Why we blog

The article “Why we blog” brings up common motivational factors found by a sample of blog users form California and New York. The study compiled a list of five factors that most influence why we blog; documentation of one's life, expression of deeply felt emotions; articulating ideas through writing; and forming and maintaining community forums. I have most commonly seen blogs for the purpose of documenting one's life and providing commentary and opinions. I have social media accounts that serve similar purposes to a blog, but the rise in actual blogs - not websites or personal pages – has sparked my interest in a few of my “friends” blogs which they shared a link to via twitter, facebook, etc. I only keep up with one particular blog which is a cause-related outlet for a recent App State graduate who expresses her opinions and comments on mental illness in her blog. “Why we blog” states some individuals blog as a muse; a way to test their thoughts and writings on an audience that the author can collect feedback by comments, page views, etc., from. This stuck out to me because I have recently seen friends' poetry on blog sites that they maintain and I think it is a great way to get confident in your ability to write and express personal opinions. I am interested to see how the blogging world evolves as I begin my first blog.