by Four months ago, I posted an article here called Five Hundred Posts and Ten Thousand Comments celebrating the incredible comments we are fortunate to get here every day. Today, I am proud to share this Blog Stat with you:
15,035 comments? Wowser! Thank you! That’s over 5,000 new comments over
the last 120 days. That’s an average of 42 comments a day. Double
Wowser! That comment count does not include comments that are deleted
because they break our posting guidelines. If I published every single
comment offered here we’d probably be at 17,500 by now.
It is great to have comments from those who choose to participate here
on a regular basis because that direct involvement helps create history
and perspective. Commenters come and go but the ideas they leave behind
remain evergreen.
In the brief history of this blog — several lifetimes in the world of
the web — the current crop of regular commenters — you know who you
are! — offer the brightest minds and the most persuasive arguments we
have ever published.
I know the natural ebb and flow of the web requires people come and go
and that is the unpredictable power and pain of this blog.
One
commenter ebbs while a new commenter flows in to make arguments and
propose ideals that are even more fascinating and engaging than what
was published before. The intellectual elasticity of a blog is created
by its dedicated commenting core and by the ideas from new people who
wander in and then decide to stay awhile and for that I am forever
grateful to you. I have some questions concerning your interaction here
and I hope you will take a moment to answer each of them:
What influences your decision to post a comment?
After you post a comment, do you come back later to respond to those
who replied to you?
Do you read an article and comment right away or do you wait awhile to
think about what you want to say?
Do you prefer to wait to offer a comment until you see what others say
first?
What are your favorite article topics?
What are your least favorite topics?
What topics have yet to be covered that you would like to discuss?
How did you first find this blog?
Did you comment on the first article you read here?
Why do you keep coming back?
Ooh, I’ll give it a try before bed David =)
What influences your decision to post a comment?
If I feel I have something relevant to add about something that genuinely interests me, I’ll leave a comment. Normally, I won’t comment if there’s already an active discussion going on, because with study I rarely have time to read thorugh it all and make sure I’m not repeating what everyone else is saying.
After you post a comment, do you come back later to respond to those who replied to you?
I don’t often comment – if I do, I like to keep track of the conversation through Gmail.
Do you read an article and comment right away or do you wait awhile to think about what you want to say?
Thinking for a while. I try to write out more thoughtful responses to match all of the other commentators here.
Do you prefer to wait to offer a comment until you see what others say first?
Hmmm….not sure. See above.
What are your favorite article topics?
Everything, pretty much!
What are your least favorite topics?
Articles like this one…. 😛 Nothing, really.
What topics have yet to be covered that you would like to discuss?
Articles about college life and study would be nice to see, but of course, I think the writers are well past that phase in life. ❓
How did you first find this blog?
Blog Explosion 😀
Did you comment on the first article you read here?
I did.
http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/07/24/the-human-universal-beautiful/
Why do you keep coming back?
For the wonderful writing that I can’t find anywhere else on the ‘Net, of course 😀
Firstly congratulations ……. for providing the platform that enables such a high standard of comments.
Q. What influences your decision to post a comment?
A. Relevance – I f I can relate to a topic I am more likely to comment.
Q. After you post a comment, do you come back later to respond to those who replied to you?
A. Ususally – maybe not straight away – I also follow by subscription/email
Q. Do you read an article and comment right away or do you wait awhile to think about what you want to say?
A. This is always dependent on topic, sometimes I know what I want to say – other times I need to go away and think – and phrase correctly.
Q. Do you prefer to wait to offer a comment until you see what others say first?
A. If I know what I am going to say – I say it. I do check other replys if I take a long time to respond, to avoid duplication or make reference to other comments.
Q. What are your favorite article topics?
A. Those that make me think.
Q. What are your least favorite topics?
A. High Tech reviews that go WOOOOOOOOOOOOOSHHHHH over my head.
Q. What topics have yet to be covered that you would like to discuss?
A. Anthing that makes me think.
Q. How did you first find this blog?
A. Blog Explosion
Q. Did you comment on the first article you read here?
A. No – but I did blogmark you and lurk for a while.
Q. Why do you keep coming back?
A. I enjoy the discussions, I enjoy being made to think.
Hi Yvonne!
Thanks for answering all the questions!
😉
I appreciate your positive feedback and I will remember all your great ideas!
Sleep well.
Nicola!
