To blog or not to blog?

That is the question.

This is an interesting new trend that I am exploring. I have a friend (hey Bob) who has encouraged me to jump on the bandwagon. Being that I'm something of an iconoclast by nature--that sounds better than, say, stubborn and rebellious--I thought I'd rather avoid it. Bob and I talked about some of the downsides of the fad, particularly the whining and generally negative commentary that is often generated in a open forum, and so I was enticed by the challenge of blogging without succumbing to those particular temptations. That is, I find it rather easy to be negative, so why not take the opportunity to do some reflecting that might serve a purpose other than simply venting? I can't say what the purpose is exactly, but I'm hoping at least occasionally to happen upon a worth-while thought.

Another incentive to engage blogmania is that I am journal deficient. There is no end to the times that I think I ought to write something down, if for no other reason than that I might like to disagree with myself later. There is also almost no end to the times I have started a daily journal. As it turns out, I have become highly proficient at first entries. Lamentably, beginning and not carrying through is one of those unbecoming traits that can in weaker moments characterize other aspects of my life. That it not be so with blogging!

Naturally, my dilemma remains the same--time is not on my side. It's simply a matter of to much to read and not enough time to do anything else. I don't expect my professors will be relenting any time soon, however, so we'll see how it goes. In fact, I should be reading right now, which means this post is drawing to an end.

One final blog consideration. As I ponder what it is that causes such a rush of bloggercism, it occurs to me that the epistemological concerns of the postmodern world might figure in. Decartes' "cogito ergo sum", slighly reframed, makes for an interesting way to come at the issue. Isn't it a little funny that he didn't make it a question in the first place? Anyway, I started with a question, so I'll end with one, wondering if it is in fact this question that cuts to the heart of blogmania:

I blog, therefore I am?