The biggest fallacy of writing on the web is the idea that there is unlimited space, and as such limitation of space is of no consequence. That is not quite true. Instead of space, the true limitation of the Internet is attention.
The prolonged throat clearing or using words that make you reach for a thesaurus don't account for the paucity of attention that commands an economy of words and synthesis of thought, both presented with the crispness of a freshly laundered linen shirt.
brasileiro? latino? no speak americano?? click!
Photo Project: 52 Bolivian Sundays
good feedback!
smkelly8
September 19, 2012 at 11:34 am
Hi, I realize that you’ve received this award before, but I’m giving you the Inspirational Blogger Award. The details are here.
Also, I like colonists’ point.
3rdCultureChildren
September 19, 2012 at 11:49 am
Thank you sharing your point of view, Smkelly8! It’s always good to have others’ input. When I first saw that post, and then it got freshly pressed, I thought it was the perfect opportunity to start a conversation… For sure, we all need to be ‘clear’, ‘direct’, ‘objective’; but, there are consequences to that, we (as writers) end up having to ‘chop our ideas down’ in order to ‘get any access’ to the audience. Should we do that? what is our main goal, really? Are we seeking a broad audience, or are we here for the sake of blogging and truly expressing ourselves? Are we sharing experiences, or just out there for ‘followers’? The experience should not be an empty one – it should enrich us both, the ones who write, and want deliver a quality message, and the “readers”, who need to develop a good sense of patience, seeking good quality texts!!
BTW, thanks for the nomination!!! Will check it out!
colonialist
September 19, 2012 at 10:36 am
My reaction to this was:
The lack of attention towards offerings of greater substance could be argued as a symptom of today’s lazy attitude. Therefore the readership is at fault, not the writers. Still, what is the use of continuing to prepare banquets if all people want are hamburgers?
3rdCultureChildren
September 19, 2012 at 11:13 am
I guess that’s one of the reasons I reblogged the original post… It’s the whole thing about this new “generation twitter”, with short attention spam, impatient, where all the info needs to be concentrated within the “140-characters”, otherwise, ones risks losing its audience… it could also be seen as a good thing, forcing people to improve their writing skills, trying to keep themselves ‘on-target’… i totally understand your argument about ‘preparing a banquet if people are expecting burgers…’ But then, this type of idea/behavior may kill the writer’s original writing style… some people write very well, and they need WORDS & SENTENCES to do that. Sentences, need to be organized into PARAGRAPHS, each paragraph, carrying its own idea, as we all know… How to keep/respect/maintain a writing style, if we need to be concise, quick, to-the-point?? It’s a cyclic question, unfortunately… We’re becoming more and more dependent on technology, and each time, we have less time/space to truly express ourselves… So… what’s the answer, Colonialist? I’m asking because I’m truly puzzled… Thanks for sharing your thoughts, my friend!