On Gathering: Snarkery and the Velvety Glove

Since joining the Gather Community Feb-06 I have occasionally received and of late noticed for others' creative efforts what, in person, might be considered conversation stoppers.

You know the ones--dismissive comments such as: you're not the only one, or: yes, we've ALL had that happen--comments which seem to emanate from the depths of the get-over-it/how-unimpressive category of attitudes.

It's as if your critics insist you realize that two minutes of their lives had been wantonly squandered by their clicking and reading an article, poem, or other (substandard) content, and that the content's author was at fault for the whole shebang.

And furthermore, they're simply hapless clickers and trusting readers expecting no less than stellar entertainment--but foiled by dastardly writers who dare waste a reader's precious time...why, the noive!

An All-Too-Human Trait?

We tend to relate what we newly hear or read to past experiences or to something we know about, at least in part, in order to undertand what we're reading and perhaps to empathize with it, if so moved. And who doesn't appreciate discovering content with concepts which are totally new and unknown to them?

Now to me, the most interesting writing is some combination of both--the common-ground approach helps me make sense by offering something I can relate to, while new thoughts may encourage a sprint to the finish line with a sprinkling of spice to entice.

Then live-and-learn may become read-and-learn in the happiest of cases.

But That's Not What This Is

It would never occur to me, even if I felt my time had been carelessly trumpled or that clicked-on material was of no interest post-click, to spend more time by commenting with a sassy "we've ALL been there"--and with only the "done that" left off in mock politeness thereby further extending my own imagined or feigned martyrdom.

Now I know that many southerners of the US persuasion are often considered mannerly in the old-fashioned sense of the word  but I "do declare" there is much difference to be found between a veneer of politeness vs. respectful courtesy--one is sneer, the other sincere.

You know it, I know it, and anyone with an active cerebral cortex knows it.

A Shout-Out to My Wonderful Gather Connections

Never have I taken y'all's kind, encouraging comments lightly!

Yet, as another cliche about southerners goes, there may lurk a stem of steel supporting yon magnolia blossom. Or you might say that an ironic fist resides within the velvety glove.

However, secretive backbones are never to wielded without serious provocation and hopefully are held in check whenever possible in order to promote the greater good, uplift the general welfare, and cheerlead for the sake of harmony all around.

And My Point Would Be?

My intention here is to follow the come-hither Gather directive by being creative of a sort while using my innermost thoughts and feelings about the Gather Experience without unduly attracting--or ruffling the feathers of--the snark among us, however entertaining that could turn out to be.

If toes are squashed in process, an ouch! may readily suffice in reply. Then if you will accept my pre-apology, I'll send along to you my enthusiastic recommendation for my favorite and delightful Footbath Salts (I'd bring some by, but I don't where you live) so that you may have a lovely, relaxing soak for your barking dogs, and simultaneously, a supportive mood lift which will surely tame your raging inner critic.

For after all, if you've stalwartedly managed to plow thus far into this dam-burst of irony, this mitten of pseudo-snarkery, you deserve a treat, and I'm quite thrilled with you.

But in the interest of disclosure, I must inform you that you've just whiled away a minute or so of your life which will never return, yet for that I thank you heartily, courteously, and agreeably for your valiant exertions.

Now what might you make of such flummery as this...so seemingly spun as if from the emperor's new clothes?