On Blogging and Google Reader
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| 20 December 2012 Journal Page |
I have over four hundred blogs in my Google Reader. I've been using it for years and I'm used to it. I can read it when I'm on the go or when I'm lazy and would rather lie in bed and skim my blogs than turn on the laptop. It's easy to use and user friendly. It's been a part of my daily life for several years now and I'm sad that Google wants to shut it down. I know that there are alternatives but that means more work. Call me lazy or unwilling to change but if it ain't broke, why is there a need to make it go away?
Some folks keep saying that "blogs are dead." I don't find that to be the case at all. Blogs are where you find the human touch that's missing from facebook, tumblr, twitter, etc... From blogs, you get more of an insight into the person behind the blog banner (at least, I find that to be the case with the many blogs that I read.) I often find that when a favorite blogger doesn't post, I start to wonder if they're okay and what's going on. Like a newspaper, I read my blogs seven days a week. Sure, I have some blogs that I just look at the photos but there are several that I enjoy reading and clicking their links and seeing what they are sharing with us. I appreciate them even when I'm just quietly lurking (though I do comment occasionally to let them know that their posts are read and appreciated.)
I had someone (whom I had just met) recently tell me that I was very different in person than I am on my blog. I was shocked. I still don't understand what she meant and I'm kicking myself for not asking her. I always try to be honest and open in my blog (just like I am in real life.) I go for the "what you see is what you get" aspect. You see me both in person and on my blog in all of my imperfections, goofiness and blunt honesty. You might miss seeing the clumsy me on my blog, but it's there. Trust me.
I share on my blog because I'm after that connection that we're all out to find. I find that I often ignore facebook and twitter but nary a day goes by when I don't read my blogs.
I also LOVE posting on my blog. I like sharing my pages. I post my pages (ALL of them) to encourage others that if I can do it, so can you (I LOVE it when others are encouraged and post links to their own blog pages that may have been inspired by something that I have posted.) Teaching is a very important part of my life and while I try to post about my classes often (as it is an integral part of my life), my blog is not just an advertisement for the classes that I have to offer. I share me on the blog: what's going on in my life be it traveling to a class or something heavier. I always enjoy sharing what I find with you in my travels (be it books or art supplies or even a favorite film.) I don't censor my journal pages at all nor do I censor my blog posts. What you see is what you get. Ask me a question and I'll answer it as best as I can. I don't have all of the answers (I'm always still looking and digging deep) but I know (or at least I think I do) what works best for me.
I know that I love blogging and reading blogs and I really hope that they're not going away any time soon. Thanks for reading this and for being a part of my journey.
Comments
And like you I love blogs - they aren't dead, that's ridiculous. Millions of people blog for the reasons you just gave and more. I like blogging because it gives me a place to write as well as post images and as you say, I connect with people through blogging. I don't like FB, I use twitter, but I make a point of connecting with people on it, and most of the people I tweet with are physically local to me, though we haven't met in person. I want connections, and blogging gives me that more than any other platform.
I signed the petition, though I don't think it'll help - it's all about the bottom line after all.
Blogs are dead? Not in my universe.
I totally agree with you about blogs. FB is phony to think people really imagine these strangers are friends and self worth is counted by how many people friended you. It was a great communications devise unfortunately is now another advertising outlet. love blogs and their view into other lives.
Blogs are not dead or dying to most of us.
:)
patq
I enjoy the sense of connecting on blog's. Getting to know the person and getting to build relationships with some people over time.
Thank you for sharing on your blog. I am often inspired by how open you are about creating your pages.
I love blogs. I feel exactly the same way when folks don't blog for a while.