I have been observing how the development of blog relationships closely parallels other relational forms from business exchanges to friendships and mutual support. What begins in the offering of a personal statement finds either a receptive or non-receptive hearing in another’s interest.

In the instance of this receptive hearing, my reader selects a dimension of my blog comments, and amplifies these in her own response. Writing back, she submits her comments to me— and reciprocally, I respond to those dimensions of her statements that speak to me.

Of course, continued dialog rests on the building of an engaged give-and-take, affirmed on both sides. Alternatively, the blog comment might ring empty for its readers (or find no readership at all!) in which case, no reciprocity occurs, and as writer, I try something new. This silence then, reflects a measure of disinterest.

Both response and silence shape the direction of the emerging blog. Periodically, I observe the effect of what I’ve written, refracted in its receptivity by others. That receptivity of others therefore shapes my sense of what is important in what I’ve written. That is, my original imagination of what is important is tested by others’ response. The reader, therefore,
affirms the value of the writing.

The feedback of others confirms the writer’s hypothesis of value: as others’ interpersonal responses confirm the consensual nature of simpler, non-virtual relationships

• BROWSE / IN TIMELINE
• « On Not Wanting To Know
• » The Current Economic Climate

• BROWSE / IN Blogging Psychology Relationships Self-Knowledge self-presentation
• « Joy in Discovery of Received Wisdom
• » The Current Economic Climate

• RELATED / YOU MIGHT FIND THESE INTERESTING
• No related posts