I just voted on this; it looks like at least 60-40 in favor of those who don't at the moment. I use the JoeUser site, but I only post occasionally (maybe once or twice a month).

And I actually loathe the term "blog." It's one of those horrible contractions that I blame our text-message-happy society "4".

I prefer discussions to monologues

Nothing against bloggers, but when I think of blogs I'm reminded of the quip "Opinions are like assholes............."

It was supposed to be that. These days it is anything but a diary. Many blogs read like books. One advantage these blogs have over books is that each chapter can be of different topic. But there are some very focused blogs.

I can read a rant by a blithering idiot that thinks they are special or I can Read a book by a proven author.

Never even read a blog, I find them annoying and people should really make better use of their time.

Blogger.

It gives me an outlet for my thoughts and has given me a great deal of pleasure over the years.

Respectfully disagree with the "proven author" theory. Whims of the publisher might be a better description.

Let me, in one paragraph, tell you why blogging is worthwhile. Pictures of the war in Lebanon were discovered to have been doctored with Photoshop on a blog site. No one, not Reuters, not the London or New York Times, not the Wall Street Journal would have caught the fraud without a blogger finding it first. Everyone else "assumed" they were true because a respected media outlet carried them.

Blogging can be the dissenting voice that makes us think.

Dissent is not a good thing under certain ideologies.

I don't blog, probably, never will. I've read a few blogs, but none consitently.

I agree, that they provide a unique alternative viewpoint or a dissenting voice. Lantec is right; it is much like that quote about opinions. While a great deal of blogging might be ranting there are unique voices amidst the noise. It's got the good, bad, and ugly. It's just another outlet for expression, like Youtube etc. Sure there are alot of sad idiots goofing off on there but such is life, and such is human nature. At least, unlike mainstream media, everyone gets the opportunity to have their voice heard.

The ability to express yourself online, instantly, is a powerful thing. To be seen, heard, and read around the world can be a great opportunity to affect positive change, enlight, inspire, or just make someone's day a little lighter. In the right hands, with the right attitude and responsibilty, blogging could be a positive movement. However, this is not Utopia and some people DO have too much time on their hands.

Ultimately, it's just about hearing what people have to say, and this is where it's similar to mainstream; you can listen or navigate away. To me, blogs are just like every other form of news/entertainment/etc., they're out there, and so long as I don't bother with the crappy stuff, it doesn't bother me.

i never have been into blogs, either writing them or reading them but each to their own.
if they feel the need to write their opinions and post them to the internet then good for them. it just doesn't interest me. give me a good topical chatroom anyday where you can actually discuss the issues live with people.

I voted yes but then read what a blog is

and I need to change my vote to NO


see I thought the forums was a blog