[ethicalsmacker]

There are some good thoughts in there, but it fails to answer the actual question. Why publish a blog? Sure, writing has benefits. You don't need a blog to write. You don't need a blog to make your own content linkable.

The only nuggets in there are "vanity", "monetization" and "possible opportunities" which are all pretty bad reasons to publish a blog.

[rchaud]

What about the "Clarifying my Thinking" and "Share Knowledge" portions?

[ethicalsmacker]

Neither require sharing publicly (ie, blog). Other than for the vanity/upvotes/etc.

[rchaud]

Sharing knowledge doesn't require sharing publicly? You seem to be looking at blogging exclusively as a vanity/recognition thing. Meanwhile, I've come across numerous blogs that have helped me solve a problem. I don't remember most of their names, but it's the kind of thing where I'll recognize the website if I need to search for the solution again.