Monday, February 14, 2011

You Can't Handle the Truth

When I started blogging I wasn't sure what I would blog about.  Oh sure, I knew it would be about writing and publishing and all that, but I didn't have a clear vision of individual blog entries.  I spent quite a while brainstorming ideas.  My first thoughts were to write about something of use to other writers.  So I focused on my experiences as a writer and software reviews and gave voice to ideas about writing, that sort of thing.

Never once did I question that the truth of my posts would be an issue.  I assumed that I could write factually and truthfully and all would be okay.  Wrong.  Social media and blogging have nothing to do  with the truth.  Nothing.

It is all about appearance.  And now that I've stumbled onto this minefield, I can't write truthfully any more.  Nor can I explain why that is.  Kiss the first amendment good-bye because freedom of speech has nothing to do with this.  This is about being able to live and function in my own life and with the people in it.

Apparently, in this brave new world, people aren't allowed to express negative thoughts about anything, truthful or not.  And to me this smacks of mind control, 1984, George Orwell, and all that.

It is a world of paranoia, conspiracy -- real or imagined -- and perceived persecution.  Frankly, I think this is very sad because it comprises what I can say and write about.  And that sorta makes writing a blog pointless.

So for anyone thinking of starting a blog, my advice is don't unless you have no relationships with anyone and don't want any.



2 comments:

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Welcome to being a published author! Seriously, I feel your pain.

Rich Feitelberg said...

So it's not just me. Isn't that a kick in the teeth.

Thanks.