members up.....readership and comments down

I've noticed the same thing, John. And like you, I will continue to write regardless..

I don't even think about points when I read or write, John. But I suppose this is an incentive program in place here that really drives some people to write. It all depends on how you view Gather: I personally see this as a place to meet intelligent and fascinating artists and writers and work shop my poetry: Depending on the comments I receive I decide if the poem is worthy of future publication. I really just like getting and giving comments, as well: the author-author relationship it develops, where encouragement and praise work to inspire and fuel writer's dreams and hopes. But I am probably a quixotic type dreamer who writes just for writing sake, and knows that good writing will eventually find its own audience. I make my living teaching, and my wife and I are quite comfortable even when I don't work (so I can write my novel, play, etc. the last three years) because she has a good job here in Spain and we own our own home. I know from my own experience that paying rent in urban centers of the US is very difficult for many young writers, so the 'points' motive must seem awful compelling at some "point." But I still think it distracts from the pure aim from the interior of the writer or poet or artist to produce their best work, their authentic "stuff."
Thanks for bringing up the topic, John.

'place for writers to write and get feedback' ..."

I stumbled onto a thread recently that refered to gather as "a social networking site".

Gather's initial focus on writers died a long time ago.

John, I'm not really into poetry but do read some. I don't know enought about it to really rate it. If I enjoy it I usually commit and rate. If I don't understand it I just don't comment or rate.

This isfrom my own experience even whith my own family and people who know me. I honestly believe that many people don't know how to respond to poetry.
I have a sister who love me deeply and thinks I am a cross between Walt Whittman
st john of the cross. I will send her ten or twenty poems and in about three months I'll get a e-mail that say something like very nice John. write what to believe and be content with that.

I think as the volume of postings go up, the amount of people that read each piece might go down. There's only so much reading each person can do! Keep up the writing, though. You never know when it might turn around!

Many people connect only because they want YOU to read THEIR work.