Ever heard that old expression, "A place for everything, and everything in its place?" In life, it's one of the most common rules that you'll ever encounter, especially when you're trying to get or do something.
In other words, if you're a heavy metal band looking for gigs, you don't call Fran's Folk-Rock Bar. If you're building credits as a short story writer, Reader's Digest is probably not a great fit for your X-Files-style opus about aliens co-opting the Swiss banking world. And if you're after a job, your Iron Chef-style kitchen mastery won't impress the Paradise County Crime Lab.
Makes sense, right? Otherwise, Fran's Folk-Rock Bar, Reader's Digest and Paradise County are wasting an awful lot of time. That's why they post house rules to screen out the random person who closes their eyes, crosses their fingers, throws a dart, and hopes for the best. Hopefully, everybody takes the hint, and follows suit, but not always.
I know the feeling, because I'm still periodically getting random comments from people who aren't reading the entries here closely. The latest came from somebody who extolled the virtues of veganism, that "Hubs is voluntarily on board," and how thankful they were not to live in the UK, or Ukraine.
But that comment came in response to, "Life's Little Injustices (Take XVIII): Medicine As A Business (Sticker Shock Strikes Again)," which talks about high medical bills, and how much they suck. There's no references to the UK, Ukraine or the virtues of veganism anywhere, so guess what? I didn't approve it, and it's headed to the virtual round file.
So if you're wondering, "What happened to my comment?" Well, now you know. Does that make you a bad person? No, but you're not reading too closely, either. That also goes for the guy who sent a link to his blog about Indian politics -- to gin up his numbers, I'm guessing. I ditched that one, too.
We post links here all the time, so that's not the issue. But they have to fit the theme of the entry, or the blog itself. Otherwise, what's the point? Read those little keywords on the right side of the main page. See any that say, "Hubs's vegan odyssey," or, "Modi-mania goes mad?"
If not, then save yourself the extra keystrokes. You can't wing the virtual equivalent of a paper airplane, and expect it to land. That's why I have moderation in place. Nothing personal, but without it, we'd probably get dozens of comments about Hubs's vegan deep dive, and God knows what else.
I learned as much on my website, where I once had to scrub a fistful of comments in elaborate Sanskrit cursive! It looked great, but it didn't belong there, so out it went. All I can say is, I hope they had fun.
One other point is worth repeating. From time to time, we get commenters who want to pick a bone -- and pick it, and pick it, and pick it. I'm presuming that's why, one time, I got a series of comments from somebody who just loved it when some Republican dickhead or other called Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez a foul name.
At first, I let them go, but when I thought a bit longer, I scratched them all. This isn't Danny's Virtual Dive Bar, where everybody just gets to yell over each other.
For my money, I believe in "one and done." That means, say your piece, then move on, and let others do likewise. To put it another way, if "The Jazz Odyssey" struck you as This Is Spinal Tap's finest hour, you don't need to embroider the point, over and over and over. Once or twice will do, thanks.
So, to sum up...
Whatever you comment on, make sure it has some bearing on the business at hand, Otherwise, it's going in the bin! Respect the space, and whoever is using it, including The Squawker and myself.
Or you can take your Jazz Odyssey Fix to the appropriate venue -- or Hubs, and his Vegan Deep Dive, for that matter -- along with your X-Files opus to the relevant venue. On the bright side, thought, the Miskatonic University Review might just love it. You never know -- different strokes, and all that, right? Right. --The Reckoner
"You can't wing the virtual equivalent of a paper airplane, and expect it to land." As a retired editor and writer, I enjoy watching you play with words but this was a ball smacked out of the park -- and into a target. Bravo!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth! It's the curse of the Internet, really -- it encourages a lot of random meandering through the shrubbery maze. All we can do now is hope the advice sinks in, so we can save ourselves a few keystrokes, on this end. Thanks for writing. --The Reckoner
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