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[ero_guro_phile]

I was thinking a little bit ago about the role of blogging for the individuals involved both in its production and consumption.  Do we write entries in these journals out of a great desire to express something of ourselves, to transmit information we feel other people need, to promote ourselves as points of interest or possible friends?  Do we

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[amanda_mary]

I've considered, on many occasions, the purpose of me maintaining a journal in this public (or semi-public) environment, as I've noticed that many people who use spaces like this grow disenchanted with them over time.

For me, having this journal has allowed me to keep in contact -- or even reconnect -- with friends from "the past," while discovering more about them, and allowing them to discover more about me (although, admittedly, only what I choose to present; but that is the case with any form of interpersonal communication, isn't it?) in one fell swoop than they would probably be able to gather from piecemeal conversations (especially because I tend not to be especially locquacious in person). I have also been able to establish friendships (again, limited though they may be) with people I never would have met otherwise, some of whom (Rebecca and Lauren, Jessica, Becca, etcetera) I have been fortunate enough to become friends with "in real life

[ero_guro_phile]

I think the social aspect of these journals is one of the most important components, yes. Certainly I am grateful that, through it, I have had more opportunities to chat with you!

There is a good point to be made about the way memes allow us to bring up topics either too obscure or otherwise not socially permissable in casual context. I find it interesting how often memes address the number of times a person has, for example, committed a felony or seen another person killed. Such entries may be in jest, but I wonder how they fit into the broader discussion of, you know, favorite colors and ice cream flavors.