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Why do you blog?
As some people have already noted, an article in this month's Student Lawyer magazine has something in common with this blog—your humble ambivalent blogger wrote them both. And since Student Lawyer has yet to get its own blog or enable any sort of feedback feature on its site (other than letters to the editor, of course), I happily offer this forum for your feedback on the article. Comment away! Specifically I wonder: What do you think of the general argument that blogs/blawgs are valuable for law students? More to the point, why do you maintain a blawg? Do you do it for any or all of the reasons the article discusses, or are there other reasons for your habit? Also, what about that whole “blawg” moniker? It's kind of cute, but is it worth anything more than that? Should we talk about law-related blogs as “blawgs,” or is the regular old “blogs” preferable? Are there other negatives to blogging as a law student that the article doesn't mention? Finally, thanks to everyone who responded to my calls for input on this article early last summer. As you can see, I basically just took the great things a lot of you said and wrote transitions between them; I'm just the messenger. Also, I had much more material than the magazine had space for, so if you sent in comments that aren't in the article, it's only because of that lack of space. Related food for thought:- Non-law bloggers talk about why they blog.
- An article in the December ABA Journal called “To Blog or Not To Blog? Some Associates Who Asked That Question Say Web Logs Advance Careers, Exposure,” p. 33. I can't find the article online, but it features comments from Kevin O'Keefe, one of the few making a living from blawging, Matthew Lerner, the anonymous author of Underneath Their Robes, and Jeffrey Lewis.
- Of Blogs, Bloggers and Blawgs, an April 2003 article from the ABA's Law Practice Today.
- Interview with the Bloggers from the above source, both by Jim Calloway, an Oklahoma attorney.
- This short introduction to blogs by Carolyn Elefant.
Posted December 1, 2004 03:19 PM | meta-blogging
I blog because it helps get my thoughts out of my chaotic and anxiety-ridden brain. I read others' blogs because it really helps me to know that I'm not alone in my feelings, my worries, my journey.
I've actually decided to split off my LJ into an actual "blawg." That way, those who want to share in my Law School experience don't also have to read about my latest debauchery or brush with minor celebrity. I give you: INJUSTICE FOR ALL.
Posted by: Cinnamon at December 1, 2004 03:39 PM
Todd,
Was your blog ever anonymous? I always thought it was, but I guess not, huh? At least it isn't if one follows the link to your article.
Posted by: JR at December 1, 2004 04:29 PM
Appreciate your blawg post. The real question is--how can one NOT blog? Addicting, informative, community-driven. The future only holds the Survival of the Fittest Blogs...
Posted by: lawfulgal at December 1, 2004 05:17 PM
I got into blogging because Larry said I should give it a try. I maintain my blog because I am trying to entertain others. Really, all of my enjoyment from blogging is in the comments and feedback.
I do think such an outlet is valuable, however. First of all, it's helped me develop certain little habits when writing and second it's a great outlet in the rare occasion that I need to vent something.
Posted by: Soupie at December 1, 2004 05:37 PM
JR: Yes, this blog was anonymous in the beginning, or mostly so. Those who were even a little determined were always able to learn my real name, and there was really no avoiding going public if I wanted to do the article for Student Lawyer, so there you go. No more Anonymous Ambivalence. I'll be sure and let everyone know when my new non-anonymity gets me fired or not hired (which is really the concern when it comes to the anonymity question, isn't it?).
Posted by: ambimb at December 1, 2004 05:56 PM
I blog for purely personal reasons. Would it be redundant to say that I am pretty open about my life? I like Cinammon's idea about two separate blogs -- I never actually thought of that. As it is now, people who only care about law school will likely find my blog boring as hell after a short while. It started out as just a way to keep family and friends updated on what I was doing and feeling and thinking. It also gave me the outlet that I wanted for the times when I actually had something that I deemed important to say. It surprises me, still, that I get as much traffic on it as I do. I really do enjoy the comments and feedback, like Soupie says, but mostly I just do it for me.
Posted by: Denise at December 1, 2004 06:28 PM
I'm hurt that I didn't get a mention in the article. No love for an ex-classmate?
Just kidding ;-)
Great job!
Posted by: Scott at December 1, 2004 07:05 PM
woot! Published and everything.
When I was preparing my law school applications, I looked to blogs for a sense of what was going on with law students in their day to day lives.
Now I try to do the same, though I find it's less law studentish than maybe it should be.
-qir
Posted by: quasi in r.e.m. at December 2, 2004 03:28 AM
Once again, reading for content and not detail caused me to over look the byline. Outstanding article (even if I didn't get a mention...). I loved all the mentions of the people I do read regularly and all the various reasons why we all blog.
Posted by: Beanie at December 2, 2004 01:34 PM
The Darker Side of Blawging or at least reading them.
Posted by: Armen at December 3, 2004 04:36 PM
I can't believe there was not a pic.
Posted by: musclehead at December 4, 2004 11:00 PM
Congrats on the article! It's always fun to see one's name in print; I still keep staring at my name on the masthead of the magazine I work on, even though my work is limited to captions and copyediting. :)
Posted by: raquel at December 5, 2004 10:22 PM
