For myself, blogging is a hobby. Managing an infinitesimal space on the web where I could doll up and publish my own works. A community where I could keep in touch with friends, find out what they have been up to, and of course, to bitch.
I'm sure most bloggers fall into the same category as me. However in recent months, many Singaporeans seem to be using their blogs to gain cyber-fame and/or notoriety. But that shouldn't come as a surprise.
After all, Blogger has been to publishing what Napster was to music.
Online diaries are flooded with quips and arguments that only months ago were the near-monopoly of established news outlets like the Straits Times. One only has to look at the NKF saga to see the colossal amount of influence that blogging possess.
Thenceforth, it is no wonder many people see blogging as a lucrative pursuit. A consummate example would be Xiaxue. She leveraged her popular blog to get T-shirt endorsements and a weekly newspaper column.
I have no issues with that. I respect and admire her achievements as a blogger.
But what irks me is the things popular bloggers like Xiaxue would do to see their hit counters jump exponentially. SarongPartyGirl bared more than her feelings to pretty much the whole world. Sandralicious advertised online for a blind-date.
That's cheap marketing really.
But the final straw came when I visited Xiaxue's blog a couple of days after reading that her blog has been hacked.
Initially, I was pretty sympathetic, but I got pretty amused and amazed when I saw her posting pictures of herself posing happily at the police station where she filed the hacking crime.
WHY ON EARTH WOULD SOMEONE BRING A CAMERA TO TAKE PICTURES AT A POLICE STATION WHILE REPORTING A CRIME??!!!
You may say that that's her way of showing the hacker and readers that she is back stronger than ever. BUT the impression which I get is that bloggers like her lead a pretty sad life.
They are secretly happy that something unfortunate has happened because this actually gives them something juicy to write about. They go out so that there's something "bloggable" to blog about. They take pictures so that they can post them on their blogs...
That is quite sad isn't it?
Blogging is supposed to allow you to let out your exhibitionist tendencies without fear of embarrassment. You should be more honest because you are one step removed from from the face to face interaction process of everyday life.
Yet, these bloggers seem to be pressured to live the lives fitting of their blog personas.
Well, here's my 2-cents worth: Blogging is actually alot like going to school.
There are two reasons why people go to school. Some people go to school because they want to get an education and do well in exams.
But others go to school for the sake of going to school.
Do you blog for the sake of blogging?
Kennyster @
1:21 AM
The Unpretty
Kenny Loh
23
Formerly from Dunman High, VJC and formerly a proud member of the 2SIR 11th mono Alpha Company Apache warriors.
Currenly a 3rd year student at the Singapore Management University.
I'm into books, pool, soccer & conversation (by day), justice, honour & vengeance (by night).
Constantly on the lookout for crimelords, deformed megalomaniacs and women.
