radar1007
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley
As a subscriber to Radar Magazine since it's auspicious beginnings, I have had many a good chuckle and even felt a bit enlightened at times. The magazine is irreverent, no-B.S., and filled with interesting information. It has covered everything from Tom Cruise's odd behavior to a behind the scenes look at how the soldiers fare in Iraq.

When I received the new issue in the mail today I expected no less then an excellent read. The cover featuring Becks and Posh was a sure sign that "overrated" people and things were going to be taken to task. I thought it was pretty cool until I realized that Blogging was being taken to task as one of those things. The quote by Erica Jong is as follows:

"Blogging is vanity. Like loving the smell of your own farts. Like not only tasting your menstrual blood, but making bloody thumbprints and buying gold-leafed frames in which to display them. But the truth is, not everything you think is worth publishing. Not everyone's opinion matters. How to distinguish a "pundit" from a gasbag? Impossible! On television, they yell and posture. On blogs, they are equally puffed up with self-importance. Only blog if you can make others laugh. This includes laughing at yourself."

Pretty heavy stuff, huh? After my initial astonishment at reading the whole "menstrual blood" comment, I really had to consider what Ms. Jong said. Certainly she had to be referring to bloggers other then me, right? Hmmmm...

Probably not.

That being said, I know that there are a dirth of people who blog about comic books and the genre in general. What sets us apart from the general statement about blogging being made? Is it the fact that we are being more specific about our references? Is it that we are each fulfilling a need in ourselves by not staying silent? What is it that drives us?

I can only speak for myself, but I know exactly why I blog. I feel passionate about my "hobby". It is important to me to make my thoughts known, even if no one else will read them. Lately I have been finding myself blogging to find out what others think as well, and to foster discussion. I feel a sense of community with many of the people I interact with, and I feel blessed with their presence. I know that others don't always agree with me, but I have always stated the importance of the First Amendment right of free speech, even though it sometimes hurts.

So that is why I blog.

Either that, or I am a self-deluded sociopath. Heh.

I am going to go with reason "A".

That being said, the comment by Ms. Jong really got me thinking. What about you? What is your response to her words? Is Radar Magazine right? Is blogging overrated?

What do you think?