Thanks for your precision again in answering!
I am always giddy when good, smart, people like you find us and then stay awhile. It’s great to meet new minds from places and distances that may be new.
To then learn how ideas and shared value systems can be universal is an appealing and satisfying discovery and it makes me think there may be hope for the future of us yet!
David!
Congratulations!
And, Thank you for making me wearing my thinking cap
again! I will try to be as specific as I can while I answer your questions!
What influences your decision to post a comment?
– If I think I have enough to contribute, I normally post a comment.
After you post a comment, do you come back later to respond to those who replied to you?
– Yes. May not be right away because of time constraints – but I do come back.
Do you read an article and comment right away or do you wait awhile to think about what you want to say?
– Depends on the topic and time.
Do you prefer to wait to offer a comment until you see what others say first?
– No. The only reason I wait is ‘time’. I write what I want to write, regardless of my status as a commenter (first, second, last….doesn’t matter!). But I definitely read others’ posts because I learn and change!
What are your favorite article topics?
– Everything that is readable.
What are your least favorite topics?
– It doesn’t apply.
What topics have yet to be covered that you would like to discuss?
– Everything, that slows me down and makes me think with a capital “T” !
How did you first find this blog?
– I was searching some information about “INTJ” people.
Did you comment on the first article you read here?
– Yes! Very much! Without wasting a single second!
Why do you keep coming back?
– Because, I love your style of writing,
– There are so much to learn, and
– There is so much to read!!! 😀
My decision to post a comment is based on whether or not I know anything about the subject at hand, whether or not it piques my interest, and whether I have anything to contribute to the discussion. I usually try to respond to those who respond to me unless it seems like their comment is the end of a conversation.
Sometimes it takes me awhile to formulate an opinion on a subject matter discussed. I usually like to think before I speak or in this case type and send. But it is not always conveyed in what I say.
I don’t need to wait for others to comment first in order to form an opinion or to use their comment as a springboard for other comments.
I’m not sure I have a favorite or least favorite topic. The articles are generally very well written and there seems to be a great deal of thought behind them as well as most comments that are posted.
I found this blog because a friend of mine was trying to find information about her personality type INTJ and she stumbled on your site. They article was already many months old. She sent me the link and it was a well crafted article so I several more blogs. I may have read a month or two more blogs before posting my first comment. I wanted to evaluate the consistency in the quality of the articles as well as comments the people posting on the site. Some blog sites have a few quality posts that are flukes or have shady characters that just wish to “hook up” or post only when they feel like it.
I keep coming back it feels like a safe environment of intelligent people who can speak freely without being disparaged for their opinions.
Thanks for what you do here. 🙂
These two sum it up for me
“To then learn how ideas and shared value systems can be universal is an appealing and satisfying discovery and it makes me think there may be hope for the future of us yet!”
“I keep coming back it feels like a safe environment of intelligent people who can speak freely without being disparaged for their opinions.”
Well said !
Wow, Katha! Thanks for the wonderful comment!
I remember our initial INTJ discussions. Those were grand days!
I am grateful for your participation here. You not only provide thought-provoking comments, but you also write great articles that inspire even more discussion! Thank you!
“What influences your decision to post a comment?”
I tend to be more inclined to post/respond to the more thought provoking and intellectual threads.
“After you post a comment, do you come back later to respond to those who replied to you?”
Absolutely! It would be rude not to receive other responses to a reply of my own. I guess it would be like evesdropping on a conversation and making a comment as you leave the room. I like to be fully engaged in conversation. A speaker must always be looking for feedback from the audience. Whether it’s audience body language, questions or remarks. It’s all relevent to the delivery of information.
“Do you read an article and comment right away or do you wait awhile to think about what you want to say?”
It depends on my mood, but I try to speak intelligently about a topic instead of flying off the cuff. I usually miss the mark of the topic if I’mbusy and fly off the cuff. Right Dave? 😉
Do you prefer to wait to offer a comment until you see what others say first?
This also depends on whether I am knowledgeable in the topic/subject. Whether I agree with something I deliver to the post or not, I try to play “devils advocate” offering up ideas into the topic/subject that might be overlooked.
What are your favorite article topics?
