stantheman88k

Web logs, the last thing I thought my English 102 class would focus on when registering for classes. In the beginning I was skeptical, having never been a fanatic of computers to begin with. For crying out loud, I have a tough enough time with facebook and myspace. But I gave it a shot, besides I'm going to have to learn sometime. Web logs are not the typical form of literature we learned previously in school. The best way I can explain a web log is its a website people with access to the internet can join and express their thoughts, feelings, and opinions to those willing to read it. It also allows for people to discuss topics and comment on others writings. They make the internet more personal, rather than simply reading others work, people can write their own and discuss others. With the vast popularity of the internet, they are becoming more powerful and accepted among the literature community.

So I’m supposed to write about web logs and how they affect me as a writer. Let me start out by explaining how computer illiterate I really am. Put a hammer or a socket wrench in my hand and I’m right at home. But placing me in front of a computer screen is the equivalent of me sitting in traffic, I don‘t really get anywhere, and in the process there is usually an excess of cussing, sometimes words that I’ve never even heard in combination before. It like I have a gene that prohibits me from keeping up with the advancements in technology. As I worked more with blogging I became more and more acclimated and accustomed to it, thus the more interested I became.

Blogs are a completely different breed of writing. The conventional forms of literature allow for only commonly accepted styles of writing. Blogs give a way for writers to express what they wish and how the wish. They need not worry about formatting or even grammar, they are free to write how they please. The possibilities of what a web log can be written about are endless. One can write about their day, current events, cooking recipes, poetry, opinion, etc... Web logs give people not only the opportunity to post writings for others to read, but also discussion, and even commentary of blogs. The downfall is the possibility that without the conventional bounds of writing, bloggers may develop sloppy writing habits. Its similar to the use or disuse aspect of evolution. By not using writing techniques or following format, there is a possibility that we may lose these skills. Publishing a work is a long and arduous process, and acquiring an audience isn’t always easy. There is editing that has to be done, it costs money (which one may or may not make back), and simply publishing a book doesn’t guarantee that anyone will actually read it. Blogs are a quick and convenient way to get ones words out. Just a few clicks of a mouse and its available for the world to see, and allows for feedback from others just as quickly and easily.

Everything aside, web logs are in a literary category all their own. Anyone can post a blog, read blogs, and even comment on blogs. No longer is the literary community limited to those with access to publishing their work. Blogs give the opportunity to be a writer to just about anyone. There are no limits (within reason of coarse) to what someone can write, whether anyone wants to read it or not. Web logs are growing due to the influence of the internet today, they can benefit anyone wanting to get their point across, from companies to the average Joe.

 In pondering what to do with with my life at the moment I have realized I am doing everything I can for the here and now.  Like all of us, I am going to UT ultimately for my future, but enjoying the time I have here.  Here is a little background on myself.  I am a freshman at UT obviously majoring in mechanical engineering, which by the way don't ever major in- you WILL regret it!  I am origninally from new yersey, but got out of the city not long after the 9-11 attacks.  My family and I didn't move out of fear of the attacks, we moved because of the downward spiral my town was enduring at the time.  Everyone and everything seemed dark and gray.  No one felt safe!  We all felt a sense of pride in our country and those serving our country.  But even so, pride can only go so far.  I can see my family and friends, including myself just falling apart at the seems.  The market declined, jobs were lost, crime was rising in my town, and we didn't want to go down the same road as everyone else.  So in a random twist of fate, we decided to move to nashville. Never been to tennessee before then, but figured it was worth a shot.  This decision (my fathers decision), was apparently the best one he could have ever made.