Writing Footle: Why Blog?

I'm certainly not the first person to tackle this topic, and I won't be the last. But as blogging has now become my profession as well as a personal habit, I feel it necessary to take a look at the reasons (individual, rather than commercial, for the most part) why blogging has such appeal.

Firstly there's the diary element. Who didn't rip open a new, pretty notebook as a child and start scribbling? I still have the effervescent effluent of many years of tortured adolescence. I still keep a diary on occasion, irritated by the fact that my Moleskine notebook isn't full of only exquisite black ink because sometimes the compulsion to scribble comes with a red pen. Having somewhere to marshal your thoughts is the only one-on-one outlet some people get in their busy lives. For me, it's a necessity, since every day I find myself describing people and places in my head - if I haven't literally or metaphorically written it down, I don't remember it.

Secondly there's the sense of individual opinion and the double-edged sword of public perception. Even commercial blogs are inclined to be more independent than, for example, print media. Yes, there are sponsors and advertisers and PR people, but for the most part blogging is about opinion, and even within an organisation disagreement, debate and discussion are encouraged. Public feedback is both the most rewarding and most crippling element of all. How wonderful to learn that Ada in New Brunswick loved your analysis of a social trend; how disheartening that Julie in Coventry thought it puerile and simplistic. In your reaction to your commentary, you find your strength. The day you learn to write off blistering, envious negativity without a second thought whilst at the same time absorbing positive, constructive criticism is the day you have come of blogging age.

Mostly, though, it seems to me that blogging, be it personal or community (as, for example, with PostSecret), is supreme self-indulgence. It's the absolute result of a media which no longer looks to the spokesperson and the institutions, but to the individual and to everyone. A world which tolerates Big Brother must include the opinions of its viewers, detractors, admirers, critics, analysts and contestants. What better way to justify any statement than to label it an "opinion" - that poor thing we abuse so much in the name of our prejudices. One of the strengths of journalistic blogging is that it does, at least, inspire both integrity and forethought in its participants. Knowing that you've got the freedom to differ on points of interest from your colleagues is wonderful thing, but the responsibility that comes with being a member of the press is the necessity to research, support and justify your conclusions. Leaving aside that these are basic prerequisites for calling yourself a "journalist", it's just a simple precaution: being a "professional", you've got an even bigger troll target marked on your chest than most.

Why blog? Because it's the perfect marriage of thought and superficiality and therefore teaches that most excellent skill (undoubtedly missing as I ramble on here), the concise presentation of a thought or idea. You can (professional constraints excepted) go as in depth, analytical and long-winded as you like, but, with a few exceptions, no-one will read it. So you're forced to quickly, intelligently acquaint yourself with the hills and valleys of your IQ, and write an eloquent summary of your point. It's the perfect arena for those who did well in those school debating competitions.

And with that, Speaker, I rest.