I Blog For Comments

Dale writes: "How interesting that there are conferences on blogging. I never would have thought that. It is clear that bloggers receive something very positive from blogging, and do not do it just as a public service to educate or entertain their readers! I am curious as to what personal benefits you receive from the act of blogging. Perhaps you might tell us?"

Why I Blog 1. My original reason for starting a blog was to keep in touch with friends and family when I moved from New York to India. Blogging was the perfect way to keep everyone in the loop, all at once. I hate writing the same thing over and over again on 15 postcards!

Parasailing

Varanasi women

2. I blog to share my passions: photography and writing. Without a blog, my photographs might be gathering dust in an album somewhere. With a blog, I get pats on the back, and lots of encouragement to continue my passion!

3. I blog for comments . Yep, it's true. There is nothing like getting a comment from the unseen audience out there to motivate me to post again. A comment is the equivalent of a friendly letter in the mail - and who doesn't like getting those? So keep them coming!

Tykes on Bikes

4. I blog because life amazes me sometimes, and I want to share the amazing. 5. I blog because it's a very non-intrusive form of communication. I write when I feel like it. You read when you feel like it. Unlike phones, which are always buzzing, angrily demanding my attention when I least want to give it.

6. I blog because it widens my world. I love the thought that somewhere across the oceans, a person I have never met (and may never meet) is getting a kick out of something I wrote or a picture I captured. Mary from Georgia. Polish anthropology student Marzena. Sande from Oakland.

7. I blog because it forces me to articulate my thoughts. Sometimes, I don't know what I think, until I write it down. Examine it. Critique it. Sometimes what comes out in a blog surprises me. The act of translating thoughts into words forces me to be precise, to formulate my opinions.

Salt in the making

8. I blog because I learn new things that way. My ideal life would be spent doing nothing but learning. Blogging helps me do that. Placing information on a blog makes me very conscious of being accurate. Instead of just admiring a photograph I captured of two unidentified insects on a flower, it prompts me to write to an entomology lab to figure out what those insects were, and what they were doing. Gets those synapses firing!

9. I blog because it's a way to record my personal history. In India Ink, I have a rich documentary of three years of living outside of my comfort zone. Sure, I could just keep a personal journal. But it's like quitting smoking or losing weight -- once you've told someone about it, you've raised expectations, and you're far more likely to stay with it.

10. I blog to capture the fleeting. That tiny, seemingly insignificant wisp of a moment, which would quickly fade away if not captured in word or picture.

11. As blogger Stephanie Klein once said, "I blog to clear my throat." Sometimes, it's as simple as that.

Comments

[Sheila]

Those are wonderful reasons. Who knew there would be so many! When you said you'd think about it and get back to us, you really meant it!

[Basia]

I'm a woman of my word, Sheila! (Welcome back...)

[Dale B.]

That's a wonderful and thoughtful list of motivations to blog (and I, too, thought you would never get back to the question!). Besides some of your own special reasons for blogging, it sounds like blogging also fulfills many universal human needs. The evolved brain soothed by modern technology--cool! I bet someone is doing a Ph.D. dissertation on it right now.

Thank you for taking the inquiry seriously. I am sure readers have greater understanding now, and a bit less guilt for reading, enjoying, and not paying!

[kevin g]

That was certainly an interesting read. I think all of us who blog do live for comments, as it further defines us in our world. I enjoy the prespective you bring from continents away from me, and agree with Ms. Klein's comment, sometimes my enteries are just me clearing my mind.

[Shannon]

That was a great piece of writing- even accentuated with pictures to illustrate your purpose!

[not really important]

very thoughtful response, like always

[Shobha]

HI Basia, you have offered well thoughtout reasons for blogging. I particularly liked your statement- my ideal life would be learning, it's so true- the more you learn -the more you realize how ignorant you are of so many things in this world. Keep blogging away.
cheers
Shobha

[John L]

Basia, thanks for keeping this up. I am guilty of doing a lot of reading and hardly any commenting, so your current story is compelling me to leave a response. Your stories are always fascinating and enjoyable. Take care! John L.

[Amy]

Basia, your blog is the first I have been exposed to and I find myself eagerly awaiting your new entries. While you are living "outside your comfort zone", you are exposing the rest of us to experiences that we may never have the chance to live through. Thanks for not only striving to learn new things, but passing that knowledge on to the rest of us.

[Basia]

Thanks for all the nice comments, everyone! It's wonderful finding out who is still in the audience. Who knew that if I wanted more comments, all I had to do was ask? ;o)

Shobha - you are the Mumbai Shobha, not the Chennai Shobha, yes?

[Dale B.]

John's right--your stories are always fascinating. So if you don't always get comments, it is not a matter of indifference. Sometimes, it's just the feeling that one cannot add anything particularly useful.

[clundeen]

And I'm so grateful that you're blogging! Not only is your writing envigorating but your photos tantalize me. I'm stuck here in Rochester at the moment, but India will be way up on my TO DO list thanks to your Blog!!

[Wanda Sklodowska]

Cześć Basiu!
Jestem chyba jedyna osobą, która pisze po polsku.W mojej rodzinie mówiło się o Tobie, że jesteś mniej kontaktowa niż Danusia,że jesteś typem introwertyczki.Kto to mówił? Tego nie pamiętam,może babcia Broncia,może ciocia Kostrowa, a może mój ojciec? Tylko, że teraz gdy Cię czytam,to myslę, że jesteś całkiem inna.I kontaktowa i zdecydowanie nie introwertyczka.Historia o rosole była taka,że strasznie nie lubiłaś go jeść,a rodzice zmuszali Cię (w trosce o Twoje zdrowie)i zawsze było z tym zmieszanie.Rosół to rodzaj zupy popularny w Polsce i ponoć bardzo zdrowy. Miło mi, że się odezwałaś.Pozdrawiam - Wanda Skłodowska

[LELAND GUSTAFSON]

This is the first time I have read a blog. I found you wishing for a hot bath as you suffered on your trek to Mt Everest. You have a real gift for life and am so glad for just a few moments I was able to share it with you. I wish you much fun, love and success.

Leland Gustafson - Retired economics professor - University of West Georgia - Carrollton, GA USA.

[Basia]

Leland: Glad to hear your first blog experience was a positive one! It's always a pleasure to hear kind words from my readers. I notice from your site that you are organizing a tour to New Zealand. One of my favorite places on earth...I'm sure everyone in your group will enjoy it-

[Jeffrey]

Your blog is useful to me because I am also planning a move to India (Bombay). Your stories help me to anticipate what we may experience. Your stories about unpleasant experiences are especially helpful. Please spare us no detail!

[Basia]

Jeffrey: Glad to hear it...will you be doing a blog? I'd be interested in reading about your experiences.

[Jeffrey]

Nice "blog-life-view" :)

[sasirekha]

that's great for others to tell their view visit http://www.bpojobsathome.com

[Christine Kowalski]

#10 is my favorite. A piece of time that will never be duplicated.

[Basia]

Christine: Those ephemeral moments are some of the sweetest. Welcome to the blog, Christine. (Fellow Pole?)

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