Reasons to write a blog

Tuesday, 2nd December 2008

One of my friends asked me why I spend more time flitting around and linking to other people than writing my own posts. I suppose the answer is that I'm still trying to decide what I think about most of the big and small issues of the day. (I thought I knew, but I turned out to be wrong.) I also like to keep items as brief as possible, partly because I'm terrified of boring everyone, partly because I'm all too aware that the dreaded "Continue reading" sign will kick in after about 200 words. (Just for once, I'm going to let this item run on into the undergrowth.)

One of the joys of blogging, of course, is that we all have the opportunity to follow our own road. Take Willem "Maverecon" Buiter, for instance:

To all those readers of this blog who have requested shorter, snappier, less technical and abstruse postings, the following. I write this blog for me, not for my readers. Writing things down is the only way for me to communicate effectively with myself about complex issues... So no, my blogs will not get shorter, snappier, less demanding, less abstruse, complicated and confusing. My blog postings are and will be excessively lengthy, long-winded, demanding, abstruse, complicated and confusing where the problems are complicated and confusing. I make no concessions to my readers. Why should I? The readers I lose or miss as a result of writing the way I do are the readers I don’t want in the first place. They can always go to the National Enquirer, Bild or the News of the World.

PS Some people say I’m arrogant. No idea where they get that notion.

Brilliant.

[Hat-tip: Charlie Beckett]