Tuesday, May 17, 2011

blogging on blogging

I've been blogging, on and off for nearly 5 years. Things have changed - my life has changed, beyond anything I could have imagined really.
I've started reading other blogs, I'm even on a blogroll (www.kiwimummyblogs.co.nz)

I love being able to surf through blogs of others, getting insights into peoples lives (yes some might consider it slightly stalkerish, or voyeuristic I suppose, but people who blog know they are sharing details of their lives in a public forum).

What fascinates me most is how we can read these public personas and so often feel a kinship with a complete stranger. Perhaps their take on life is similar to ours, or they are going through some kind of experience that we have shared (or we'd like to have for ourselves). As I mentioned in a previous blog, there is an uncanny sense of intimacy in reading anothers thoughts and sharing back ones own.

Some writers are deliberately provocative in their topics and opinions. Some just share the minutae of their daily lives. Others pick the big issues to dissect and ruminate over.

For all that I share myself, in fact I am quite a private person. Not shy, not even reserved really, but it is I think, a small and exclusive membership to the club of people who really know me.

I wonder, how transparent should we be when blogging? How much information is too much information? Are there things that you would really like to know about your favourite bloggers? Or maybe things you really wish you didn't? Does it matter?

3 comments:

Broot said...

I go back and forth on this one. As you know, I try to be anonymous on my blog for my children's privacy. But I've had several requests from readers to give them more about who I am. I think it's a way of finding connections and feeling comfortable with the online "friendship."

I'm okay with not knowing about the blogger to a point. If a blogger mentions something in particular that's not explained somewhere, that irks me, for example, but I know I'm guilty of that too, because I forget what I have revealed and what I haven't!!

It's a tricky question without a black or white answer, I think!

susan said...

yes I agree Broot and the bit about finding connections really resonated...after all that's why things like blogs and facebook are so compelling I think - it's a way of making us feel closer to each other in such a impersonal world

Kimberly McKay said...

I think some blogs are too out there. I mean there is just TMI all over the place: 'too much information'. However I guess there is a place for everything and I have the freedom NOT to read those blogs that too explicit.

I think just a little bit of info is okay as long as its not sensationalized and over the top.

You can be witty, classy and funny without being trashy....just my opinion. :)