On Sincerity and Blogs

Having just disclosed the address of this blog to a “real-life friend,” I found this “Weblog Manifesto” to be incredibly accurate to the feelings that surround such a thing. Interestingly enough, the name of the blog is “Undisclosed Location,” which I think is just brilliant. And I have no idea who the guy is that writes it.

Why is it so odd to share raw emotions in person the way we do over the internet? I write all this stuff, publicly available to the whole world, and yet when a friend who knows me well asks for the address, I stop and do a mental inventory of everything I’ve ever said. Is it OK for someone who has interacted with me in person to read this stuff?

Why wouldn’t that be the case? It’s not like I’m gossiping. Maybe it’s because blog entries talk about my emotions regarding people I really interact with. It’s like talking behind their backs.

Well, here you go, my librarian barista friend. This is my online self. Even if I don’t know yours.

Posted in life

3 Comments

  • Roger
    It's just easier to share your feelings with people you don't have to look in the eye.
  • Racheal
    I concur with Roger. I would add that the internet fosters pseudo vulnerability. I don't think it's neccessarily good or bad. I think it depends on it's place in our lives. For example, there are a few girls who were in the youth group that I was a leader of a couple of years back, who are now in college, that I have been able to build friendships with through our blogs.
  • SillyJoe
    Yeah, I always get a little queasy when my "real life friends" find my blog...I'm like "okay...have I mentioned him? have I said anything about her?" But it's really easy to blog about things, especially when you can tell yourself "ah, noone will probably read this anyway..." but nothing is ever out of the reach of anyone...just a mere search for your name will bring up all sorts of stuff about you..that you don't even know exists on the internet.

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