Blogging Renescience
I feel like blogs are having a bit of a renaissance moment. Maybe it’s just something I’ve rediscovered over the past year, but it doesn’t feel like it’s just a personal observation.
Why Blogging?
In the age of social media, what’s the appeal of having your own blog?
Portability
Blogging provides a portable platform for your thoughts, ideas, and experiences. Use WordPress. If you don’t like it, you can easily export and import your data to Ghost. Get bored of Ghost? Spin up your own Jekyll-based site. The point is, if you don’t like the platform, you can move to another one. You can do so without waiting for a company to process your GDPR request and sift through their custom data structure. None of the modern social media platforms make it this easy to move your data.
Freedom of Speech
If you host your own blog, you have the freedom to post whatever you like. You don’t have to worry about what Zuck or Elon think about your content. Sure, you might need to switch hosting companies depending on their terms and conditions, but you can always move. You could even host your own server (though I wouldn’t recommend that route). You have far more freedom on your own blog than on a social media site.
Free From Algorithms
As much joy and value as we’ve gotten from social media algorithms over the past decade, it feels like we’ve lost some of the fun too. Maybe the web has lost the human touch. Blogging feels more personal. It’s a chance to share thoughts, feelings, and experiences in a way that’s not about attracting mass attention. I’m just tossing an idea out there, and if no one reads it, that’s okay. The act of writing is therapeutic. Sometimes my posts jive with the Google algorithm and get views. Most posts just sit on my site, waiting for me to revisit and reflect on what I thought years ago.
Personality
I kinda miss the Myspace days when you could customize your profile with GIFs and glittery cursors. Was it cringe? Yeah, mostly. But who cares! It was fun. Blogs give me that same sense of freedom and personality. Each one is a bit different, and that’s what makes it fun. I think the world could use a bit more fun.
Are You Ready to Join the Club?
If this inspires you to start your own blog, give it a go! I’d recommend starting with WordPress. It’s fast, easy, and simple.
Blogs I Enjoy
If you’re looking for some blogs to read, here are some of my favorites:
