Blogs vs. Journals

[Azrael52]

Why is it ok for a guy to have a Blog, but he's a "sissy" for having a journal?

[Ed Cunard]

Hey now.

I have a blog and I'm a sissy. What about me?

[Azrael52]

Eddie, my boy . . . you are a very special case.












:D

[Lester C.]

I know he doesn’t post much in YABS but what about KevinRoc? He has a live journal rather than a blog. So does WhiteRose but she isn’t a guy so I’m not sure she counts.

[Jeff Brady]

Why is it ok for a guy to have a Blog, but he's a "sissy" for having a journal?

Says who? Whoever says anyone that has a journal is a sissy is an idiot. There is no difference.

[Ed Cunard]

I know he doesn’t post much in YABS but what about KevinRoc? He has a live journal rather than a blog. So does WhiteRose but she isn’t a guy so I’m not sure she counts.

They're really just the same thing, though. The only difference is that LiveJournal gives you friend options, or something, and the ability to screen who reads what.

It's the people with MySpace we should hit with hammers.

Nerf hammers.

But hammers.

[west3man]

I think blogs and live journals are kinda different - or I see'em differently.

Unfortunately, when I started my blog I knew more bloggers than lj'ers, so I jumped on-board out of convenience. If I hadn't been so pissed, at the time, I'd probably have started an lj.


This is gonna sound odd, but I tend to think that blogs are more for public consumption than lj's. I write for me, so if someone comes along and wants to read what a "blog" with my name on it, they're likely to get something unexpected (and maybe not in a good way). If it were a livejournal, I think people would expect more ranting about every day life and mundane things.

Both are posted online, so the public consumption thing rings kinda hollow, I'm sure. For some reason, I see them differently, though.

[heystacy]

I was told in my youth that "diary" was the "sissy" term. Journal was far more acceptable. Blog and journal usually are the same thing. Never saw journals as the "weaker" term.

[Charles RB]

What is the difference between the two? They're both where you go and freely bitch about stuff online.

[Azrael52]

OOPS! Wasn't clear when I posted the question. I was asking about an actual journal or diary in book form versus a blog online. I've kept 13 to 16 journal/diaries in my life and I was just curious why some macho types frown on this, but are cool with the online thing. Sorry for the confusion.

[heystacy]

That's cause you may be discussing your feelings in them. Guys are looked down upon for their touchy feely moments written down. I guess its a sign of the times if people are accepting blogs more than journals/diary.

[Converge]

guy who has a journal = sissy

guy who has a blog = tool

[TheLyle]

OOPS! Wasn't clear when I posted the question. I was asking about an actual journal or diary in book form versus a blog online. I've kept 13 to 16 journal/diaries in my life and I was just curious why some macho types frown on this, but are cool with the online thing. Sorry for the confusion.

In some cases, blogs are the refuge of would-be pundits who can't be bothered with seeking work as a writer. I'm just glad I have an outlet for my TV ratings analysis, as sad as it is that I do 'em.

[Ed Cunard]

guy who has a sissy = sissy

guy who has a blog = tool

If by "tool," you mean you want to use me...

...

Joe Rice said you were like a younger him, and the old Rice is getting a little portly and squidgy around the edges.

We'll talk.

(Seriously, I think you meant to say "journal" in your first line.)

[heystacy]

I think journals are more private. You can actually name names in your journal without someone bouncing back to "get" you for that biting remark.

Blogs have a more shared aspect. Most are fun to read. Its a great way to exchange thoughts and images. I recently started posting more pictures on my blog. Mainly self portraits. I promised myself I would start taking pictures of locations and posting them as well.

[Converge]

(Seriously, I think you meant to say "journal" in your first line.)

Yeah I did.

And I have an irrational disdain for blogs. Just hearing/saying/typing the word "blog" pisses me off.

And I think this rules: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=banish

[heystacy]

Yeah I did.

And I have an irrational disdain for blogs. Just hearing/saying/typing the word "blog" pisses me off.

And I think this rules: http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=banish


U had a bad experience with blogs?

[Ed Cunard]

U had a bad experience with blogs?

A blogger ate his dog.

...

Ok, it was me.

Sorry.

[Suzanne]

I think journals are more private. You can actually name names in your journal without someone bouncing back to "get" you for that biting remark.

Blogs have a more shared aspect. Most are fun to read. Its a great way to exchange thoughts and images. I recently started posting more pictures on my blog. Mainly self portraits. I promised myself I would start taking pictures of locations and posting them as well.Also, I thnk it's because the word "blog" sounds more manly than "journal" ;) To each their own.

[The Beast Of Yucca Flats]

Deleted after I saw west3man's post.

[heystacy]

Also, I thnk it's because the word "blog" sounds more manly than "journal" ;) To each their own.

I post on my blog.
I keep a journal.
I keep a diary.

I do like blog myself, but again. Diary was always the "worst" when I was younger.

