Self-Management Through Blogs

In this week’s readings, blogs were discussed in detail. In the readings, Geert Lovink stated that bloggers are creative nihilists “who celebrate the death of centralized meaning structures and ignore the accusation that they would only produce noise” (Lovink, 2007: 22), as well as saying that “No matter how much talk there is of community and mobs, the fact remains that blogs are primarily used as a tool to manage the self” (Lovink, 2007: 28). Both statements hold quite great weight in the description of blogs and bloggers alike, however, this post will be discussing the latter in greater detail.

Firstly, the idea of managing the self should be identified. Kathleen McGowan, of Psychology Today, states that managing the self is the way in which people present themselves in, and to, the world (McGowan, 2005). The difficulty in managing the self differs between individuals as some choose to over-ride their natural responses more than others. Using this definition, blogs are ideal tools of self management as bloggers can appear to be however they prefer to be viewed as, but because they are doing so behind a screen, one need not totally over-ride natural responses.

Perezhilton.com is the epitome of the use of blogs as a tool for self-management. The main aim of the blog is quite evident upon taking a quick glance at it: attention. And attention is just what this blog has achieved. At present, Perez Hilton, has made quite a name for himself in the Hollywood tabloids, which he used to only comment on. Through the blog, Hilton is able to present himself to be an entertaining character, be it positively or negatively so, which has landed him in fame. Only through this presentation of himself as an outspoken entertainment commentator was Hilton ever going to be noticed in Hollywood.

Lovink also argue that self management is the “PR and promotion of the I” (Lovink, 2007: 28). In terms of self promotion, Perez Hilton is, again, an obvious example. Along with gossip and celebrity news, scattered throughout his blog are both subtle, and not so subtle tools of self-promotion. Firstly, the self-titled  blog indicates a need for him to want to have his name out for the world to see. Secondly, at the top of the blog, Perez has a section devoted to informing people on how else they are able to follow his blogs and rants; with links to his Facebook, and Twitter page, as well as a link to sign up to the PerezHilton Posse newsletter. In addition to these, he has also scattered his photos throughout his blog, in what can be seen as an attempt to make, not only a name for himself, but a face as well (Hilton, 2011). It could be quite easily argued that one of the main motives of this blog, is self-promotion, and narcissism.

References

Geert Lovink, ‘Blogging, The Nihilist Impulse’, in Zero Comments: Blogging and Critical Internet Culture, London: Routledge, pp. 1-38

Kathleen McGowan, Managing the Self, Psychology Today, Date Published: 1 July 2005, Date Accessed: 4 May 2011 <http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200509/managing-the-self&gt;

Perez Hilton, Welcome to PerezHilton.com, PerezHilton.com, Date Published: 1 May 2011, Date Accessed: 2 May 2011 <http://perezhilton.com/&gt;