Intellectual voyeurism

Blogging. What drives us to partake in this strange activity which until two years ago I didn't know existed? Is it the need to share with others news about ourselves? Is it a way of telling people how knowledgeable or artistic we are? Whatever your reasons may be, I believe they are somehow related to 'intellectual voyeurism'.

Since young, we have been taught the skills of showing off  ourselves. What is the first essay you were asked to write in school? Myself. Invariably, all of us has been asked to stand on the chair or on the corridor for doing something wrong. And for doing something right, we were rewarded with a prize which we have to collect in front of class or on stage. We were forced into voyeurism.

Then came karaoke. A most innovative if not irritating way of showcasing our vocal talents or deafness. We became willing voyeurs. And as if that is not enough, television companies created a hub for us to reach an even wider audience. The idol series, reality television shows took over our lives.

Nowadays wherever we turn, we find ways of letting the world know our existence. Radio call-ins, chatlines, friendster. The more we can impart ourselves, the more popular the channel becomes. Which is why, I believe, blogging is the next facebook. Which is why, I have started doing this. Because like you and I, we are all desperate voyeurs. The bigger the audience the better.