A blog, I think, is like music.  Means one thing to the author, and another to the viewer.  Blogs can be used for anything, from the discussion of politics, to the reflections of one's own thoughts.

Sometimes people journal on sites like these where someone is sure to read it at some point, and knowing that even though you may never know who read your post, someone did somewhere, and now they carry a little part of you in their memory.  In our high-tech and impersonal society, it can help one feel not so alone.

That makes sense. I just find it weird to write an article and not care that anyone either seemed to have read it or commented on it. I always figure people do things for a reason and not just for nothing. But what you say makes sense. Never considered his could be seen some other way and not seem as if anyone read it.

I blog because right now I have no support system in my life and I am the kind of person who needs to vent (and ideally, get feedback).  I have been unable to find a blog site that offers a true sense of community, and that's what I'd like.  The things I have to say are more a life journal, occasionally touching on world events, so it's not like I expect to generate tons of comments.  But it is disappointing to not receive any feedback when the reason I write is to make contact.  However, the need to express myself overrides the disappointment in not finding an 'audience.'  So I continue on...

That's usually my problem. I am a talker; they called me motormouth in school. Blogging is my virtual way of talking with people I would never have conversations with because they are too far and I would not have any other way to meet them. I get disappointed when I don't get any responses and even more disappointed when the ones I do don't stick to the topic much and instead make fun of me or my comments. I write with the intentions of looking for conversation and to see what other people think about the topics I write about. It helps me understand other people better.

Like you, I too continue. I could not write my life journal anywhere for most of my postings will be about the doom and gloom of my life. And I don't need people to give me the "oh poor Charles" comments at a time when I need some encouragement. So I keep my life stories to myself as often as I can. I have already leanred not to share those things here much.