In Blog We Trust

Amongst the wealth of linkage George provides today, is this piece posted at oblivio that elucidates Michael Barrish is “not interested in telling the truth…

by j. brotherlove

Amongst the wealth of linkage George provides today, is this piece posted at oblivio that elucidates Michael Barrish is “not interested in telling the truth here unless the truth makes a better story”.

Interesting.

On straight-ahead blogs, the question of authenticity is not particularly a concern; the blogger links, the reader clicks. But on more “personal” weblogs or journals (like this one) do you readily assume the writer is conveying “the truth” as it really happened? Do you willingly trust her or him? Conversely, do you write the truth as it really happened online no matter how outrageously boring those details may be? Let’s face it, people are prone to embellishments and exaggerations in simple storytelling. That’s not revolutionary. But what about outright - this did not happen this way but I’m pretending that it did - fabrication in blogging?

I write online because I have to write somewhere; it’s my nature. Sometimes, I crave understanding but generally, I just want to get whatever’s in my head, out. Even when those items are of a personal nature, I tell the story as accurately as possible without implicating personal business of others or revealing information that can potentially be used against me. And in that filtering, I suppose, exists opportunity for mendacity.

Does it matter? For the most part, this isn’t news we are reporting. We are recalling our life’s experiences from that distrustful faculty called memory. “Memory is the selection of images; some elusive, others printed indelibly on the brain”. So at best, we regularly miss some “i”s and “t”s when imparting our tales.

Whether or not it matters lies in intent.

1. What is the purpose for writing online? Is it to connect with like-minded individuals, find a voice, express an opinion, or is it simply, to tell a “better story”.
2. In situations where one elicits (implicity or otherwise) understanding or pathos, it is “ethical” to hide behind a false story?
3. Should one feel an obligation to readers to disclose intent when writing online?
4. As Internet hoaxes and email frauds abound, should blogs — considering their infectious nature — be held to some sort of standard?
5. Isn’t it against the very nature of blogging to operate within such a list of standards?
6. Is blogging akin to creating art?

Such a curious cat, this blogging “lifestyle”. Few answers from me today, I’m afraid. Pero, muchas preguntas para la cula.

Hmmm…I write because I have things in my head that need to come out. I used to write for publication and for broadcast and this is just another medium. I tell the truth as I see it, and take positions when I feel strongly, but feel no need to balance with alternative opinions, as I did when I was in fact a journalist. It is nice to connect, and lord knows I’d appreciate more comments on my blog just to know somebody is out there reading this stuff. But reaction isn’t always necessary. I treat blogs the way I would treat their writers in face to face meetings, i.e., I will judge everything they say on its own merits. I don’t assume you are lying or telling the truth, but will judge comments by what I know and challenge them when necessary. Thus if someone wants to deliberately fabricate, that’s on them. They will be evaluated accordingly. Is blogging art? Is writing?

I think the answers to your questions depend on the type of blog, but as far as personal ones go, you owe your readers nothing. This needs to be understood. I am the owner, webmaster, I bought the domain, installed the software that powers it, etc. I can basically say what I wanna. It’s kinda like my house. If I wanna lie, I will (although I haven’t). If I wanna say something disparaging about someone I don’t like, I will. It’s as simple as that.

I say that I write primarily for my own personal pleasure, but that’s a lie. Y’all need to read what I write! I’m providing a service to my community by telling the truth about myself - and about all y’all, too - and I do it with such eloquence and veracity that y’all just can’t help but flock to my words … *LOL!*

Okay, now that I got that out, here’s the truth: I write to put my own shit about there, maybe for a bit of accountability, but definitely to elucidate some things that might otherwise go unsaid without any extra thought or analysis. Plus, I write to write better. Most of what I write is usually rewritten a couple of times before it sees the light of day, but that process allows me to remember little things, the little details that we all experience. You know, like the temperature of your coffee, that feeling you get when you turn off the lights and get into your bed, the color of someone’s eyes or hair, a riff from a favorite singer - so many things which make the ordinary extraordinary. Well, if you’re a good writer! *LOL!*

I also re/write my post a few times. Then I spell check (because misspellings are a pet peeve of mine) and search for the best links to support my point of view, etc. Depending on the topic, this process can take a while. Sometimes I wonder why I go through all of those steps, especially for my more “trivial” entries. Then I remember it’s because I’m a perfectionist (or do I mean control freak). Heh.

Even after all of that, I tend to edit the entry after I’ve posted it for clarity, to add a detail or (despite my precautions) correct a misspelling that slipped past me.

Bernie, keep writing and they will come (read that again in Yoda’s voice). I understand nOva’s position when he says we “owe [our] readers nothing”. But it’s the weblogs, journals and personal spaces where the writer invites me to eavesdrop on their life that I respect the most. I have a preference for the personal essay that asks for answers, understanding and/or forgiveness. It’s my “reality show”.

Donald, I respect your writings for the very reasons you listed. You are unafraid (or less afraid) than most to just “put it out there”. That’s important to me and our “community” because it sheds a light on a voice that is not often heard unfiltered. On your site, you can do it like you want and those who open themselves to that are better (informed) for it.

Having only been two months now, I am also still finding my voice. I’m a constant revisionist myself and just yesterday rewrote stuff that I had posted already. I prefer reading the blogs that share the writer’s personal life vs social commentary alone, but I also see the value of both, which is why I try to include all that on my site. But I constantly have this internal conversation over how much of myself to share, and what should stay private. My “100 Things About Me” was such a conversation.

Pondering those questions is a natural result of blogging. See my (oddly brief) answers to What Is Public And What Is Private? courtsey of Google’s cache.

I am loving this discussion because I am sometimes criticized about not sharing my personal life on my blog but as I see it, my viewpoint of music is very personal. I tend to share more of my personal life of other’s blog as meaty topics come up. When I see a concert or listen to an album, I am as honest as possible for I am writing a review that I want to read. Some may ask, “what if I don’t like the concert or album?” I just opt not to review it instead of bagging on artist. Thanks j for this insightful post as I will be teaching a workshop this weekend on writing reviews and web journaling for a black gay men’s writing retreat.

I am so glad to know that other bloggers are as anal as I am when it comes to proofreading and spellchecking. There is nothing worse than seeing bad spelling and grammar in any form of printed media.