No I'm not. But it occurred to me after I returned from my vacation and found this as the most coherent comment I'd missed when I'd gone:
"Thanks for every one of your labor on this site. My niece really loves carrying out investigations and it's really easy to see why. I know all regarding the compelling ways you convey very helpful tips on this web site and as well as cause participation from others on the area so our princess is truly studying a whole lot. Enjoy the remaining portion of the new year. You have been performing a remarkable job."
Flattering spam aside, does seem like a big change has occurred in the way people converse on this blog. In short, they don't.
I suppose my crankiness and ingratitude has chased off some of my once-routine commenters here.
But I think more to the point is that when people want to engage on an issue, they want to do it in front of the biggest crowd of their friends and enemies that they can find. Which is, of course, on Facebook these days. And Twitter.
I put up every one of these posts on Facebook and Twitter, and so many of the conversations ensuing from my posts happen there, instead of here.
Which kind of sucks, because Facebook is a place where it's even more rude to be rude, and where one feels like a windbag for making a comment longer than 50. And Twitter is no place to have a conversation, unless you're R2D2 or something.
But what the hell. When in Rome, do as the Romanians do.
So yeah, I'll leave the comments open here, to facilitate the occasional yakfest. But though sticks and stones will break my bones, Comments (0) can never hurt me.
I couldn’t agree more. I found that comments on my blog dropped dramatically — maybe the ‘market’ is just too full.
I also post a link to my blog on Facebook, and I’ll normally get more comments on Facebook (where it’s just a link) than the blog. Which means, people have to click the link; read the post; and GO BACK to Facebook to leave a comment.
My last blog post actually generated FOUR comments on the blog itself. I felt like I’d hit the lottery.
But, like most writers, I write because I feel like I have to; audience be damned. It does, however, certainly affect how *often* I post to my blog (when I know people are reading, I’m more likely to update more frequently, obviously).
You’ve dangled the comment carrot so I’m throwing you this comment bone – right here on your blog! Always entertaining Dave!
Mary Kay, as I often say: “My niece really loves carrying out investigations and it’s really easy to see why.”
Maybe if you put up pictures of pretty girls or gave away prizes. You’re welcome.
MIKE, ladies and gentlemen!
David, your blogs to me are like hot chocolate in Siberia (or like that one stubborn Dutch dike that kept us from being completely inundated last week) Its just that you either think, is the world really waiting for my comments, or that you are too busy to take time to respond. And… I didn’t fully realise how important comments could be for the author which is of course quite ridiculous as I myself always want to hear people’s reactions to a speech for example.
Maybe its also that there’s soo much (good) articles and blogs published (by you) that you just forget that it’s people of flesh and blood toiling behind their laptops just like the rest of us that don’t run brilliant blogs. And that they like interaction to be inspired or pushed forward just like anyone would.
David, i will forever remember that you are not a brilliant writing machine but human too…:-) let’s drink to that in a few weeks in D.C.!
By God, Annelies, let’s drink DEEPLY to that.
Tap. Tap. Tap.
Is this thing on? 🙂
@Chris: Sorry, Sir. My lack of response to you explains the lack of response to LOTS of posts, mine and others. Sometimes–most of the time–you read a thing that’s good and you say, “Hey yeah. Right on.” And you move on. Because the fucker has said something true. What else is there to say?
Right?
Absolutely cool – I was mainly busting chops. I don’t know if we ever met in person; I certainly attended a bunch of Ragan Conferences.
And then, I saw *every* other comment get a response. I was going to post something like, “It might even be worse to post a comment and get nothing but silence back,” but I thought that might even be too snarky for you!
Thank you for your explicit invitation to comment on your blog, Dave. I offer you encouragement to keep writing and keep the comments open because I often read but don’t feel I have anything clever to contribute to the conversation (as you can see by this comment :-/) One day, the light bulb may come on!
@Patricia, your wish is my command.
@Chris: As for you, go fuck yourself. (NOTHING is too snarky for me!)
I would comment more, but I fear it would detract from my golf game. That’s logical, right?
I have a category called “Best Blogs” in my Favorites list. Yours is the only one I read routinely. I could go on, but I’m getting close to 140 characters now and am starting to feel kinda woozy.
@Mike: Yes, purely.
@Tom: Well, thanks.
@all: I really wasn’t fishin’ for compliments with this post. But I’m eating them anyway.
Akismet has protected your site from 967 spam comments already.
There’s nothing in your spam queue at the moment.
(I have 5 legitimate comments, one mine, one my brother’s, two questionable, one a hater.)
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