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Tuesday, July 13, 2010

Why are blogs Dying?


What happened to good old blogging? Why are blogs dying?

Remember the time when we used to get excited every time we post something? Of checking our blogger dashboard to see if the blogs we follow have something new ? The simple joy on seeing a well written comment from a random blogger was so much that we would happily pay a return visit. Random blog surfing used to be very engaging.

Nowadays, I open my blogger account once in a blue moon to post new stuff and to remind myself that I blog for my own sake. During those rare visits, I force myself to have a look at the blog updates. I find that highly popular blogs update every other day whereas the little blogs, the ones I used to take so much pleasure in reading, are mostly dead.

Why bother with a blog when you can put a note on Facebook right? It automatically appears on the home page of hundreds of "friends". Moreover you can tag the people you know will like this note. Guaranteed eyeballs.

Its easier from the readers point of view as well. All he /she has to do is to click once to show he/she "likes" your writing. It eliminates the need to come up with sensible comments and feedback. Many even like notes with no clue of whats actually meant.

Is that all there is to writing? Posting on your wall, allowing the same people to read and getting "likes"? Where is the pleasure of dicovering new writers and new blogs? Where is the joy of mkaing your blog look exactly the way you want it to? What about the intrigue of not knowing who the person actually is , but getting to know them through his/her writing? Have we lost something?


This is what I feel . Do tell me you feel about this.Lets discuss.

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Suicidal Tendencies?



Warning: Not reader friendly.

You’ve decided to do it. Life is impossible. Suicide is your way out. Fine—but before you kill yourself consider these facts: Suicide is not usually successful. You think you know a guaranteed way? Ask the 25-year-old who tried to electrocute himself. He lived. But, both his arms are gone. What about jumping? Ask John. He used to be intelligent , with an engaging sense of humor. That was before he leapt from a building. Now, he’s brain-damaged and will always need care. He staggers and has seizures. He lives in a fog. But, worst of all, he KNOWS he used to be normal. What about pills? Ask the 12-year-old with extensive liver damage from an overdose. Have you ever seen anyone die of liver damage? You turn yellow. It’s a hard way to go. What about a gun? Ask the 24-year-old who shot himself in the head. Now he drags one leg, has a useless arm and has no vision or hearing on one side. He lived through his “foolproof” suicide. You might too. But…Who will clean your blood off the carpet or scrape your brains from the ceiling? Commercial cleaning companies may refuse that job- -but SOMEONE has to do it. Who will have to cut you down from where you hung yourself or identify your bloated body after you’ve drowned? Your father? Your mother? Your wife? Your son? The carefully worded “loving” suicide note is of no help. Those who loved you will NEVER completely recover. They’ll feel regret and an unending pain. Suicide is contagious. Look around your family. Look closely at the 4 year old playing with his cars on the rug. Kill yourself tonight, and he may do it ten years from now. You DO have other choices. There are people who can help you through this crisis. Call a hotline. Call a friend. Call your minister or priest. Call a doctor or hospital. Call the police.They will tell you that there’s hope. Maybe you’ll find it in the mail tomorrow. Or in a phone call this weekend. But what you’re seeking could be just a minute, a month, or a day away.You say you don’t want to be stopped? Still want to do it?Well, then, I may see you in the psychiatric ward later.And we’ll work with whatever you have left.