Well, here I go.
I’ve started a lot of blogs in my life. Probably at least five. I get inspired, post every day for two weeks, and then lose the inspiration and stop. But not THIS time (ha ha).
I think my problem has been the audience I’ve targeted. I’ve somehow found ways to convince myself that I have some insight to offer in some specific field. I tried blogging about the New England Patriots before realizing I’m nothing more than a normal Boston sports fan with no privileged information to share. I tried blogging about programming before realizing I’m a junior in college with minimal programming experience compared to the average software development blog reader. I tried blogging about rap music before realizing I’m a white kid who could only be considered “knowledgeable” about rap in comparison to his friends who know next to nothing about it. I tried… you get the idea.
Because of who I am and the stage of life that I’m in, I’d be hard pressed to find any one topic where I have enough expertise or experience to make my insights interesting to readers. But I believe this realization has allowed me to stumble upon something I am very good at: fence-sitting.
I’ve long believed that the best way to develop a good opinion on something is to consider both sides. A lot of people say this, but I think that few actually do it, and even fewer do it as rigorously as I do (given my paragraphs of bashing myself, I hope this doesn’t make me come off as cocky). I’ve spent nights arguing with myself about abortion, and while I’m currently pro-choice by a hair, the slightest breeze could push me in the other direction. I’m an Obama supporter, but not without recognizing and sharing many of the concerns and reservations that cause people to prefer John McCain. I’m… you get the idea.
I believe that this point of view is something people would like to read. In most areas of current events, people have the choice between opinionless news articles and extremist personalities. I believe that there’s room out there for a fence-sitter, because I know I’d like to read one myself.
I intend to write about my opinions on (and experiences with) the four areas of current events that are most important to me: technology, politics, sports, and music, in that order. And occasionally movies and television, on the unusual occasion that they pique my interest. I guess that pretty much covers every possible topic one could write about, doesn’t it?
And if people don’t like it, or I lose my inspiration, who cares? Writing about my thoughts helps me flesh them out, so in the worst case scenario, I’ll have unusually fleshed-out thoughts for the next two weeks.
