Recently someone I have known almost all of my life reminded me again of blogging. This person, I might add is a far more prolific writer as well as a vastly more interesting mind than mine could ever be. And I have been thinking - why do we blog? Why do we post our life's experiences in a public place? I had ventured in the past, when I was angry with this individual, to comment on his blogs and he tried to ascertain who I was as he does with everyone that comments on his musings and stories. So, why did I write something that someon who knew me could find and identify as my thoughts?
Is it our inherent narcissism? Do we truly believe that whatever we have experienced or have to say has not been said before? Are we 'closet' entertainers? Do we really have such a great desire to make a difference in the world that we believe our thoughts are valuable?
I am reminded of a line from the movie 'Shall we Dance?' - the question is asked: 'Do you know why we get married?' the same person gives the answer - 'To have a witness to our lives.' There are other ways of expressing basically the same thought. We coud say that we want someone who is only ours to look at us and approve of who we are and what we do. Or we could say that we get married or have relationships so that we are not alone.
So, I believe we blog because we want a witness to our lives. So that we can feel less alone even whilst we contend that we enjoy the anonymity. And, this same person who set the thoughts rolling in my mind is indeed one of the most alone people in the midst of a crowd that I know. And an excellent blogger...
As Alanis would say - 'this is in praise of the vulnerable man...'
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