My Liberal Identity:
You are a Reality-Based Intellectualist, also known as the liberal elite. You are a proud member of what’s known as the reality-based community, where science, reason, and non-Jesus-based thought reign supreme.
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Blogging Is Its Own Reward
I've belonged to Blog Catalog, a blog bookmarking site, for about a month now and I've noticed several generic-type blogs there that seem to exist for the sole purpose of making money. Such blogs have little to no content that indicates the blogger's personality or interests.
Also, I've seen a related type of blogger who seems mainly interested in statistics: hits, increasing their ranking in blog clearinghouse sites like Blog Catalog, comments, etc. They offer to read and comment on your blog in exchange for you doing the same, and don't seem to care whether their visitors have a true interest in their blog's contents, just so long as it drives up the statistics and rankings.
Don't get me wrong -- I am pleased to see a lot of visitors on my blog and I cherish the comments I get. But because I don't do much "shameless promotion" of my blog, the hits and comments I get are from people who are truly interested in what I've got to say and their interaction on my blog isn't solely motivated by a desire to increase statistics on their own blog. Indeed, I'm a bit disappointed when I encounter people on my blog who are thus motivated.
I joined Blog Catalog mainly to find other blogs that I'm truly interested in reading, hoping others would likewise find my blog interesting. Though I'll add nearly anyone to my friends list there who asks, only those blogs I'm actually interested in and/or who were my friends before I joined Blog Catalog go in my neighborhood.
I've never made a dime off any of my blogs and though I'd not ever turn down any money offered, it's not my motivation for blogging. One of my prime motivations is to make people think of things in ways they might never have considered before, particularly in the realm of sexual ethics. From the unsolicited emails I get, I see that I am doing just that and one such email means more to me than any money I could make or getting a top blogger award.
Plus, blogging is just plain fun. I've met lots of like-minded people while blogging, while also making friends with and gaining understanding of those who have a different view of the world.
How about you? Why do you blog and what do you see as your most valuable "reward" from doing so? Do you belong to any blog bookmarking sites and, if so, why?
I'm right there with you. I think it's a little bit sad when people do the
ti-for-tat comment. I do like to leave a comment on sites I frequent so
that the blogger gets feedback.
I think much like you. Last year when I was down and out and not blogging,
I missed the small group of friends here. I often thought of You, Sophmom,
Paula, the Capt and others. We each have our different take on life and
appreciate each others opinions. I remember a time when my biggest fear
was that someone would read something I wrote. One of the saddest things
I did was to burn a box of my writings years back. Blogging and people I
have met like you have helped me to get rid of that fear. I truly enjoy
and appreciate my friends here.
I'd also like to say I usually do leave comments on others blogs when I
visit. I ve recently run across a couple real nice ones at wordpress.
I'm doing it for the fame and fortune...
Making money from my blog would just never enter my mind. For me it is an
outlet. A place where I can exhale, vent, techno vomit. I like the
community. I like comments and I like reading and commenting on other's
blogs. Coming here is a real nice stop in my day. And you are so right.
It is absolutely it's own reward. Great post.
I blog because I'm opinionated and can't shut up.
Paula got me started about a year or so ago. It's all her fault.
