Thoughts on communication and LJ

[bktheirregular]

I got to wondering what various people use LiveJournal for. For many, I suppose, it's just a journal - a way to keep a record of one's thoughts and activities and such.

For many others, myself included, it's a communications tool. Stuff gets posted because you want people to know them - but it's an imperfect tool for communication, because sometimes you can get the impression you're talking into a vacuum.

It's no substitute for actual human interaction, but it's a lot better than total isolation.

How do you, out there, view LJ? As a journal? As a communications tool? As something else?

Comments

[tv-elf.livejournal.com]

I use it as a personalized mailing list. Most of the people on my FL are people I would normally have to BCC because A and C aren't talking while D doesn't want F to find their current email, this way I can reach all of them quickly.

[honorh.livejournal.com]

Definitely view it as a communications tool. You always want someone to talk to you, and you're always looking to see what other people are talking about.

[twistedchick]

It's a tool, it's a lifeline, it's a reference source, it's a concierge, it's an amusement, it's a fact of life.

[redbeardjim.livejournal.com]

Primarily a communications tool -- I don't post enough for it to be a real journal.

[tenik.livejournal.com]

A combination journal and communitcation tool, with the ability to keep in touch and keep track of overseas friends.