I'm on Myspace, Facebook, and I keep a blog (obviously). Much as I love the social interactivity and the creative space of the internet, sometimes I wonder about my increasing dependence on it. I feel the need to check my email every single day, even though I don't have a computer at home. Myspace is slowly becoming one of my primary methods of communication with people.
For the most part, I think the internet is a positive development. Social networking through Myspace and blogging can increase links with people in your immediate circle of friends and across the world. Yet sometimes I question the pull I feel to 'exist' online. Why do I feel the need to have my name come up when 'Susanne Newton' is entered in Google?
I enjoy blogging because I like to write, and to create something that is of interest to other people. I like the way words can be constructed and edited before they are put out into the world, in a way that can't be done with face-to-face communication. How the words you write are kept there in print; rather than being lost in face-to-face conversation. Recorded for prosperity.
In internet communication, there is a distance between the writer and the reader; a screen between us. Yet there is also a closeness and intimacy that can be reached through blogging, a cerebral element. I have never met many of the people whose blogs I read, and who read this blog, yet I know what they think about, what they are interested in. Perhaps the distance of the screen allows bloggers to be personal and intimate in a way that might not come so easily face-to-face.
These days I'm more confident than I used to be, and more of my communication is direct, face-to-face. Perhaps I don't need to blog as much as I used to.
For the most part, I shy away from getting too personal on this blog. I use my real name, and real-life friends read it. Strangely, if the blog was anonymous, I would be more open in my writing. From now on, I will try to put a bit more of my self into this blog. What have I got to lose?
6 comments:
For any network (real, virtual, social, blog) my need for popularity was more intense at the beginning than at the end which correlated with my success at it. That is where my dependence came from (you might be different) I found something that I liked, and looked for acceptance in that field.
Because my blog is anonymous (as much as it can be) I am able to be as expressive as possible, but I still catch myself trying not to alienate people by my comments. More so than myself the fact that you use your real name means that much of you is already in your blog and your online persona.
Who knows you could become a net celebrity ;-)
Find me on Facebook :)
Renwick- A while ago with this blog I really coveted readers and comments, so I put a lot of effort into posts and read and commented on a lot of other blogs.
At the moment, however, I don't feel the need for internet popularity or a great number of readers. What this blog is/means to me changes, and at the moment it's just something that is there if I want to do something creative, if I'm at work, or if I have something to write about and feel the inclination to.
I think that I use my real name because I want this blog to have some authenticity and have an author attached to it. On the other side of that is, of course, my ego; and if I write something of interest, I want people to know I wrote it!
Qatar- How do I find you lady? I searched 'Qatar Cat' and got nothing. How about you find me? Just search 'Susanne Newton' and I should come up. :)
I know what you mean about blogging and being oneself and what have you. My mum reads my blog {i know, i know, why did I give her the address?} and I wish I could be a bit more open.
I like your blog regardless!
ps* im going to poke you on facebook (oh my, that sounds so rude)
xx
Sharnee- Hehe, I'll poke you back. I really don't understand the point of this poking thing. Or maybe that is the point.
I believe my mum is aware of this blog as well. Yet another reason to hold back from writing about my love live. Sigh.
Thanks for your valuable information.
It was really of use to me.
Chenna
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