My Laptop Is Back

My laptop is back, thus there goes any semblance of a good work ethic. I am getting a bit too complacent when it comes to my thesis. I went to a thesis meeting for the senior French majors and discovered that while I thought I was grossly behind, I am actually ahead by comparison. Of course while hearing that I was in fact grossly behind in my work would have sent me into a panic attack that left me despairing and unwilling to do work, the opposite has made me feel that I can take a break - which of course I can't.

It's a Catch 22 I guess.

So anyways -
summary of what was in the first chapter as I hope relates to this class.

In the reading of the blogs focusing on the relations between blogger and reader - I found that there were four major types of readers of the blogs - each representing a different background, reason for reading and commenting on the blogs as well as a different need from the blogs.

The Wisher - This person wants to travel to Japan; has a naive view of life in Japan based of what they have learned through other optimistic representations of Japan. They express envy for those that are blogging, and comment mostly on blogs that show many images, have brief articles and cater to readers. You do not often see these characters for example on blogs that deal with deeper issues like politics, Japan's hypocrisy or the difficulties that life presents for the foreigner. I know of at least one article of a blog in which the blogger complains about the naiveté of these commentators. Their 'need' is in the virtual travel that is in accordance with their impressions of Japan. A few of these people actually do manage to get to Japan.

The Blogger/fellow traveler- This person represents those who comment on a blog about Japan having either the similar experience of being abroad, being in Japan, having a blog or having a blog about Japan. Japan bloggers are known to sometimes meet in real life occasionally. These bloggers tend to link to one another in the blog roll, continue conversations from previous commentaries on other blogs in their own blogs, and often write the most in the commentary section following blogs. Their 'need' is to have a community of fellow people who understand their experiences, and can validate their own blog / writings on their travels.

The Nostalgic - This person represents those of whom have already been to Japan and returned to France. They, similar to the Wisher have somewhat naive views of Japan. But to be more accurate their memories of Japan that they have retained are optimistic / naive in nature.
There are however some examples of those who are, unlike the wisher, participants in discussions of Japan's less favorable aspects. They are more prevalent however on sites that show images of something that is a shared experience for them... pictures of Japanese cuisine, places, everyday life etc. Their 'need' is in the continuation of travel, virtually and vicariously though others. Equally they have a need to be able to communicate their travel experiences with someone that is interested, unlike perhaps what they experienced upon the return home where others were likely not very interested.

The Previously Known - This person is likely a former colleague, a friend, or a family member. I have the impression that this person reads more often than he or she leaves a comment. Comments by the ' previously known' are common in the first few weeks / months of the bloggers blog in which there are not many other commentators. You do not often see them later, and I assume they are intimidated either by the internet community or by the fact that they have no knowledge of Japan themselves. They have no real 'need' when it comes to the blog or as it pertains to Japan an thus I imagine they have the greatest potential for learning something about Japan without this being hindered by needs to preserve some previously conceived idea.

Long blog - but there it is.
-N