Okay, how crazy IS putting out an on-line journal?--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), July 06, 2000

Answers

I don't think online journals are crazy. I have an online journal where I reveal a lot of personal information to the readers that I have. For me, a personal journal means several things to me: I can relate with others online as they can relate to me and the problems I might be talking about in the journal. I also learn how to become a better writer by recording events of my days. And also, ten years from now I want to be able to look back upon my life to see how far I've come. I also want to learn from my mistakes. Recording them in a journal -- an online journal -- makes it so much easier to view the past mistakes that have been made. It rationalizes my so called life.



-- Meghan (meghlcl@aol.com), July 06, 2000.

It seems sane surely. After surfing the net and being drawn to journals, reading them, gradually posting on some of the forums - - and paying attention to the ebb and flow of discussion I was finally struck by the realization, By Golly I are one too ! I realized that I had things to say and avenues to explore and with the encouragement of kind journalists the trepidatious move was made by me. I have learned a lot over the six month life of the "Wondering Jew" and I am sure of at least three or four constant readers who make comments to me regarding something or other I have written. Diary-ation is not confined to one nation, nor race but I think a common urge to, "put it down on paper," is not to be disregarded. If journaling is crazy - - - prepare my padded cell, cause I am headed home. http://bastion.diaryland.com

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), July 06, 2000.

Okay, let me be the first to differ, but having an online journal, in my book, IS a bit crazy.

When some people have found out about my journal they think I'm nuts. "How could you?" "And why?!"

Online journalists, HAVE to have an exhibitionist streak in them in order to do this. They HAVE to. Or else having a journal online would be fulfill nothing.

Even people who have personal websites on the web are wanting one thing: an audience. If they weren't they wouldn't put up a page for all the world to see, or even just a few.

I don't think I'm crazy for having an online journal...but then again I don't confess or reveal EVERYTHING.. now THAT would be crazy... (and probably alittle dangerous). But then we are all in this thing together.. we are a community... a kindred bunch... and maybe even a little odd.

But I like being odd. I like being different.

WAVES.

-- Katie (missmermaid@hotmail.com), July 06, 2000.

I think you can be writing for an audience without being an exhibitionist. I've kept a personal journal for thirteen years, since I was twelve years old. When I first started it, it was for my English class. It's fun to go back and read the stilted first few entries, when I knew my teacher was going to be reading it. After it became my OWN, I wrote in an entirely different way. Writing for an audience is a different animal. With an online journal, even if no one ever reads it, it's out there, and there's a possibility someone will see it. So you write with a little more pizazz, and you pay a little more attention to it, to the style and the craft. Doesn't seem too crazy to me, unless you somehow manage to lose your job or hurt a friend or family member.

-- Julie V (vandenboom@msn.com), July 06, 2000.

I guess it depends. I think we all have read the SALON article about folks that have had their journals used against them in courts of law or lost their jobs. Naturally, that's the exception, rather than the rule. One thing that would bother me is the contact with the reader - the e-mail. I've seen great flame wars that are legend. Of course, it's simple to say that all you have to do is hit the delete key - but is it that simple. A journal should be a responsible piece of work, in other words, don't hurt the ones you love. So, for the most part, I can see great benefit to maintaining a journal for myself as a learning, growing, healing tool of thought. I don't keep one, by the way.

-- Planet Earth (imagine@industrial-ideas.com), July 12, 2000.