How important is it to have your own space? A place in which you can communicate freely and share your opinions. At the end of the day, all any of us really wants is to be understood. To be able to get our views out there for the world to look at, and judge one way or the other. Whether anyone ever agrees with us or not is another matter entirely. But there is definitely a human need to be heard. From the first cry we make after we are born to the last words we speak in life, it is through self expression that we are satisfied.

What is it really that drives some to paint, or write novels, to compose music, to create art. That desire to connect with the people around us, with whomever we can get to listen to our views on the world and the human condition. This is the driving force behind all art. And the driving force behind us. We want to move others in one way or another. Love the message, hate it, rally against it, or take up the fight alongside the speaker, but just hear it. Hear what it is that someone has to offer to the world. That unique spark within them. That is the most important thing there is.

Blogging has made it possible for anyone at all to put themselves out there. You can argue that it isn’t as noble a pursuit as the novelist or the painter has. There are no years of study required. No need for perfecting the craft. It’s just a simple flow of thoughts, feelings, ideas, and passion into pixels on a screen. But there is passion there still. That is what ties it to art.

There sits one person in a lonely room, with his or her own ideas about what’s going on around them, and the willingness to share. A desire to remark on the human condition through the simple, typewritten word. And see if anyone comes by to hear it.

Blogging has opened up doors to the average person that have never been open before. When else in history has it ever been as simple as just turning on a computer, getting connected to the web and voicing your opinions about anything at all. When else has the average person so easily had the opportunity to participate in something that could make a real impact. Blogging can be anything. Isn’t that a grand thought. Your website can be a simple recount of your day to a unique look at the community in which you live. You are free to touch upon events happening next door or those that are thousands of miles away. The everyday Joe has the ability to compete with mainstream media for an audience. He can report on or even influence events around him through just the strength of his opinions. Be a rebel, be a leader, be a reporter, or just one of the crowd. Talk about whatever it is that moves you. But say something. Because we now live the dreams of oppressed generations who had no voice.

So this is a weblog. It can be anything at all. Starting with a tap on the microphone and a hope that someone will show up to listen.

Hello, is this thing on?