[Dry Observer]

Well, aside from ranting (which I skip) blogs are useful if you've got something to talk about that only about 50 to 100 other people in the world will be interested enough in to read regularly. (Which would explain the rate of new visitors to my site. =) )

Ironically, the quality of the people you get on a small blog -- or discussion group like this one -- may actually be very high. And your handful of readers or board participants may really appreciate the service. But you're not going to garner much attention unless you really grow beyond your micro-niche... while still retaining whatever style or edge earned you your core audience in the first place.

One blogger recently observed that blogs frequently run downhill when the owner basically runs out of things to say. So they start posting pictures of their cat, ranting about their life, etc. And eventually, the original content that drew people in comes less frequently, and the extraneous stuff comes more frequently as people become driven by the imperative to Post Something. He liked getting a little glipse of the blogger's life, he just didn't think this stuff should dominate, say, a technical blog.

Hmm. I'm reminded of how Gail describes keeping her settings fresh -- by reading travel books. It may be that to keep your blog or live journal or column fresh, you need to be constantly inputting new/novel information as well. Data relevant to whatever it is you write about.

Ralph

[Dry Observer]

Oh, and incidentally, keeping a journal is one of the most common elements biographers notice in the lives of particularly notable historical figures. Possibly because the act of expressing one's otherwise unspoken thoughts and perceptions helps the mind further refine those awarenesses, possibly sharpening the overall intellect.

I've often wondered to what degree online blogs/journals and extensive (intelligent) posting to discussion groups duplicates the same effect, if at all.

Ralph

[Phoney Bone]

"Blog" and "journal" are both terms made up buy guys too insecure in their sexuality to just call it what it is... a "diary".

[Shades0077]

"Blog" and "journal" are both terms made up buy guys too insecure in their sexuality to just call it what it is... a "diary".
Well duh. Only girls have diaries.

[TheLyle]

Well, aside from ranting (which I skip) blogs are useful if you've got something to talk about that only about 50 to 100 other people in the world will be interested enough in to read regularly. (Which would explain the rate of new visitors to my site. =) )

Ironically, the quality of the people you get on a small blog -- or discussion group like this one -- may actually be very high. And your handful of readers or board participants may really appreciate the service. But you're not going to garner much attention unless you really grow beyond your micro-niche... while still retaining whatever style or edge earned you your core audience in the first place.

One blogger recently observed that blogs frequently run downhill when the owner basically runs out of things to say. So they start posting pictures of their cat, ranting about their life, etc. And eventually, the original content that drew people in comes less frequently, and the extraneous stuff comes more frequently as people become driven by the imperative to Post Something. He liked getting a little glipse of the blogger's life, he just didn't think this stuff should dominate, say, a technical blog.

Hmm. I'm reminded of how Gail describes keeping her settings fresh -- by reading travel books. It may be that to keep your blog or live journal or column fresh, you need to be constantly inputting new/novel information as well. Data relevant to whatever it is you write about.

IMO there are several dangers to a blog. I think the biggest one is "selling out" which is easy to do. It starts with looking at your hit count and letting that number affect your ego (no matter how much you say you're doing it for yourself) at which point you start wondering what you could do to get more notice. Then you look at those blogs with ads and think how nice it would be to get some revenue doing something you enjoy. You have to constantly remind youself why you're into blogging.

As for running out of things to say, that's always a challenge. Over time it gets harder not to say something you've already said. It helps to discuss recent events, but even then if your reaction to something recent is the same as a similar event prior, you've got to find a way to state it more interestingly. Also, there's the pressure to either post quickly or to find something to say that hasn't been said elsewhere.

I think I notice food bloggers running out of steam most often. That makes sense to me since, once you start exploring the food blogosphere as a participant, it becomes more of a struggle to write about food in ways that sound interesting.

Overall, it helps if you already write (like on message boards) and if there's a topic (or two or three) where you've some expertise.

[Dry Observer]

Good points, Lyle. Oddly, in my own area (tech/etc related to superhuman potential) I usually have way too much to write about, but that's because I defined a seemingly narrow area in a very broad way.

That, and hardly anybody knowledgeable in one corner of the field seems to know what anyone else is doing, or if they do, it's in one other very narrow slice of the pie.

My main problem is blogging too much on my subject, not too little. =)

Ralph

[Jeff Brady]

Oh, and incidentally, keeping a journal is one of the most common elements biographers notice in the lives of particularly notable historical figures. Possibly because the act of expressing one's otherwise unspoken thoughts and perceptions helps the mind further refine those awarenesses, possibly sharpening the overall intellect.

I've often wondered to what degree online blogs/journals and extensive (intelligent) posting to discussion groups duplicates the same effect, if at all.

Ralph

Journal writing is an introspective activity. Contemplating one's own actions and learning from them is a learning experience. It can also be theraputic. With both the blog & being at CBR, I've learned WAY more than I would have without them.

[Phoney Bone]

Well duh. Only girls have diaries.

... and sissies.