TWO KINDS OF GATHER MEMBERS. WHICH ONE ARE YOU?

After having been a Gatherer for three years I have come to the conclusion that there are basically two different kinds of members. There are the serious writers of fiction and non-fiction who have something to say, enjoy meaningful communication, and for whom earning points is of secondary consideration.

The second type of participants on Gather are mainly into amassing points for purely material gain. These folks accomplish their aims by posting chit-chat and various forms of trivia.

The first group attracts like-minded members who enjoy reading serious material and posting their comments. This is real communication. The second group communicate on a more primitive level, something akin to the cackling of geese.

Now please don't get me wrong. I'm all in favor of small talk. It has it's place in the course of human interaction, and on Gather is no exception. However there is one drawback - it is impossible to be on both sides of the fence. One must decide whether one wants to be taken seriously or merely a twitter partner.

Personally I like to engage in all forms of communication, both the serious and the frivolous. However when I attempt to emulate the amassers of huge numbers of points I garner no more than I do on my more serious posts. Why is this? Because of the expectations of the readers. If you have a reputation for posting trivia you won't get many serious viewers. And conversly if you are known for your serious posts you won't get many trivia fans.

So the lesson to be learned here is stick to the form of writing you are best at and be content with the range of comments you receive. And most importantly, keep in mind that 5 or 10 quality comments are worth 50 to 100 trivia comments.

Happy posting to all, and to all a good comment.

Comments: 26

Gwen K Jul 28, 2009, 2:27pm EDT

You make some very good points here... but i see myself as somewhere in between...

Thomas Millington Jul 28, 2009, 3:24pm EDT

Gwen: Good for you! I, too, straddle the line, posting on both sides. But I don't garner the points that the trivia specialists do.

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La Lady Lisa Westerfield Jul 28, 2009, 3:25pm EDT

I think this article may have been true three years ago, but I think Gather has made an effort to try and even things out. Now of course you hear a lot from members who used to amass tons of points no longer being rewarded for such yet you don't hear most of the writers (of which that category would be mine I suppose) tell them that Gather has changed and they need to go somewhere else.

Thomas Millington Jul 28, 2009, 3:28pm EDT

Lisa: You may be right; I hope so. We'll see.

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Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 28, 2009, 3:31pm EDT

I try to do it all !!!!

Thomas Millington Jul 28, 2009, 3:43pm EDT

Peter: Good for you. That's what I try to do too.

Peter Joseph Swanson Jul 29, 2009, 12:53pm EDT

OK !!!

(now waiting for your "Gather poem")

ha ha

Thomas Millington Jul 29, 2009, 2:04pm EDT

I already have 1 or 2 on Gather. Am I 1 step ahead of you?

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Greg Spinks Jul 28, 2009, 4:49pm EDT

Thinking I try both sides as well, serious and trivial. Maybe more on the plus serious side. But then I see a possible third writer. It's not serious nor trivia (funny, silly, humourous, political) But the folks who report every ten minutes about the bird that flew past the window and the burnt toast and what i am eating for lunch. I guess that is important as well but it is just boring. Who cares if I ate a sardine sandwich with onion for breakfast?

Thomas Millington Jul 29, 2009, 6:52am EDT

Greg: Good insights. I agree. I like silly from time to time; it keeps me sane. The whole gamut has its place, but, I say, not if you're merely trying to collect "points". That's not communication, and that's what human beings are all about - communication. Telling the world what you had for breakfast, now that's communication.

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Ed Williams Jul 28, 2009, 9:11pm EDT

Thomas, I think you pretty much hit it dead on the head, nice job!

E3

Thomas Millington Jul 29, 2009, 6:52am EDT

Thanks Ed.

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Emily C. Jul 28, 2009, 11:40pm EDT

That about sums it up.

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Greg Spinks Jul 29, 2009, 8:09am EDT

no additional comments needed from this end
(see I just wanted to make some points!!)

gonna rain later and I need to get to Buba'buba's to some crawlers for cat fishng after lunch. for lunch we're going to have......

hey to all: have a happy!

Thomas Millington Jul 29, 2009, 11:33am EDT

Do you get points for this? Enjoy your catfish.

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Greg Spinks Jul 29, 2009, 12:06pm EDT

you know, I am not sure about points. hmmm, I'll go ask the helpful folks at the help center.

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Kevin (''The SiteWizard'') V. Jul 29, 2009, 12:18pm EDT

I think there is also a third group, albeit probably a small one. This third group enjoys earning points, and while points serve as an inspiration to their work or participation, it does not comprise their primary motivation for the sharing of content in the community.

Thomas Millington Jul 29, 2009, 12:30pm EDT

Agreed, thank you.

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Michelle S. Jul 29, 2009, 12:35pm EDT

whether you are a serious writer or the games/trivia writer (or even the what i had for breakfast & how long it took for it to come back out writer); it depends who is on your friends list, the kind of responses you receive.
those that post games & daily activities have people who post the same kinds of things, so they receive views & comments like...good one, nice shot, thanks for sharing; in multiples of 20 or 30. a serious writer flocks to serious writers. the comments are more in depth & meaningful. if you have "serious" friends; they aren't going to appreciate it if you do a trivia game. if you have "goofball" friends; they aren't going to give you great feedback on a serious post. jmo :)