Comments on: Call and response

By: Mark

Mark — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 14:40:40 +0000

Agreed Ove. But I also try to be considerate that it takes time for people to also visit and leave comments. So I try to reciprocate as much as I can, I can’t say I aways get to every one.

By: Monte Stevens

Monte Stevens — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 23:22:43 +0000

This is all pretty new to me, the blogging, even thought I’ve been on here just over a year. I’ve not dialogued much but have started to find a place. It requires me to have opinions and ideas regardless of what others may thin of them. I find it enjoyable to read these as well as participate in them. Again, Paul, another good post!

By: Ove

Ove — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:56:13 +0000

But, sure, I see the time constraint quite a few of us suffers from, and I understand also that some posts are more articles than discussions. There are no easy answers on how to approach this…. I guess you’d better do what feels best, both as a writer and as a reader.

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 18:33:19 +0000

I try to respond to most, but know I end up missing a few or need to do bulk thank yous just because of time constraints or that it is really, really late at night. I do like the interactions, but also wonder how many people come back to look for responses. There is not a good way of collecting data on this. The follow comments via email is a good idea if people want to keep up with a particular post. But with all the other emails, RRS feeds, etc, etc – I can see where time and overload become issues.

Good post Paul. I like the call and response analogy – I learned something today.

By: julie

julie — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 10:56:53 +0000

Quite iften I start typing replies to my comments but then i realise i’m repeating what i originally posted, or what they posted, or just saying ‘thanks for responding’ over and over again and i think it sounds shallow so i delete it. I hope people don’t think i don’t appreciate their input – quite often the comments are the best part of my posts!

By: Ove

Ove — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 07:28:15 +0000

I’m definitely like the responding blogger more than the silent. I always quit coming back after a while if he or she never responds. A definite show-stopper is when someone seemingly continuously responds to others and ignores yours. I’m too sensitive to this and starts to think I must be so uninteresting.
Good post and question, Paul.

By: Earl

Earl — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 17:08:08 +0000

Language itself may be imprecise, but as Ray stated when written you lose all non-verbal communications — body language, hand gestures, etc.

Many POWs have claimed that what kept them sane and able to go on day-after-day was somehow establishing communications with other POWs — morse code by tapping on the walls, passing notes, etc.

I think everyone likes or perhaps needs to be heard and the clearest sign of being heard is when you get a response. That’s why it’s so important to reply to your commenters. Nice post Paul.

By: Steve Skinner

Steve Skinner — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 16:39:07 +0000

I enjoy the back and forth interplay; one learns so much more that way.

By: Paul

Paul — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:28:54 +0000

True. As I have found out, language is very imprecise. There are whole levels of interpretation that happen, sometimes unintended, when having a conversation either in person, via e-mail, or on a blog. Tangents do lead to interesting side conversations.

By: Ray K

Ray K — Thu, 07 Jan 2010 14:49:02 +0000

Just a thought Paul
Some conversations don’t translate well to being written, the nuance of spoken words and side references in a verbal exchange sometimes carry the whole of an idea more than the actual words. Tangents and delivery sometimes are more revealing to me than the actual words.