Webs’ Random Ideas

I’ll start things off with my 2 cents… Blogging to me is an excellent form of communication. I can post something I’m interested about, users can discuss their feelings on the issue, and as the author, I can see what other people think about the same issues that interest me.

My motives tend to be altruistic in the sense that I don’t think all my ideas are 100% and the best way to formulate an understanding of something is to get collective input. At least this is how I feel. So even if my post comes off as THIS IS THE WAY AND THERE IS NO OTHER, that is not really my intent.

Sometimes the line bleeds between altruistic and narcissistic and to me that seems to be a natural consequence of any journaling by the author. In other words, a journal is the thoughts of the author, so how can it not be a little narcissistic?

That aside, I try to keep my topics altruistic in nature, in the sense that I like posting on topics that helps others in some way. If I can make someone else think or learn something, that is wonderful. If I can help someone, that is even better. As a teacher I loved watching light bulbs turn on, partly the reason I enjoyed my stint at teaching.

How about you? Why do you blog? If you don’t blog, what attracts you to reading them? What kind of person blogs? Is blogging narcissistic, altruistic, both, or is there a fine line between them?

My brother just started a blog on his website Thought Folder. Pretty good so far and interesting as he is using statically driven content rather than dynamic like mine. Which is tech talk for I have a database and he doesn’t… It’s an interesting way to blog for someone that would not make use of all the crap I have on my blog.

In his first post he explains his setup and gets pretty technical right away (something a geek like me can relate to). But he also starts off with an interesting point:

I never thought I would be a blogger. It seemed so narcissitic to me, but I have come across a lot of useful information or cool ideas on people’s blogs.

Essentially he’s right. You become a blogger because you not only like to read what you write, but because you like to share your ideas with others. Some say narcissistic, others may say altruistic. I think the answer lies somewhere in the middle for the majority.

For me I like to use my blog to help others and share what I find interesting. My motives are more altruistic than narcissistic.

Good luck brother and enjoy your writings!