Julie gives a talk called “Making Masks: Blogging as a Social Tool and Family Lifestyle” about the public and the private we choose to expose through our blogs. Are we projecting new personas?

Julie wrestles with the problem of how much to expose. She keeps some secrets because: 1. She wants to preserve the relationships in her lives; family members can feel betrayed by posts. 2. She wants to protect herself and her family. 3. There’s a place for privacy and secrecy. “There are moments to raw and personal to be trusted with others.”

So, why take the risk at all?

1. It establishes a chronicle that can be valuable for personal and social reasons.

2. Cross-pollination. We educate one another. The juxtapositions can be revelatory.

3. Creativity.

4. In crises, bloggers can share information and provide mutual support.

5. Crossroads. We learn we’re not alone.

[The above boils away the best part of this terrific talk.] [Technorati tags: JulieLeung]

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