Why do YOU read on-line journals?--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), August 10, 2000

Answers

I read online journals because I'm a nosy person. I like reading about others' lives and their trials.

But it's mostly because I crave others' interpretations of life in general. It's like that when I'm in a deep conversation with a good friend. I want to know about them more and more, and before you know it, it's 5am and who's slept? Not me. It's the same with me and online journals.

Speaking of sleep, let me get some :P

-- Claire (claire@blueletters.net), August 10, 2000.

Two smart ass answers - Why not ? or Because

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), August 10, 2000.

Two smart ass answers - Why not ? or Because -- My common courteous answer is dealt with, in my own long winded way in my diary entry tonight. at length. I will check to see if the link is right and if not will go in and edit it.

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), August 10, 2000.

One more try - - - - - at length

-- Denver doug (ionoi@webtv.net), August 10, 2000.

1. Because I enjoy finding out how wonderfully diverse people are, how they deal with the joys and challenges that life presents. 2. Because I enjoy discovering how much I have in common with people I never thought I would have anything in common with. 3. Because it's real life, as opposed to movies, TV etc. 4. Because I want others to read my on-line journal and I believe in the law of the boomerang, "what goes around comes around".

Teena www.stas.net/anydaynow

-- Teena Brown (teenabrown@scinternet.net), August 10, 2000.

When I first learned such things existed I said "no way, why would I want to read someone's journal?" Then I found I believe Elly's when I was looking for backgrounds.

Since then I have become addicted, perhaps too much so. (yet I was always fascinated with my Grandmother's diaries, and now as my readers know I got to read the text of my Great Grandfather's 1886 sailship trip to England).

But Why read? For one, my life was really very sheltered considering I am married to a retired AF Sgt.

Oh I traveled with my parents in their Airstream in the 50's, but didn't get to 'know' people or 'know' area cultures. Reading journals has expanded my knowledge of places I will never get to, people I will never meet, lifestyles foreign to me.

Yes I could read books, but now days I fall asleep reading the newspaper. :-) So I wear out my backside trying to keep up with bookmarked journals..well not really, I see it spreading out behind me. :-)

-- Bonnie (rabble@express-news.net), August 10, 2000.

Oh I forgot, if anyone else wants to see GrGrandpa's account it is up on http://members.fortunecity.com/rabble1/sailship.htm

A link at the bottom takes you to the page my cousin is doing as the original transcriber, he isn't finished yet.

-- Bonnie (rabble@express-news.net), August 10, 2000.

The line "We read to know we are not alone" is from the movie "Shadowlands," about the life of C.S. Lewis and his relationship with Joy Gresham, whom he married. The line is now often attributed to Lewis, but that is incorrect. Even in the film, the line is spoken by one of Lewis' students, who in turn is supposedly repeating what he was told by his father, a teacher.

I offered this as the answer to Al's question in journals-l, and have since learned the origin of the line.

-- Joe Shedlock (joeshedlock@mindspring.com), August 10, 2000.

That is a very good question. I think I started because my friend had one and hers was so good and entertaining. I definitely think there is a live-vicariously-through-others factor for me. I am not a good writer and I don't like to write so I love to read others who can and do. I am in awe of some of the creativity. I could just go read a short story, but there is something about these daily peeks. It's probably part voyeurism as well.

ally

-- ally (ally3223@aol.com), August 10, 2000.

I read them for the same reason you do, Al. I get to step outside of myself for a while, and see how another person lives. I rejoice in their joys, I share their sorrows. I like the reality of the writing, that there's a REAL PERSON behind it. I like, too, that there's so many skilled writers (and photographers) out there able to open such a vivid window into their lives. And yes, I love that spark I feel when I read their words, and something strikes me, "Yes, I know what you mean. I've felt that too. I'm not alone.''

-- Joan Lansberry (joanlansberry@hotmail.com), August 11, 2000.