I like articles that engage the brain and emotion equally. Articles such as:
http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/08/21/a-stretchable-morality/; AND
http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/07/30/men-in-pastels/
I also like the offhand topics such as:
http://urbansemiotic.com/2006/02/11/the-great-american-brownies-debate/
The offhand “entertaining” topic offers the mind a recess while mainting the mental engagement.
“What are your least favorite topics?”
I tend not to post in the less thought process topics.
“What topics have yet to be covered that you would like to discuss?”
Not sure yet as I am still new to the site. I am trying to scour the posts to find topics of interest.
“How did you first find this blog?”
A peer of mine told me about it stating the site was mentally stimulating and something I would find interest in. Not sure if the person posts or not as I have not found the users real name.
“Did you comment on the first article you read here?”
Yes, but I’m not sure which topic.
“Why do you keep coming back?”
To aggrevate the mind my fellow intellects by offering up ideas and thought provoking suggestions and questions.
How am I doing?
Hey A S!
Thanks for your comment. Another INTJ visitor! Wild! That was a fun set of articles to write.
I especially appreciate your comments about it being safe here and we try to make that happen on several level. We work for safety by design and purpose. No one is assaulted with blog ads or flashing banners here. We aren’t trying to engage you to get you to click-through on an advertisement so we can make money.
Vicious comments never make publication. Comments that are purely angry and atonal do not get posted. I love all commenters but not all comments.
😀
I am especially happy with the fact we can disagree with each other here but that doesn’t mean anyone has to leave unjustifiably hurt or outraged. We do not share a gang mentality.
Sometimes we’re blunt — and some get offended by that and leave and never come back — but we are not cruel by design or intentionally wounding in any vicious way and I know that comes through clearly in our purpose together because of the comments we continue to get and by the sort of fine review you just provided.
I agree with you, Nicola!
I also thank you for explaining to me in email the myth behind the “gooseberry bush” and the delivery of children in the UK.
😀
Well done, Cryptic, and thank you for your comments — you obviously always put a lot of thinking and energy into your work here — and I appreciate you taking up a minority viewpoint if it hasn’t yet been expressed just to see what might come of that new path.
David,
I am grateful to you and the other writers / commenters here for such great information. I am also thankful of the work you do here to moderate the comments understanding that that must be a huge undertaking.
I love the fact that there are a myriad of differing opinions and each one seems respected even by those who have greatly opposing views.
I also like the fact that many people here are much more informed than I which is great as I am always learning something new here.
I wish you increasing success as you help widen the mind of the masses.
For the record, my friend is INTJ, I am not.
Great comment again, A S, thanks!
Most of the time I spend here is not writing posts or responding to comments — I spend most of my time cleaning the database, working the moderation queue and manipulating our Spam blocker to make sure everything runs fast and clean when times get busy here.
I have to confess to being an INTJ as well ……………. maybe it is a like minds thing ?
Thanks for the comment, Dave!
You always provide a provocative thought or angle on the day and I am entirely grateful for that dedication to expanding the conversation.
You were directly addressed in the “Men in Pastels” conversation and I would have loved to have read your response to the questions asked of you, but I guess you didn’t make it back there in time to reply before I had to close the conversation.
Oh, now that’s wild, Nicola! So many of my favorite people here in this discussion today have an INTJ connection!
It’s wild because we’re so rare. We know we fit in everywhere and can do anything, but no one else really understands us enough to comprehend that. They are threatened by our quiet and by our enjoyment of the company of our selves.
What influences your decision to post a comment?
Usually it’s the topic. I’ve never seen such a diversity of topics anywhere else on anyone’s blog. I visit every day and am always guaranteed something different.
After you post a comment, do you come back later to respond to those who replied to you?
Yes! Always!
Do you read an article and comment right away or do you wait awhile to think about what you want to say?
It depends on the topic. Usually I know what I’m going to say, but sometimes, the right wording needs some thinking about.
Do you prefer to wait to offer a comment until you see what others say first?
No I don’t. If I’m going to offer a comment I’ll do it regardless of others 🙂
What are your favorite article topics?
What are your least favorite topics?
I don’t have any favourite or least favourite topics as such because everything in so well written. However, I don’t usually comment to Politic posts because Politics is really not my forte, and I don’t feel that I could do myself or others justice by bumbling my way through a comment that would show so clearly my ignorance of Politics hehe.
What topics have yet to be covered that you would like to discuss?
Hmmm, dare I say this? Spirituality. What are we doing here? Where are we from? What comes next? 🙂
How did you first find this blog?
