Blogging Madness: The Answers!

In my last post, I inquired into the reasons why one may blog. The answers are many and as indivisual as as snowflakes. Some are driven by compulsive addiction, some fan the flames of creative desire; there may even be monetary gains. Some are tempted by the very subtle allure of voyerism and exhibition. Dr. John Suler, suggests a similar comparison in what he calls the "the online disinhibition effect". Carl C. Jung once said, "One does not become enlightened by imaging figures of light, but by making the darkness conscious." So in the end, the bottom line is, writing in a blog is a cathartic transcendence and it gives one a forum for interrogation to achieve personal enlightenment.

There are numerous blogs that ask the same questions and all kinds of spins on various angles on the answers that are issuing insights into the probing research. I have chosen three examples which I believe to have the most educational, have the most compelling views and offer the greatest level of insight.

I think the University of Purdue has a very interesting presentation. The site is entitled, What About Blogs? a literature review introducing nascent pedo-blogs to the blogging world by Nicole Converse Livengood.

The University of Minnesota has a wonderful and scholarly collection of essays about blogging. Into the Blogosphere* claims to be the first to compile a mass research collection about blogging. One should remember, that a Google search may not present articles from Universities, as forerunners of a search. Also to note, please notice the date of any article written; as from 1999 to 2006, there have been monumental changes in the blogging world and some articles may be out-of-date.

I would also recommend, The Psychology of Cyberspace a blog maintained by Dr. John Suler a Professor at the University of Rider. Dr. Suler not only examines the many facets of "the psychology of blogging", but explores the addiction process as well. Like Alice through the looking glass, "cyberspace is an extension of the mind".


*This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Dr. Suler's online book,
The Psychology of Blogging, is also downloadable for free and is released under a Creative Common License as well.

Brassai (Gyula Halasz) "Bijou" of the Montmartre cabarets From "Paris by Night" 1933 © Mme G. Brassai Scan courtsey of Masters of Photography