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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Narcissism

Paddling enthusiast Dean

I read or heard one time that bloggers are narcissists because blogging is a bit egoistic. If that's so then anyone that writes a letter to the Editor of a newspaper, writes a book about climbing Everest, for example, or performs in public is a narcissist, or not?

I disagree with that view. I enjoy blogging for a number of reasons. I enjoy sharing my paddling environment with people who also paddle but are far removed from the sea or paddle in a totally different seascape. I enjoy sharing pictures with my paddling buddies. I like to reflect on the days paddle as I compose my blog entry. I like to share insights as I develop as a kayaker and sometimes its just about thinking out loud.

Blogging not only allows me to share my experience but its also an avenue to connect with other bloggers all over the globe. That makes my kayaking world a richer place.

8 comments:

  1. sure, Tony keep up your narcisism!!!

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  2. Hi Tony, I agree the World is a better place for the sharing that goes with the creation of blogs on so many subjects. OK, we might not be reading the words of Shakspeare or looking at photos by Ansel Adams but blogs are free and, for the most part, written by people who care about their activity or interest. It's also a very democratic way to communicate, how many letters to the newspapers actually get published? Keep posting :o)

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  3. other reasons to keep blogging... Those of us who paddle with you enjoy re-counting the day's paddle. Those in the local area can see places to paddle that they may not of been aware of.

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  4. I agree tony. Blogging is all about sharing an experience. I cant count how many emails messages I get saying thank you for letting people live vicariously as for many differnt reasons they cannot paddle as much or at all.

    The whole reason I started was in researching some trips in Newfoundland I could find ZERO info about certain spots. While I have most of the Ottawa valley mapped out now with trip reports my new goal will be hopefully getting the avalon done next year to share info with other paddlers.

    ....as well...my wife can only stand me talking about my trips so much...I gotta share it!

    Keep up the blogging Tony! I'm sure we'll cross paths somewhere on the water out there next year.

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  5. Gio, I'll keep it up but I'll be careful not to get too egoistic with lots of pictures of me *lol*

    Douglas, outside of kayak blogging, if everyone on the planet knew something about each other there'd be more tollerance.

    Dean and Lee, that's the biggest part - sharing our paddling experience. Lee I'm sure we'll get out for paddles next year. Don't know how much of the Avalon you've seen from the sea of a kayak.

    Tony :-)

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  6. I'll play the Devil's advocate. I think there is bit of narcissism in blogging. I think that the primary reason, whether we want to admit it or not, for blogging is to let people know about what we're doing/thinking - to put yourself out there for others to see. Passing along info is an added bonus for others.

    Not all narcissism is bad. It appears that even Freud, himself, believed that it "is an essential part of all of us from birth."

    There is also narcissism in reading blogs as well. I'll openly admit that I am much more inclined to read and pay attention to a blog entry that has me in it. I'll pay much closer attention to pictures that show me paddling and I challenge anyone to say that they don't do the same. Human nature, I guess!

    I have a blog and it's not as active as I would like but sometimes I just don't have anything to say. At times when I don't have enough to create my own blog entry, I troll on other's blogs trying to poke people with sticks to get a reaction - just kiddin', Tony!!

    Keep up the good work and I'll have to get out some more paddles with you so that you can get some good pictures of me!!!

    Sean

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  7. Its easy to get good pictures of you Sean, you're so photogenic *lol*

    You'll also notice in today's entry I found an old picture from the pool with you in it!

    Tony :-)

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  8. Thanks Tony for stroking my ego even more!!!

    Sean

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