.

As an illustrative example: Do I care if random person X knows that I like A or hate B? Not in the least. Do I care if A knows that I like him/her? Maybe. Do I care if B knows I hate him/her? Of course not. Do I care if anyone I know thinks I'm having emotion C? You bet your ass. I used him/her so nobody would read anything in to the pronouns. (This is an illustrative example only, not an actual example for those of you who couldn't pick up on it without me explaining it.)

To carry it further, what might be okay for a stranger to read, you might not want your best friend to read. What be okay for a friend, might not be okay for a relative. And what's okay for a stranger and/or friend might not be okay for an employer. So the blogsphere which is supposed to be censorship free becomes self-censored.

It was an interesting revelation and/or epiphany to have. So this blog, while it isn't censored, definitely only shows you part of the picture. And the very best part? This may the most uncensored post I've ever made* even though it appears totally censored.

I only know of one person -- who probably won't ever read my blog -- who will have any clue what's going on in this post. Most of my readers will think I've taken too many medications and dismiss this post as inconsequential when in truth it's the single most important post I'll ever make. And, it's quite possible, a few of my readers -- one or two of my friends I suspect -- will actually try and figure it out. And fail miserably. Sorry, guys :)

This post made me feel sad inside and put a smile on my face (this is a true statement).

* he said cryptically.

Bold text added 10-25 for people who, apparently, need things spelled out.

Labels: ,




3 Comments:

At 24 October, 2007 10:02, Blogger Adrian said...

You're coming out?

 
At 24 October, 2007 10:09, Blogger Rev. CMOT TMPV said...

And, I should have added, no matter what, I can count on some of my friends to be assholes.

 
At 06 November, 2007 12:22, Blogger Samuel said...

While I don't know the specifics of what you're referring to, I still understand where you're coming from. There are people out there who are perfectly happy to let it all hang out, as it were, to post the most personal thoughts and details, who effectively drop trou' -- in a digital sense, at least.

Freakish. Anyway.

In writing blog entries over the years I've constantly struggled to figure out just how comfortable I am posting certain things, and my Byzantine LiveJournal friends groupings and whatnot are proof of that.

Wish I had an easy answer.

 

Post a Comment

Links to this post:

Create a Link

<< Home


Please note, anonymous comments are generally rejected. If you're afraid to put your name on your comments, don't expect to see them here.
This blog was started 24 October 2004 and the template last updated 21 April 2008.
©2004-2008, Eric A. Seiden. All Rights Reserved.
eXTReMe Tracker