What Blogging Means to Me: Shouting in a Deserted Street

I recently wrote a blog post and shared it with friends and family before publishing it. Since the topic was mildly controversial and referenced specific people, I wanted to be factually accurate and politically correct. 

They read it, approved it, and encouraged me to go ahead. 

The trouble is that most of them did not take any time in giving me the go ahead. Knowing some of them, I wont be surprised if a few just wanted to see what happens next!!! 

When the post finally went live and nothing happened, some of them sounded oddly disappointed. They asked why no one was reacting. I explained that I am not Chetan Bhagat or Amish Tripathi, and hardly anyone reads my blogs. That explanation disappointed them even more. But frankly, I was surprised they had assumed otherwise.

Since the expected 'explosion' never occurred, the next suggestion was even more interesting. I was advised to actively send the blog post to various people - including those who might be offended by it! 

Needless to say, I refused. 

For me, blogging serves two very simple purposes.

First, if there is a topic I feel strongly about - something that has been bothering me, unsettling me, or occupying too much mental space - I write about it. It could be a rant, a strong opinion, something that moved me or even plain cribbing. Writing helps me take it out of my system.

Second, once I publish a post, my opinion is out there. It feels like standing in the middle of a street and shouting at the top of my lungs. That, to me, is liberating. Now, whether the street is crowded or completely empty, it does not matter. Its irrelevant. I have shouted. People could have heard me. If they chose not to be there in the street, that is not my concern. 

And for some posts, I genuinely do not mind the street being empty!

What some of these friends expect is - since shouting in the street did not result in a Kambal Kutai (i.e., royal bashing) - I should now go knocking on doors and shout directly into people’s faces.

Sorry doston but I am not that stupid!! 🙂

I am happy shouting in my deserted street.