Amy Gahran at Contentious.com talks about… well, she’s talking about a way to think and reflect out loud.

I say that because her title is How to Blog without the Time Sink, but at least this week I’m working at keeping the techno-cart behind the purpose-horse.

In part, she’s addressing the person who says “I don’t have time to blog,” especially if that person feels each post needs careful crafting. (You’d think a glance at a couple of random blogs would dispel that notion.)

I began skeptically, myself; I did have a picture of blogging as My-Great-Thought-of-the-Day. That wouldn’t work for me; it’s depressing how many weeks go by without a Pretty Good thought, let alone a Great one.

She suggests blogging as a way to brainstorm when you first get interested in a topic, and blogging to record your research and discovery. The high point of the post, I think:

…Use your blog as your backup brain — or at least as a public notebook. Why not get more mileage out of work you would have done anyway by changing your habits toward managing information and communication publicly? Instead of keeping your thoughts, notes, and conversations to yourself, post them.

Just as with my files of paperwork, I have a good idea of what’s in my blog, even if I can’t name the exact post. With the category tags and the search box, though, I can tell someone, “Go to my Whiteboard and search for ‘Rosling.'” I know the post will include background and — much more useful — links to further information.

That’s handy even (or especially) if I’m the only person doing the search.