I think there is a misunderstanding among internet folk these days. It may be that even you are unwittingly mistaken.
Is this a blog post? A collection of thoughts from one man regarding a particular topic – a commentary or opinion on the current definition of what it means to blog online. In my estimation, I would not consider this a blog post. Sure, Wikipedia and some collective definition of the word ‘blog’ are sure to disagree with me.
To me, a blog is just that … a web log – a digital journal mapping my meanderings in life – a diary wrapped up in zeroes and ones. And yet, in most online social spheres, to say ‘blog’ would encompass any number of periodical publications on a site – archived resources, tutorial write-ups, critical reviews, opinion pieces, and the like. It would seem blogging has lost its logging.
Blogs
- http://edandcori.blogspot.com
- http://jmrockhill.blogspot.com
- http://dancewithnance.blogspot.com
- http://www.youthencounter.org/blog/posts/all-teams
- http://wmpl.org/story
Not Blogs
- http://dustn.tv
- http://storywarren.com
- http://78p.tv
- http://davidseabaugh.wordpress.com
- http://wptavern.com
The past few days have found me struggling to express my thoughts. With a desire to give words to the mess in my mind, I’ve lost battle after battle to the blank page before me. The distinction I make above is one that will, I hope, free me from the burden of writer’s blockage.
My intake of so-called ‘blog’ articles has been on the rise in recent weeks. I have found myself overloaded with information, ideas, tutorials, and the like. With this overload, has come an urgent sense that I must get out, stop … breathe. For some long time I have known that I must return to regular journaling. This has not happened. And now, as I sit to write, I find myself trying to capture thoughts and craft words that might be proffered to the never satiated masses of the interwebz.
And so now, I must again resolve to blog. To simply write. To let my thoughts pour forth from mind to page. To reclaim the wonder and comfort of the word. And, if I find this not working, then I must maybe take the ‘b’ out of blogging, find a pen and some paper and keep some log of life. It keeps me sane to some degree, I think.
So, this is where I’m at today. Thinking back, I’m quite certain I’d find countless journal entries that began, “It’s been a while …” Well, it’s been a while. I think it’s time to write. I think I’ll find myself using the Private status of WordPress posting quite more often now. And, I don’t know … I suppose I might consider this a blog post of some psuedo- sort, huh?
Joshua, thanks for sharing your thoughts on blogging and for listing my “blog” under “not a blog.” I have often felt the pressure to post more often, but my time schedule doesn’t allow it. Instead, I take the time once per month to craft something that I feel is really helpful for my readers. It’s a rhythm I can handle. I think you are right. It’s less a daily journal of my life and more of a window into my own spiritual maturing. The question is, if it’s not a “blog,” then what do we call it? I wouldn’t mind a new term that actually describes what I’m doing. Hmmmmm…
Yeah, a rhythm of ‘blogging’ is certainly a helpful thing … whatever schedule it might take. I think maybe there should be a third category for something like this post or something like your posts. They really are some sort of pseudo-blog … sitting somewhere in between. Your posts certainly are personal and reflect your current place in life. Yet, they are not so much a log of life as they are a lesson learned (or in the learning) and shared. Not sure what term that might take. I’ve considered it a bit … have to think on it more.