The Curse of Random Impulses Towards Conversation

[jaunthie]

I don't know why I occasionally try starting conversations on this blog. It never works. Oh, conversations spring up around the rare post, but almost never in response to an entry where I was actually *trying* to start a discussion. And yet I persist in the sporadic attempt.

I think these attempts fail because I get too wrapped up in my own thoughts, try too hard to be interesting, and wind up spewing nothing more than a bunch of half-baked, moderately-pretentious twaddle. I believe I do better when I just write about what interests me, and forget that someone else might read it and be interested in return.

Comments

[sunkrux.livejournal.com]

It's not that you're discussion posts aren't interesting...usually for me and my little brain, they're daunting. You are so more intelligent than I am that sometimes I worry that you'll think I'm just stupid or something. I know you wouldn't really think that (would you?) but sometimes I worry. But then I'm a born worrier.

[jaunthie.livejournal.com]

No, I wouldn't think that, for a number of reasons - one of which being that it's not true. No one who knows you would ever think that; you're very intelligent. I don't know why *you* would ever worry about that except for the whole born worrier thing. ;-)

It's an interesting perspective, though, because if I really am inhibiting conversation/comment because of my alleged intellect, what's the good of said intellect? Is intelligence a detriment to the free exchange of ideas?

[sunkrux.livejournal.com]

No it's not, it's just that sometimes I feel woefully inapt at trying to answer such thought provoking discussions. *hugs*

[fisherbear.livejournal.com]

I think it's just because you have contrarian friends who don't like to do what they're told. :)

A blog is fundamentally a monologue, anyway. You can invite the audience up on stage, but they may prefer to stay in the pit with their drinks. You don't need to forget they're out there (or I suppose you can, but then you might as well just keep a diary) but you don't need to worry about what they're doing, either.

So yeah, I'd say that "write about what interests you" is a pretty good plan.

[sunkrux.livejournal.com]

What he said. When have you ever really known me to like doing what I'm told? ;)

Besides, even when I don't answer your posts all the time, I am reading every one you post. It's how I keep up with what's going on with you and fishbear now that I can't come see you as often. *sigh*

[jaunthie.livejournal.com]

"A blog is fundamentally a monologue, anyway."

Very true, and even more true for some than others, I think. I have occasionally been told by other people that my blog is less commentable-upon than most, because I don't appear to be inviting conversation. Which isn't deliberate on my part, more a fundamental aspect of the medium, but I do occasionally try to correct that. With mixed results. ;-)

But yes, I think I'll just go back to blathering on about whatever interests me at the moment, and do my best not to worry about it.

[tylik.livejournal.com]

I can only speak for myself, but for me timing has a lot to do with things. Your bit about people being insanely busy all the time has been vaguely in my list of things I mean to get back to... but, well, I've been really busy, and it requires a somewhat real response. (When I'm doing one of my LJ drive-bys - so I can be "caught up" while only spending a few minutes while I'm also gulping down my lunch - I'll sometimes respond to things in fifteen words or less, but...)

Sadly, if you want responses, one should post something short and/or fluffy and/or inflammatory and/or ambiguous. Oh, there is the insecure and emotionally manipulative approach (wah, wah, I'm so alone and everyone hates me, I think I'm going to unfriend anyone who doesn't reply to this post, or that ilk) but that only works if you have a lot of people on your friends list who play those games.

I really enjoy having conversations on LJ, but entertaining myself online, while a favored vice, still often falls off my plate. (Okay, I'll take that metaphor violation...) (Huh. A plate of vice. Actually, I could probably use one of those about now. That could be a nice weekend...) I suspect that the way LJ manages ordering does not help this.*

* The problem with LJ in this respect is that at the top of your friends list is the most recent initial post, not the post with the most recent replies. If one really wanted to encourage extended conversations, there should at least be the option of sorting by most recent reply. Or, perhaps, having filter groups (mine might be "not morons" - and yes, there are a number of people on my friends list who I mostly keep friended because the whining and gnashing of teeth if I unfriended them is more annoying than skipping past their posts) that are sorted by most recent reply, with everyone else sort by most recent initial post.

[jaunthie.livejournal.com]

"Your bit about people being insanely busy all the time has been vaguely in my list of things I mean to get back to... but, well, I've been really busy..."

:-D The irony is not lost on me. And given that you're definitely another member of the perpetual-motion club (however you want to define it), I completely understand. (Which also leads to the question of whether all this activity actually inhibits communication/interrelation, but that's another post.) You make an excellent point about "real" replies taking a whole lot longer, and the general time/complexity ratio.

I think you should definitely take a day, sit down, and enjoy a nice hot plate of vice. With a side order of indulgence, and an aperatif of calm. Hm. That sounds good!

[tylik.livejournal.com]

Mm. Steaming hot vice.

Today has really been more about extra portions of yoga and sparring, but I've gotten a little bit of vice in there. And I didn't bite the back side of my roommate's neck. Of course, he doesn't know to be grateful of this.

It constrains communication. I don't think that's always a bad thing - there's a definite balance to be maintained there, and I suspect much of the drama in the world comes out of people not having another other things going on.

[monkeybard]

a) By the time you've posted something thought-provoking, you've thought it through and posted something very insightful to which all I can often add is "Word" because I agree and you've said it all eloquently enough without my help. Since I'm not a huge fan of that sort of reply--it being supportive yet ultimately pointelss--I choose not to clutter cyberspace with it.

b) Other times I think about your insightful/thoughtful post and just have nothing to say on that particular topic. (I know. Inconceivable! ;) )

c) Sometimes I just can't be bothered to think that hard.

Oh, and
d) Sometimes I just miss the post because I can't always keep up with everyone.

[jaunthie.livejournal.com]

a) "By the time you've posted something thought-provoking, you've thought it through and posted something very insightful..."

*blush!!!* Aw. Now I'm the one who's speechless.

b) "Inconceivable!"

I'd say I don't think that word means what you think it means, but in this case, I think it's just slightly misplaced. Unlikely - yes, that I'd buy.

c) What is it you said? Oh yeah. Word. ;-)