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Liz is a freelance writer with a day job. She writes about feminism, fashion, her forties and family....
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Is Blogging the New Christmas Letter?

Liz O'Donnell

Friday, July, 18, 2008

I 'm not sure I want to blog anymore.

The thing about the Web is it provides a forum for anybody with Internet access. The good news is people are expressing themselves, alternative information sources are available, and as a result society becomes less dependant on corporate-controlled media. The bad news is there is a lot of crap being spewed. 

I don't want to contribute to the crap. Plus, blogging feels slightly narcissistic to me. Take my post from Monday:

Dear Web Surfer,

Check this out. My daughter didn't know women could join the police force! Isn't that too cute? Meet my family: the feminist, the supportive husband and the precocious kids.

It makes me slightly ill. And here I am, someone who prides herself on the fact I will NEVER send a Christmas letter to my friends and family. You know the ones:

Dear Precious Friends,

After a fabulous year in the gifted and talented curriculum at pre-school, our little Madison received an early-acceptance at Harvard. Her brother Winthrop, the Eagle Scout, has made the all-star soccer, track, lacrosse, water polo, curling and fencing teams. He also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro during his class trip.

DH (darling husband) continues to be a big earner, an unselfish lover, a compassionate listener and loving father. I spent the year dieting down to a size 4!

On the home front, we moved into a new McMansion on a peaceful cul-de-sac in a homogenous suburb.

We are going to spend the holidays working in an organic soup kitchen that is powered by photovoltaics.

Seasons Greetings!

What's the difference really? Has blogging become the new Christmas letter?

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hnagel
hnagel
I like it!
Posted Tue, 07/15/2008 - 14:03
I've been trying to find a term for blogs I find myself wanting to gouge my eyes out after reading - they are Christmas Letter posts! Thank you! I think it all depends on the person behind the voice. You'll always have those letters/posts that you know darn well were crafted for days to cue every insecurity you have so that the author can somehow feel superior. But then there are others like yours I love to read and make laugh. As for your daughter, maybe she's never seen a woman wear a police uniform and just assumed that women could only be detectives and sergeants. :)
Liz
Liz
Hnagel
Posted Tue, 07/15/2008 - 23:49
Thanks for the compliment and the laugh. I must admit I love reading other people's Christmas letters.
BCBlogger
BCBlogger
I don't see it that way at all. . .
Posted Fri, 07/18/2008 - 13:47
although it is something to think about. Personally, I love blogging for two reasons: 1. Other people's opinions via the blogs have often given me something to think about and maybe, even changed my way of thinking about a given topic. It's nice because you get to clearly read someone's point vs. listening to them speak (argue) and thinking about what you're going to say to counter them. 2. I like sharing my idiotic mishaps with people. That way, when they do something totally stupid, they realize that they ***are not alone.*** He he he.