Who Do You Blog For?

NOTE: Extreme narccisism and excessive self-interest views contained within this post. Do not proceed if you have been found to be allergic to blog contents of such self-absorbed nature. Consider yourselves forewarned. Proceed with caution.

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I've got a friend who seems to be a little bothered and concerned about the aftereffects of one of her posts. I mean, it's good to reflect upon what you've said. Of course, it is. I do it, too. But sometimes, I find that reflection turns bad when it's no longer for self-improvement but for people-pleasing purposes.


I believe that if you're gonna look back at something you've written (with heart, at that), at least let it be for self-analysis, self-betterment or self-improvement... and NOT for the sake of some idiot who left an equally idiotic comment.


I don't particularly accept the idea of blogging for the masses. I mean, if I'm paid to blog for an online publication or a purely monetising blog, then sure... I'll write whatever it is they want the masses to hear and believe.

But this isn't that kind of blog, now, is it?
This happens to be a PERSONAL blog. MY blog.

So why should I write only what YOU want to hear? Why should I share YOUR thoughts and not MINE? Why speak with YOUR voice and not mine? Why give YOUR opinion and not mine? And why do you even expect me to?

Sigh.

Blogging is narcissistic lah okay.

Let's get that out in the open
and just admit it, alright?

It is.

We blog cos we want somebody – anybody – to hear what we have to say. We want to know that our opinions matter to the people out there... even if they happen to be people we don't even know. But that not-knowing-our-readers deal isn't really a problem, is it? I mean, we've more or less gotten use to the whole concept of writing for a faceless crowd. In fact, when I first started, I used to write without even knowing if I had readers! Haha. It was purely for self-entertainment. That's how couldn't-care-less I was to this whole blogging thing. (Hmmm. Not anymore though. Readership has begun to matter. It pays the bills.)

So my question is this:

Why get all bothered and flustered
when somebody faceless steps forward
and reacts negatively towards
something you've written?

It's YOUR BLOG for crying out loud. So go ahead and write whatever it is you want to write. Who cares what the rest of the world thinks? For all you know, you've probably got 10 nodding heads and one loud lousy 'No'. Don't think that you've messed up just cos all you hear is that 'No'. Lighten up, okay? You've got your opinion, they've got theirs. Agree to disagree and just let it slide.


Personally, I blog because it's my escape. In here is where I clear my head and process my thoughts. It's where I have a license to ramble and rant on whatever it is I want to ramble and rant about – whenever I want, on whatever I want, just cos I wanna. In here, I'm not answerable to anybody but myself. And in here is where my writing is at its purest. Really now, who cares if you don't like what I say? If you think I do, you're wrong. I'm not that nice, nor am I that concerned about your views on my views. I. Don't. Care. So you shouldn't, too.


I already get paid to write stuff I don't necessarily believe in or want to write about on a daily basis. That's my JOB. (Yeah, go figure.) And I make a living out of it. I write to make YOU believe what product and service providers want you to believe (NOW, you know)... and I get paid for doing that!

But blogging isn't like that.
At least Tinki Talks isn't like that.

If I should ever hold back any opinion of mine, believe me when I say that it's for selfish reasons. As much as you're narcissistic, I am, too. So stop thinking that every thing's about you. In here, every thing is about ME.

1. I don't want to be dragged into court for defamation or sedition or be pulled into an ugly lawsuit.

2. I don't want to get hauled out of my home in the dead of the night by the ISA.

3. I don't believe in being mean to minority groups and/or underprivileged individuals.

4. I don't want to offend or hurt the people I actually care and give two-hoots about.

I, me and myself. That's all blogging is about.

And be honest with yourself when you answer me this:
Am I wrong to assume that in MY blog?

I think not.