November 15, 2003

Overexamined life?

Rayne Today

Scott Simon on NPR this morning describes blogging as a type of diary; he says while it may be right that an unexamined life is not worth living, an overexamined life is not worth reading. (Granted, he's been reading posts by a blogger extolling the virtues of eating toast...)

I disagree with Scott; blogging is NOT merely mundane reading nor merely a personal diary. It can be either or both, but the most interesting blogs are those which are conversations, those which encourage thought and insist on discussion amongst its readers, if not between the blogger and readers.

Sure, the blogosphere is littered with the pap of 16-year-olds venting their spleen about a myriad of trite and venal topics or the fluff of bored, navel-gazing adults. But you're here, reading this, and not diarists' detritus; you're here because you're looking to dine on food for thought and participate in "after dinner" communication.

Or am I wrong and is Scott Simon entirely right? Tell me, I'm all ears.

Posted by rayne at November 15, 2003 6:56 AM
Comments

Right on, Rayne. I heard Scott this morning while I was taking my car to the dealership and I have to say, he's dead wrong on this. If you go looking for crap, you can find it. But that doesn't negate all of the great bloggers out there.

Posted by: Dast at November 15, 2003 8:48 AM

I totally agree with you, Rayne. Scott Simon is just reading the wrong blogs.

Posted by: Neva at November 15, 2003 8:55 AM

I consider my blog a tool to entertain myself and, hopefully, others.

Posted by: Harald at November 15, 2003 12:10 PM
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