Slave owners were often illiterate and so, unlike in America, did not keep diaries.

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Many therapists recommend that their patients keep diaries, but blogging might be even better for mental health, a study suggests.

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They were employed by Mass-Observation, a social research organization founded in 1937 to study the everyday lives of ordinary people, who were also invited to participate in surveys and keep diaries.

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Blogs started a few years ago as a simple way for people to keep online diaries.

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Over the 12-month study, Keller Fay asked more than 32, 000 participants to keep daily diaries about conversations they had where they talked about brands.

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In the near future, an online shopping service could make recommendations on the basis of personal information, such as checking the diaries people keep on their computers (provided they have given their permission).

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Keep a close watch on your digital diaries, my friends.

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