Something interesting happened in my Dashboard today, and it made me consider what blogging is all about. I started this blog on November 1, 2011 and had no idea what to write or what would happened when I did. Things began with an introductory post that explained where I got “Surrounded by Imbeciles” and told a few things about myself. It was after this post that I realized there was an “About” section.
On November 2, I published my second post titled “The Problem With Gas Pumps”, which covered my notion that gas pumps think people are stupid. I always said that if I blogged, then I would start with that rant. In my mind, it was a good attempt at sarcasm and wit. However, it wasn’t until today that someone clicked on it. I have been blogging for a while now and, while not an expert, feel like I am getting better at it. I have had a bunch of hits; plenty of comments; and met some great people. (Now that I have figured out how to create a link, you should check out my favorite blog and super supportive reader, the Book Snob.) But, I never considered what happened to the old posts that nobody ever read. Do they go to an “old posts home”? They don’t. They live forever as information leakages from our brains. The things we put on here never go away. While we may forget about them and think that people will never go back into the archives and look around, all it takes in an engine search to receive a click.
As a historian, I am accustomed to combing through documents in local and state archives and studying the artifacts of the past. But, it never hit me until today that blogs are the modern equivalent of the letters, journals and diaries of the past. I have read all about other people’s lives and thoughts, and now a few people are reading about mine. It’s kinda cool and kinda strange at the same time. I can only hope that when people look through my “archives” they will find something as interesting as I have found looking through the paper kind.
SBI: A Thinning Crowd 
I will admit that I’m lazy and when I start reading someone’s blog, I don’t always click on each post…I just scroll through the pages reading each post from there.
Thank you so much for the lovely compliment. You’re one of my favourite bloggers too. 🙂
I am the same way. I scroll. I skim. That’s why the click on the old post surprised me. I think of old posts as neglected items that have been forgotten. They just can’t be sold in a yard sale.
You are very welcome.
It surprises me too, when someone likes or comments on earlier posts. It’s a little feel good, oooh looky!
Now all of the earlier writing we are usually embarrassed about is right there for everyone to see (since I forgot all about it and left it up there). Hehe, what fun this blogging.
It’s an interesting hobby to which we have attached ourselves. I am working hard not to embarrass myself. Ha. Thanks for checking out my blog and taking the time to comment.