:: netwoman's blog ::

Aldahlia got me thinking about Blogging and Identity as she linked to swirlspice who covers a few different aspects to her own blog-identity formation. Race, gender, class and sexuality are certainly key factors to our blogging presence. For many people, their 'isms' are are integral to how they define themselves - especially in the blogosphere.

So, how did we get to this discussion of blogging and identity? I think because some people argue that Blogs have a specific definition and function that is universal. I tend to disagree.

Much discussion has surfaced over what blogs are, or should be (another discourse?). Daniel Drezner gives Advice to new bloggers and has a response from Phil Beckman:

"The problem with defining "blogs" is that because the web log can be used for so many different purposes any definition will either be too narrow and end up excluding many blogs or too inclusive and end up defining nothing. You don't need a single, overarching definition to start a blog or to become a successful blogger. Nor are we incapable of engaging in an intelligent analysis of blogging in the absence such a definition."

Do we need a forumla for how to blog? Narrowly defining what blogs are and what they can be used for creates a very narrow framework for self expression. Having a formula or list of what blogs are or are not risks silencing the very 'isms' that make us who we are. Marginalized voices will continue to be invisible.

Kate says this in her top ten list: "9. Don't spend time fretting over whether something is "blog worthy." If it interests you, makes you laugh or makes you think, it's worth blogging. After all, your blog is a reflection of you - do you really want to start tailoring yourself based on what others may or may not like?"

This is an interesting thought by Charles Hill:

"We blog, but we are not defined by our blogs. And sometimes our blogs are not defined by us; we are constantly being reshaped by culture and community and sometimes just contemplation. Finding a label is less important, I think, than finding a voice."

I like this quote, and so does Aldahlia.

Can we use Blogs to show how fluid the 'presentation of the self' is? Can we escape (or transcend or bend) race, class, gender and sexuality in the blogosphere? Should we? Comments welcome.

posted by Netwoman @ 11:10 PM