So, this whole blogging thing is fairly new to me.
Of course, I’ve known about blogs the whole time. I’ve read them, read about them and read about how to read about them. But the sheer thought of other people reading what I have to say, (or the more daunting yet likely flip-side; people not reading what I have to say even when it’s there) is undeniably intimidating.
I write for myself all the time, in a notebook made from recycled paper with horrifically under-scaled elephants on the front. I like it this way because my miniature paper elephants are my vault, nobody has to read my incoherent ramblings, and I don’t have to worry that they will.
While this would be a comfortable way to continue into writing oblivion, by some stroke of fate I have been blessed with a passion for writing, which brings me to the initiation of this blog as part of my studies. So here we are, finally reading my panic- stricken , primarily nonsensical stream of consciousness.
The symposium this week helped me to see the merit in blogging, even when I may feel that I have nothing to say. I suppose the real fact of the matter is that if you open up your mind, you WILL find that you DO have something to say. And, shall the unlikely case arise that you are still unsure, this blog gives me a forum to express such doubts and gain insights from others, as blogging is a conversation as much as a soliloquy, as was touched upon in the lecture.
In my attempt to scour the internet for blog-spiration, I stumbled upon the man who sits next to google at the tea party of technology, Jimmy Wales. As co-founder of wikipedia, Jimmy said that “we’ve seen how grassroots journalism by blogs has had an impact at various points politically, as ordinary people have amplified stories that were being ignored by the traditional press.”
Such confidence in the general public to express their opinions gave me some welcome relief. It is support like this from the world wide web hotshots, which creates a mental and online space where we can not only voice our opinions, struggles, learning journeys and daily musings, but have our own little slice of “free media” heaven.
So here we go…. wish me luck
