Why Would You Bother With a Blog?

For my first blog, I’d like to introduce myself and how I blog, while recognizing a type of blogging I had never heard of before.

I came across an article in the New York Times during this momentous week about military blogging, or “milblogging.” Military family members, spouses, former servicemen and women, and service men and women currently in combat write these blogs. The blogs are emerging from their underground origins into the mainstream. I think it is interesting that people who take on something first-hand write these blogs versus reporters. It gives us not only insight into their world (or the perspective of a family member) but it allows their service to be kept alive.

The beauty of blogging is that many bloggers write about a cause or specific topic. Their blogs differ from news reports that need to stay recent and are sometimes irrelevant. They also allow for a greater amount of flexible online interaction, commentary, and discursive learning.

What I like about this example is that it gives blogging greater weight than a mere online diary. Blogging is really coming into its own the way it has reached online news sources such as the Times,and most if not all other major news publication websites The term “web log” actually refers to keeping a log of websites you have visited to share with readers, depending on your interests and expertise. Blogging, however, has become a realm for different styles of writing that mirror news reports or are more casual. They take place in the neutral Internet medium and exemplify a freer space for thought and discourse. 

My interest is to use this space as a college student interested in the world. I study media and inevitably, the politics and culture as the backdrop for it. I’m excited to use this space as a way to express my thoughts on current events and what they mean to me and/or students at my university. I want to show you my perspective, whether it’s mainstream or not, and maybe convey a paradigm you never knew or let sink in. Blogging gives me the privilege to interact with and learn from you. Thanks for reading and I hope you join me in my exploration.