Discussing Andrew Sullivan's "Why I Blog"

In his article “Why I Blog” Andrew Sullivan discusses the reasons why he blogs and how he believes that blogging contributes to the society as a whole. He describes blogging in many different ways but always sticking to the idea that blogging is very “free-form” and “conversational”. Blogging provides a connection between those who write about the information and those who read about it turning the writing into an almost collaborative notion. Blogging also provides a form of writing that is instantaneously available to the public, and constantly updating itself. Readers are able to follow a writer’s process and how his opinions and ideas change over time, creating a more narrative form of writing. This allows a closeness to the author that most readers are not able to obtain in other forms of writing.

I believe that the main reason that Sullivan was giving for blogging was that it provides a more connected reading and writing experience. With today’s technology being used to connect people all across the globe, blogging provides a medium for all of these people to communicate with each other and to share ideas. This creates a great contrast with the more typical forms of writing in which both the author and the readers are unknown to each other and therefore dependent on a stranger. Blogging creates a closer connection because opinions are shared, especially around very important events, revealing personal information both about the author and the reader. As Sullivan put it, "It renders a writer and a reader not just connected but linked in a visceral, personal way." This creates a bond that cannot be created without the “closeness” that the Internet provides. Although not replacing traditional forms of writing, blogging is becoming a new way to connect people and share ideas creating a more socially aware society.