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The Politics of Self-Disclosure

Now that I've decided to make blogging a way of life, do I still have a right to privacy? After all, it's my choice to allow you a glimpse into the inner workings of me. Do I therefore have the right to restrict that choice?

One could argue that if I don't want you to know, I shouldn't write about it. This is true. However, since I'm using this forum to exorcise my demons, it would stand to reason that I'd have to expose some uncomfortable truths about myself. Furthermore, my demons may directly -- or indirectly -- affect people some of the people who choose to read what I've written.

The question then becomes, "How much is too much?" Where am I to draw the line in this situation? For the most part, I've chosen not to use my name or the names of anyone involved. Is that enough? If you can recognize yourself in the details, are you then exposed like I am?

Where is all this coming from, you might ask? After careful deliberation on my part, I've decided to "go public," and tell people outside my inner circle of friends that I'm writing for public consumption. That means that I won't be able to control exactly who's reading this at any given time. Even though it was my choice, I'm not sure how comfortable I am with exposing that much of who I am for people I may not know.

On an entirely different note, I don't know how I feel about letting people see what I've written. For me, writing is very personal. Some people go to the riverside to lay down their burdens; I go to The Blank Page. It's the one place I'm able to unleash myself to be whomever and whatever I want. When I can't find anyone to talk to, The Blank Page is always there, and it's sacred to me. I can't remember the last time I let anyone read things from my collection. In fact, there are only a few people who know I even have one.

Of course, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the real deal -- what if you don't like the way I express myself? Worse, what if you read my expressions and decide that I'm not the person you thought I was? What if you are so appalled by what you're seeing here that you either abandon our friendship or conclude that I'm not worth your time? I know I can't control your thoughts, but I do consider them.

Either way, we're here now, and we've made it this far. Let's just let it ride and see how far it takes us.

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