Today, I have ticked the listening box.
I enjoy reading other people's blogs, I do always read the ones of people who comment here and there and more or less. But I don't always have much to say in addition to a subject that has been so succintly expressed in a blog entry of its own merit that to taint with my menial mutterings would be futile and unnecessary.
On the other side of the story, it may transpire that an entry sparks such an interest as to inspire me to construct my own creation on a similar theme, rather than clutter up the comment box with long and irrelevant references or opinions. Might as well publish them on my blog instead, point out my opinions, my views, my stance on things to the wider world web, y'all care greatly about what I think, I'm sure.
Sometimes, I wish there was a function on these blogspot type things for people to show they're listening. A nod of the head is well enough face to face; an 'mm, yeah, I understand' on the phone; kudos given on myspace; positive applause added for approval on a forum. But the only way to prove you've been here & heard that, is to leave a comment.
Truth is, there's not always much to add. Especially with multiple blog entries per day. Blogspots don't lend themselves easily to conversation or further discussion. There's not always much need for a response. While I know it will still get read, there's still a part of me that wants the concrete acknowledgement.
A display of confirmation that I've been heard is the main reason why I think a listening box would be a good plan, or something similar, along the lines of:
4 readers have listened to this entry.
3 readers have agreed with this entry.
2 readers have found this entry interesting.
1 reader has found this entry a complete waste of pixels.
You visit, you listen, you tick or nod or smile just to leave your mark, make us feel like we're not alone. Maybe if I could speak computer, I could coax a snazzy function like this out of webcode, alas, I am useless, so for now, there is no option but to stick with what's avaliable. And hope that people can find it in their hearts to continue to comment...
I enjoy reading other people's blogs, I do always read the ones of people who comment here and there and more or less. But I don't always have much to say in addition to a subject that has been so succintly expressed in a blog entry of its own merit that to taint with my menial mutterings would be futile and unnecessary.
On the other side of the story, it may transpire that an entry sparks such an interest as to inspire me to construct my own creation on a similar theme, rather than clutter up the comment box with long and irrelevant references or opinions. Might as well publish them on my blog instead, point out my opinions, my views, my stance on things to the wider world web, y'all care greatly about what I think, I'm sure.
Sometimes, I wish there was a function on these blogspot type things for people to show they're listening. A nod of the head is well enough face to face; an 'mm, yeah, I understand' on the phone; kudos given on myspace; positive applause added for approval on a forum. But the only way to prove you've been here & heard that, is to leave a comment.
Truth is, there's not always much to add. Especially with multiple blog entries per day. Blogspots don't lend themselves easily to conversation or further discussion. There's not always much need for a response. While I know it will still get read, there's still a part of me that wants the concrete acknowledgement.
A display of confirmation that I've been heard is the main reason why I think a listening box would be a good plan, or something similar, along the lines of:
4 readers have listened to this entry.
3 readers have agreed with this entry.
2 readers have found this entry interesting.
1 reader has found this entry a complete waste of pixels.
You visit, you listen, you tick or nod or smile just to leave your mark, make us feel like we're not alone. Maybe if I could speak computer, I could coax a snazzy function like this out of webcode, alas, I am useless, so for now, there is no option but to stick with what's avaliable. And hope that people can find it in their hearts to continue to comment...
On the jukebox: Alice Deejay ~ Better Off Alone
Bloody hell, thats a really good idea. Always seems a bit pointless posting a comment like "Yes, I agree". Which is essentially what this comment is, but lets gloss over that...
ReplyDeleteI always have a small feeling of disappointment when I see one of my blogs hasn't been commented on even though I know that my blog is for me I still wonder if people think it's a load of rubbish, which essentially it is :oD But there is a part of me which (in ignorant bliss) feels happy in the knowledge that someone has read it.
ReplyDeleteI guess we all liked to be noticed in some way.
How can I not comment on my head twin's thoughts? ;o) xxx
*nods*
ReplyDelete:-)
This reader listened to this entry.
ReplyDeleteThis reader agreed with this entry.
This reader found this entry interesting.
This reader thanks you.
Listened, agreed, found both interesting and containing of good ideas, and thought that although agreeing and finding interesting are both valid ideas which would fit well with the whole blogging ethos, he actual 'listened' box is very similar to the statistics of hits on your blog - one can only assume that where you've had a hit, someone has read at least your most recent entry. That's what I choose to believe, anyway =)
ReplyDelete