Surfing on BlogExplosion.
Did you comment on the first article you read here?
Oh blimey. I have absolutely no recall haha. I think I surfed on by a few times before I finally left a comment. Even when I surf now, your blog pops up every single time 😀
Why do you keep coming back?
Why not David? This is an awesome blog with a whole wide range of topics with some pretty awesome writers and commenters!
And just as a last note … Keep up the fabuloud work!! 😀
It is quite awesome to find so many in one place – the more I think of it – the like minds thing is important and one of the reasons I enjoy participating so much here.
I agree, Nicola, it is fun to talk to like-minded people who don’t always — or need — to agree on things. That makes for a lively discussion.
However, those who are used to a pack mentality and a cursory exploration and tacit support for mainstream thoughts that are ordinary and ineffectual don’t always “get” what we’re trying to do here. I always welcome them but they rarely stay around very long.
Ok, here you go…
I am not an INTJ – but I love them because of their uniqueness!
Definitely I am not threatened, I am intrigued! 😀
What influences your decision to post a comment?
This blog does a good job stimulating me to think about subjects in a way that other media often fails to do. There isn’t an overt “us vs. them” feeling here, so it feels good to jump into the conversation and contribute.
The greatest thing about this blog is that it isn’t just a quick rehash of the top headlines in the news or the latest hot political debate.
After you post a comment, do you come back later to respond to those who replied to you?
I try to keep up with the conversation and participate. It’s part of the fun of this blog seeing what other people have to contribute. There’s a virtual community here.
Do you read an article and comment right away or do you wait awhile to think about what you want to say?
I’m guilty of reading and commenting right away.
There’s usually a new post when I fire up my office computer in the morning and I’ll usually jump in if no one else has.
Do you prefer to wait to offer a comment until you see what others say first?
I don’t mind going first to get things started.
What are your favorite article topics?
I like the issues that reach into the core of our humanity. That’s the thing that makes this blog unique. I like reading about other people’s lives.
What are your least favorite topics?
The product reviews aren’t bad, but I don’t really get too excited by them.
However, there is a large audience that appreciates the reviews. The number of comments about the cell phones shows there is great interest in the topic.
What topics have yet to be covered that you would like to discuss?
I want to see more people contribute to the “Four Corners” project. I want to see pictures that give a glimpse into people’s worlds.
How did you first find this blog?
Blog Explosion brought me by many times before I even realized what was going on here. Advertising people say that you have to expose people to a new message about 14 times before they start to even realize that they’ve seen it. That’s what happened to me here. It took me a while to appreciate Urban Semiotic.
The first post I paid attention to was “How Not To Blog,” but since I was new to blogging at the time, it took a while for that wisdom to sink into my mind.
Did you comment on the first article you read here?
I didn’t comment.
Why do you keep coming back?
I enjoy the way the blog stimulates me to think about the world around me in ways that I might not have considered.
The regulars also make it a nice place to visit on a daily basis.
I don’t really regularly visit any other blogs, but I always make a point of checking in to see what’s new here.
Hi Katha!
I remember your story!
You had a boyfriend who was INTJ and he was driving you crazy and you wanted to understand why…
Katha – I am intrigued – even though I am one. I have to confess when I consistently scored INTJ over a period of time – it was a kind of validation for me.
A little insight
As I child I never knew what I wanted to be when I was grown up – it always changed – it was never fixed.
I have done many things in my life, from bar maid, political activist (for three different parties), accountant, mother, computer software installer to sex educator – to name but a few. I have always managed to find something to turn my hand to.
I have never yet been able to concentrate or focus on one thing – I always have several on the go, and move on to the next as soon as I am *capable* to do so. A true jack of all trades and master of none.
My current “outside” projects mostly entail a mix of chaos management, trouble shooter and wise owl – who thinks outside the box. In my circles I have the accolade/honour of being called “the voice of reason” !
It took me a long time to realise and accept that I was never destined to follow one path – now I relish the changes and thrive on them.
Chris!
Thanks for the personal detail in your answer. You reveal a lot of good points for discussion — AS ALWAYS!
😀
I realize there are sites that are dedicated to product reviews and they probably do a better job of serving their audience than I do mine by splitting the baby and doing a review or two here.
Sometimes I can’t help putting up a review but it is always better to have a universal article that can be discussed instead of just reacted to in a nominal way.
