Something To Actually Make You Think

We all have a brain, though some don't work as well as others.  As a matter of fact, there are those whose brain doesn't seem to work at all at times.  There are various influences, both from within and from the outside world, that serve to stimulate our thought process.  Some of us can simply sit and day dream to get those creative juices flowing.  Others need visual or audio stimulation to get a bit of brain wave activity going...seeing a scene from nature, spying a friend, hearing a bird's song, a baby coo or the dull din of traffic passing by.  Something clicks in our minds and the thought process kicks into high gear.

Here on Gather, you see the varying degrees of intelligence put into the thought process as evident through the topics discussed in posts people publish.  Invigorating discussions are created when a subject is touched upon that people can relate to...politics, religion, sexuality and more.  Family, children and home life are things that many find in common with one another.  Almost anything can be shared and talked about, as long as others take the time to think.  Members of Gather come here for a variety of reasons and no matter what draws you here; we all have to think to a degree.

Recently, in a greeting to new members of the site, Gather chief, Tom Gerace, basically said everyone is welcome to do what they please here, within reason, and share almost any type of content...as long as it follows Gather's 'Terms of Service'.  Included in that list are 'games'.  There are those who don't like 'games', rate them as low as they can go and feel they don't belong.  No one tells you what you should or should not post, so those who pose questions to other members have the right to express themselves the way they'd like.  I'm not one who participates in many of the 'games' published on Gather, though, on occasion, I may leave an answer or two on a few comments threads.

I really don't mind the 'games' shared by others on Gather.  What I don't care for is the lack of effort some of these 'games' show.  I won't call those who post simple questions unintelligent, but they do come across as uncreative and not too stimulating.  Having been an active member of Gather for two years now, I've seen it all before...again and again and again.  'Name your favorite...pizza toppings, soft drink, color, animal, holiday, sexual position, etc., etc., etc.'  'List a word that begins with...A, B, C, D...and so on.'  Some posts are as brief as only half a dozen words or less.  It takes but a couple of minutes to publish.  Not much time...not much thought.  People who post these type of 'articles' obviously are not here for anything else but the points and free gift cards.  They want the most they can get for the least amount of effort.  Boring!

I have no problem with those who are only on Gather for the points.  Hell, I like the points, too, considering the amount of time I put in on some of my posts.  Usually, I spend two or three hours writing, editing, and adding pictures to present something at least a little entertaining in various ways...something to stimulate your mind and activate the thought process.  There are actually days I make $1 an hour for the time I've spent on Gather.  I could be making a lot more than that if I didn't care about what I present for others to read...but I do care; my choice in the way I do things.  With the success you have bestowed upon me, I could very easily 'point whore' for some big bucks doing nothing but posting games, stealing news items written by someone else from papers and magazines, jokes received by way of E-mail, songs borrowed from video sites and the like. A primate could do as much.

I know many of us could use some extra cash in our pockets.  I'm among that crowd and could use it more than others.  I've thought about going that route, but I just can't bring myself to do so...again, my choice.  For some reason, I just can't allow myself to compromise on what I offer the membership here.  I don't claim to even be a writer; just someone who jots thoughts down to share.  Yes, I'm long-winded; very long-winded.  That's my style.  You're right.  Sometimes, I just don't know when the hell to shut up.  I'm somewhat opinionated and am not afraid to speak my mind...even if I happen to be wrong or my views don't match others.

In regards to those who post 'games', I see many of them wondering why their point total doesn't rise rapidly since they've shared a dozen or more 'articles' a day that have received a large amount of comments total.  Keep in mind here, whether someone has visited your post and left one or one hundred comments; you only get credit for one page view...and page views are what generates points.  Granted, you may have the #1 'Most Discussed Article' of the day, but it doesn't make you any more points.  That distinction may gain you a couple more people to view your 'articles', but if what you write doesn't capture their attention; they won't be back.

All I'm saying is, 'Be creative.'  Think before you hit that publish button.  If what you are sharing satisfies you; it might not others.  When you run across an 'article' like the one you've shared; have you been stimulated that much...or does that same type of post seem rather 'blah'?  Do they really make you think much at all?  'List words beginning with 'N'...'  *Opens dictionary and copies words onto a comment thread*  Now, who can't do that?  Not too difficult.  Put a little effort into what you share and entice others to keep coming back.  You'll find your network will grow, you'll receive more page views and comments...and you'll make more points/gift cards/cash.  Embellish those 'articles'...jazz them up...make them eye catching, interesting and entertaining.  Maybe add an image or two.  It doesn't hurt and you might be surprised by the results.

Basically, what I've shared in this post up to this point is nothing more than a lead-in to the basis behind what I'm really publishing today.  I'm sure I've prodded a few folks to actually think already to get this far...unless you're one of those who reads the first couple fo sentences and leaves a comment based on what you've read up to where you left off.  I've experienced that many times, as evident by the comment left...not taking the time to read the whole 'story' and missing the most important part, which I leave until the end on quite a few pieces.

I want to keep you thinking...and have a little fun in the process.  I'm doing a little point whoring, but I wanted to prove a point, too.  It's game time!!!  Pretty lengthy just to ask a question and make a list of answers to pick up a few points, but it goes to show you simple 'games' can be more than just a few words.  This isn't your typical word game.  I'm pretty sure this has never been asked before.  I took the time to think a little and add some creativity.  I'm not looking for words that contain a certain letter like all the other 'word games' do.  Here's my 'word game' today..... LIST WORDS THAT CONTAIN A NUMBER!

Huh?  Rob, you big dummy, words contain letters; not numbers.  Well, yes...and no.  Here's where you have to think.  Some examples:  h-one-y, h-one-sty, n-one-xistant, wonderful (1-derful), tonight (2-night), h-eight, w-eight, straight (str-8), hate (h-8), asi-nine, ten-acious, ten-nis.  You get the idea.  One word per comment, please.  Leave as many as you'd like.  Repeat words others have used are alright.  Now, get to it, have some fun and...THINK!