I learn new things and change my mind. But the blog, she is eternal.

Is it better not to speak for fear of inadvertently speaking ill? Probably not, but it seems unnecessary to overexpose oneself to critique unless there be some large gain worth the risk.

What does one get from blogging? Self-expression, I suppose, but that can be gained through good conversations. And with good conversations, there comes an inherent understanding that this is my position now, knowing what I know now, and that is all. There is more empathy from the listener, more of a desire to reach understanding – the gentle grace of giving one the benefit of the doubt because you trust their good-willed nature. Alternatively, everyone on the internet is some hideous fiend that needs to be proven wrong and argued with at length, or so it seems.

Aside from a more approachable attitude between people engaged in face-to-face conversation, there’s also the ability to have context. For example, in the future someone can say, “In 2016 Cassie Wallender wrote, ‘everyone on the internet is some hideous fiend that needs to be proven wrong’.” And they would be technically accurate, but missing the flow of my statement entirely.

So I struggle baring my soul online. Because I enjoy writing, but this seems like an abysmal trap.