A Brief Comment on Blogs
I’ve noticed lately that occasionally blog comments get very long. What this generally means is that people do not read them. On this blog, brevity is paramount. Why? Because a blog is a way to dialogue, not monologue. Think of it this way: how much conversation occurs when the other person talks for five to ten minutes without interruption?
The point of this blog is to encourage all to have a chance to speak. So, I’m suggesting that if you write you think first of the reader, not the message you are trying to communicate. Back and forth is better than private gushing.
Thanks.
Skip
The length of the blog response speaks to the necessity to ‘convince’.
2nd line most true o wise one. Thanks
Thank you, Skip, for a much-needed suggestion. I am reminded of Proverbs 10:19–“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking. But he who restrains his lips is wise.”
Thank you, Skip, for being a good teacher.
I have to say that I skip the long ones! My loss, no doubt…
Thanks Skip, for bringing that to light. I must admit that I have skipped the long ones because I lose what point they are trying to make!
+1
We’re doing well so far, aren’t we! None of us have been lost in the exuberance of our own verbosity. 🙂
The longer the blog, the greater the fog!
Thank you Skip! Quit the ‘rabbit’ chasing.
Thanks, Skip, for this important suggestion. Yes, I too often skip (or scan) the long blogs…not because I’m not interested, but because of the time involved to read them all.
I’m happily noticing that all the comments, so far, are positive. That’s a good sign…that your readers can take in your suggestion and respond non-defensively…a sign of healthy people!
Aren’t you proud of us. 🙂 🙂
I like rabbits!
I also like white space. Really long paragraphs will lose me automatically.
Excellent exhortation, Skip.
It’s hard because I love the insights from the regular commenters here, but I actually don’t engage on the blog as much as I used to because I feel overwhelmed by the length of the some of the comments. And not having any fellowship locally, online is my only way to connect with other Torah pursuers. I sometimes feel like I can’t jump in and comment if I haven’t read every comment. Is there any interest in starting a Facebook group to discuss things in greater detail?
I believe there already is such a group, independent of me.
It’s a yahoo group that is just as difficult to follow as this style of blog.
to bad there isn’t a way to set up a bulletin board style of blog. Those are far more effective tools of interaction.
Yes, Yahoo groups have a terrible format. It became so confusing to determine who replied to what in what order… I gave up.
A Facebook group would probably be a better format. And since most people already use FB, it’s not “another thing” but more of a natural extension. I would, however, be very clear about the intent of the group, so it doesn’t degrade into anarchy. 🙂
i’m not on Facebook.
I very seldom read the much longer blogs. That aside my natural tendency is to have ‘diarrhea’ of the mouth. Thanks Skip.