The object of life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane.
Marcus Aurelius
Gather Writing Essential (moderated)
Welcome Gather writers to the Writing Essential! The Writing Essential was created as a home for Gather writers of all levels, from beginners to advanced writers, to congregate and publish their work and receive constructive criticism, as well as to share . . .
According on the online resource, Dictionary Dot Com, the definition for the noun “Editor” is explained thusly:
1. | a person having managerial and sometimes policy-making responsibility for the editorial part of a publishing firm or of a newspaper, magazine, or other publication. |
2. | the supervisor or conductor of a department of a newspaper, magazine, etc.: the sports editor of a newspaper. |
3. | a person who edits material for publication, films, etc. |
4. | a device for editing film or magnetic tape. |
I very rarely post any of my material to groups for the reason there invariably will be a comment where the owner of the group thanks me for posting to the group, along with a link to the group within the comment. I dislike the idea of advertising for comments. It has become an infectious disease, a literary pathogen of sorts, and of all groups to embrace this disorder, there is no group more guilty of this than “Writing Essentials”, and no group of people who promote the virulence of this virus than the editors of that same group.
Gather is a commercial enterprise built not around social networking or writing, but the idea of selling page hits to advertisers. Gather Points are not a reward for your creativity, but rather a device which will lead to the success of Gather’s mission, which is to get visitors to this site to visit as many pages as possible, therefore increasing adverting revenue. “Points Prostitutes”, those people who will put in an inordinate amount of time, effort and energy in pursuing Gather Points, have in a very distinct way defined the very culture of Gather, and how members interact with one another. It is human nature for people to want to be as successful as other people, even if the definition of that success is actually detrimental. It’s a lot like being at a frat party where there are several people trying to get more intoxicated than the others.
Writing Essentials could distance themselves from this sort of activity rather than promote more of the same, but as of yet I have not seen this. The people who hold the title of “Editor” could do very well by themselves to promote the craft of writing, yet I have seen very little of this. Writing is impossible to teach, yet there are many methods available to guide the novice writer into a more structured habit of writing.
Writing Essentials utterly and completely fails as a medium for writers. It has become instead a method of self promotion for those whose ability extends not far past the mechanics of sending a mass email. Writing Essentials is just another group, amongst thousands of others, where people can hit a button, add a group, and hope that by spreading themselves as thin as possible, this might Gather more points. This has nothing at all to do with the craft of writing.
Take Care,
Mike
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Comments: 31
You are either part of the problem, or you are part of the solution.
It is very easy to see which part of the equation you have decided to fall upon.
The very best teaching is done by example.
You claim to be an editor yet you are very little else than a lapdog.
Read John Stuart Mill. You will either allow an opposing opinion, or you will by the nature of your oppression, be declared a coward by it.
It is necessarily a very bad idea to declare war on those who write better than you.
(In case you're wondering, I'm not a creative writer-- I spend most of my time promoting the work of other writers and artists).
I don't see anyone telling you that you aren't allowed to express your opinion. Can we get past the pretentious John Stuart Mill references now?
For the record, I think Atticus is a fine writer, and I've never heard of you. The prompts that Atticus has provided as a GWE Member Editor have nothing to do with Gather's orientation towards SEO articles.
I don't disagree that GWE has been hit or miss with many of its member editors. However, there are people trying to keep the flame alive. You're painting with a broad brush here, and getting a lot of that paint on yourself as a result.
If you do not disagree with me that GWE has been hit or miss with many of its editors you've effectively agreed with me.
Thank you for your support.
You see the same things I do, obviously.
The frustration is at times overwhelming. Speaking to the people here about writing is like trying to have a conversation about relationships in a strip bar.
I agree all the way to till I got this..
"Writing is impossible to teach,..."
Writing is a craft and if the person is at all literate to start with it can be taught. CREATIVITY, Style and Voice are another matter...
It cannot be taught.
I think you mean the NEED to communicate over the ability.. different things.
Remember what Twain said.. "at some point one must admit that they are a professional whether they are paid to play, or paid to stop..."
Does this justify it?
Is there another way, rather than playing by the cultural rules?
Damn fine observation, by the way.
Is there another way? Of course there is, but I would dare not mention it to one who already resides atop Mt. Olympus for surely you are omniscient.
I lead by example here.
You?
Illogic: If you don't like something make a big stink for no particularly good reason other than making you feel like you're something impressive.
Should I rewrite this using all $10 words, too?!
>>There is very little point in taking this too seriously.<<
Cool, since you lost "serious" long ago.
And you lead by example? Oh yes, I see your many followers. I can see just as many, if I'm blindfolded.
Marcus Aurelius
Or did you miss that? It is better to be good, than liked, Lynn.
If you don't like something make a big stink for no particularly good reason other than making you feel like you're something impressive.
There was a big stink? And I missed it? I thought it was all over and forgotten.....until now.
When did I lose serious? How long ago? Did I lose Roebuck also?
Tabula Rasa, which is one of the central themes of Steven Picker's book, "The Blank Slate" which states we are not born with our brains empty, ready to be filled with whatever is put towards them, but rather we are hardwired with certain information, and geared towards certain prompts, to which we we react, predictably.
The most predictable among these, Lynn, is a certain sense of aggression linked with innate human territoriality.
I'll sell you that last word for ten dollars.
Fleas
Adam Had'm.
Ogden Nash
Veni, vidi, vinci.
Julius Ceasar
See? I can spout quotes that have no bearing on anything, too. Figured you're in this to see yourself write, given there was no other purpose in either your original post or your responses. Why not keep writing about nothing in particular?
As for your $10 word. I was gyped. You took a $3 word and then made it bigger for no purpose. Check out how I'm connected to this group. I'm not. Found this as an aside from something else I was checking. I see a theme. Carry on. You're right. This was nothing.
I suspect you are looking for neither, and so have found what you were looking for.
See? I can spout quotes that have no bearing on anything, too.
The quote I used very succinctly describes my entire point. That's why I used it. If you examine it, and examine my post you will find the two in agreement, clearly.
This isn't about a group, and it never was, it is and still is, about writing, and whether or not we can rise above the commercialism and twitteresims long enough to actually string together a few sentences that reflect something bigger than who might be doing what in Hollywood.
Other than a lot of baseless accusations, you've yet to make an argument, defend a point, or do anything but attempt to insult me and my responses to you. If you are part of a group are you just so totally bored with what they have to offer this is your idea of a good time? Or do you strive to prove my point for me, by assuring anyone who reads your comments I am spot on when I say there are so few out here who can, or will, actually try to write something worthwhile?
You so much exemplify all I am trying to proves exists here I fear I might have to put you on the payroll as an employee.