Joystick For AR

Hi Jon,

I never saw your previous post but I agree with you. Everyone is different and has different interests. I do not blog and photoblog for business but I do hope it brings my name up higher on Google. I really do this because I love to do it. I just bought a new camera and spent over $1000 because I wanted a better camera. I love taking pictures and I carry a camera with me wherever I go. Sure enough if I forget it for some reason, I miss a great shot.

I have met some nice friends on ActiveRain and love to read their comments. It seems like we all go to each others posts. If someone new comments, I purposely go and read their blog. I think it is a friendly thing to do

Someone said recently that getting remarks is like getting Christmas cards. So true but you must give to receive. I read another post last week where someone said, I put these posts in for members to comment so comment! I laughed at him. This blogger is very popular so I am not sure why he was upset.

Any blog I open, I comment on unless for some reason I cannot understand what they are talking about. This is rare.

One more comment. I read one way to get featured articles is to stir up the readers where you get positive and negative comments. Creating good feedback is important.

Sorry I rambled on.

Happy Holidays.

Hi Jon,

AR has something for everyone, and some interesting things happen when some do not move along with their mouse and choose to leave comments from different viewpoints.  Some of those comments are constructive; some destructive.  I like how you freely express your views and offer up creative musings!  To each their own!

Jon - We are a social people, with diverse opinions.  The tragic reality is we may also be very judgmental ... it's our way or no way!  Sadly, if we never open our minds to the perspectives of others ... we never have the opportunity to expand our reality!  I appreciate your opinions ... even the one with which I didn't agree (LOL)!!

Write what's on your mind ... and then I am free  to read ... or comment ... if you don't write ... then you have taken that freedom from me!

Jon - No one on ActiveRain has the right to tell you you're wasting your time when you post something about the feature system.  Those who receive an abundance of features will tell you (sometimes with false modesty) that they have no use for featured posts, but off the record, they LOVE receiving a feature.  The fair-haired boys and girls who are the beneficiaries of the features are going to tell you "it's AR's playing field, they can do as they like", or they might tell you, "you're wasting your time blogging about this".  Either way, the folks who love the system as it is now have no interest in seeing anyone question it.

I was pleased to see Maureen McCabe tell it like it is, and she's a remarkably successful blogger who has been around ActiveRain for a very long time.

Granting a feature implies competency and superior work.  So the protest that "features mean nothing" is phony.  If features truly mean nothing, let's get rid of them and stop implicitly endorsing bloggers who are not exactly the real estate equivalent of Mark Twain.

Unfortunately, there are (and probably always will be) posts featured that would leave an awful lot of people scratching their heads, at least as long as AR continues the featured post system.  It looks like the Emperor will always be in need of clothing..

re: wasting your time on featured posts, I think the issue is not YOU wasting your time...it's that so many people have written and commented on posts about this topic, esp lately, so COLLECIVELY, it feels like a waste of time with everyone writing and commenting about it.  You just bore the brunt of it as it was your post this time.

Hi Jon - You're absolutely right - if something isn't engaging, just pass it by. I read your posts because there is often something there to think about - if I don't comment, it's usually because I don't have anything worthwhile to add to the on-going discussion. There are bloggers here I don't read because I'm just not interested in their subjects, and there are bloggers here I do read because I like watching train wrecks. But it's all my choice and my responsibility, and it's stupid to blame you or anyone else for wasting my time - I can do that just fine on my own.

Jon,

Mark me in your crowd!

Most of what I know about "Condo-hotels" I've learned from you.

Your stories about Russia are fascinating.

Your Americanism, is inspiring!

Don't worry about the "Frustration" life is frustrating! You're frustrated with the frustrated, don't let them bait you! If you respect them communicate if you don't, don't!

Bill

I read both your posts and also Karen Anne's. I thought the topic was handled fairly and the different perspectives and accompanying examples were necessary to make your point.  I don't know what the answer to this problem is but your suggestions are as good as any as far as I'm concerned. Someone said we should get rid of the feature system. Maybe that's the correct answer.

Jon, all you can do is write from your heart.  Sharing yourself is something that all of these posts about being Featured takes time away from.

You are a great blogger.  As far as your being Featured, I mentioned it recently, you have more "features" than I do... per 100 posts... so I know that many of the "less-featured" folks look up to you, as well.

Be yourself, share your heart, and try to only go to the negative... when you absolutely cannot help it.  That... is my suggestion.

By the way... there are those who have compared MY writing to Proust as well.  Unfortunately it was Ralph Proust, who used to work at a Target Store in Pittsburgh.  Oh well.  <dorky smile>

Jon:  You mentioned Ted Baker.  He and I, to a decent extent, are on opposite sides of the political fence, but the man is one of the sharpest guys I know on Active Rain.  Man, can he express himself.  When I want a good read... I pull up Ted's blog, and dive right in.  And... I have no trouble whatsoever reading through all of one of his posts... when I start reading it.

He and I many not agree much (although we often do)... but I do know that when I read his posts... that I will probably learn something.  Unfortunately, that can NOT be said about many of the other political "ranters" in many of the more conservative political groups here on Active Rain.

The diversity of the ActiveRain membership is no different than the diversity in life. Possibly because it is life, even if just a small slice. If I disagree with someone's post, I'll try to find another post to comment on if I can't say anything positive or contributory on the first one I come across. Generally, though, I try to stay away from sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll, religion, politics except with my closest of family and friends.