I love your “exposure to an audience” information. That’s good and important news for everyone to use.
I always enjoy you “diving in” with your comments, Chris. You bring in additional resources to help buck up the discussion in innovative ways.
Your writing of articles is phenomenal and you add great depth to the urban core when you submit your work. You currently have 23 articles published here! That is the current World Record for Guest Authors!
Congrats and thanks again!
Ow…ow…ow…David…hold on…
I was definitely confused – I still am – but not threatened!
As far as something/someone driving me crazy – I start digging! ;D
Nicola –
I am ISTJ with a 100% “I” – forgot the rest! I am a conformist, but open and easy to learn and adapt.
I look for consistency, not at all good in “switch on/switch off” mode – that’s what confuses me most! 😀
And, if there is something that I don’t “get it” after putting enough time and effort about something/someone (friend/boyfriend/girlfriend/family/alien…) I follow one thing – “live and let live – why bother!”
Hi David,
Thanks for letting me contribute!
Your blog always inspires me to write about things I notice or read about. I know if I wrote them on my own, I wouldn’t an eighth of the audience reading them as comes here to read about the urban core.
Twenty-three articles.
Wow.
The articles add up quickly.
I received my first story idea from an Urban Semiotic reader the other day. If I write a 24th post about the Gary teacher’s strike, you’ll have to thank Gordon Davidescu for suggesting it to me in an email. I don’t think they’ve resolved their differences yet.
The nice thing about being a guest author here is not feeling pressure to produce a post every day on some pressing topic that affects humanity. It makes me appreciate the hard work you do here.
You make it look easy.
Hi Chris!
GORDON DAVIDESCU IS WORKING YOU OVER BEHIND THE SCENES?! Now that’s a pro! HE SHOULD BE WRITING ARTICLES INSTEAD OF PRESSING YOU TO WRITE ARTICLES!
I look forward to that article if you choose to write it!
The pressure to post every day is a pressure, Chris — but I’m glad it looks easy. There’s always a challenge to try to come up with something interesting even if it’s been roundly discussed elsewhere before… sometimes it works… sometimes it doesn’t…
I love it when you choose to contribute a new piece to give us another go-around in the urban core and the comments you get are always a delight to read!
Yes, that’s interesting for a post here, Dave, as is the other piece you previously mentioned concerning music changing over the decades…
Hi David,
I’m glad David let me know that the story was being watched nationally, since it’s easy to think it’s just a local labor dispute and not pay close attention to it. Although, I’ve been thinking about cruising by one of the schools to get some pictures of strikers if I do write something up about it.
Making story suggestions must be something Urban Semiotic readers like to do.
I have to admit I emailed a local reporter who’s also a blogger about a post I read in a NY gossip blog about the new MTV reality TV program “Juvies” that was filmed in our county jail because I was curious. It turned out to be a dispute between producers or something silly like that.
But the show looks interesting because it opens the doors to the usually closed-door and confidential society of the juvenile justice system.
Here’s what MTV writes about “Juvies”:
Here’s what the Long Island Press says:
This might inspire some posts. I’m curious to see what your take might be on it when you see the program.
Chris!
I can’t believe you gave away the “Juvies” scoop to a local reporter instead of running with it here as your own story!
Gah!
😀
The NY gossip blog wrote this referring to the original post:
From the attorney’s letter to Jossip:
Author’s note: Names are redacted since they aren’t important to this post.
I figured I’d let the professional reporter check the story out since it seemed fishy when I read first gossip post. If what was alleged had really happened, someone around our area would have known about it before now.
I wonder if you would have gotten a nice letter from an attorney if I had written a post about the gossip? 😉
Yikes!
I get it now Chris — ummm — let’s pass!
You don’t have to write a Four Corners piece, Dave. You can submit just about anything for an article submission.
Hi David,
I have a feeling the actual program should spark some interesting posts.
Our county’s juvenile jail holds kids who shoplifted items under $20 as well as kids charged with attempted murder.
From MTV:
Compare Stephen with fellow residents Jasmine and Jacinta:
The show reflects life in our county.
I agree, Chris! This is an excellent topic for us to explore here!
When imprisoning young people is seen as a way to deter crime — you wonder why no one makes a connection between how a misspent youth spent jailed leads to adult criminal activity and imprisonment.