Emotion Check

I'm smiling! You are very astute!

Thank you Alison.
Well put and appreciated Maria.

good article

nice.

Nyota,

You've got it!
I'm one of those who are too sensitive and take things personaly. I really have to watch what I read and what I comment on. Sometimes I have to sleep on it.
Barbara S.

It depends on what kind of mood I'm in, and if I feel that the person is spewing hateful rhetoric. I will always speak up about that crud. It is especially important for me, as a white woman, to call people on their racism.

I also am compelled to call people on homophobia, not just for myself because they can't hurt me I'm an old warhorse, but for the young people just coming up.

You mean "Thanks for sharing" doesn't cut it...LOL

Actually, I have used that several times if I am trying to get through lots of stuff, but it doesn't necessarily mean I haven't read every word!

Naw, Stephanie, most folk who use "T F S" aren't going to come back expecting to have stirred up or solidified something.

I don't try to read every article (who can?), but the title is just the first criteria to be met for what interests me...If I find myself struggling to make a comment but feel compelled to say SOMETHING then I'll make some noncommittal response to let the writer know I was there...if something really strikes a chord, I'll comment--and occasionally let myself go on at length...and after I've moved on to another article, I'll realize that I didn't leave a rating and go back to it to do that...just depends on how much time I've got and what is on my mind that day.

I understand, Linda B. My last comment wasn't supposed to come off as a bad thing. I meant that if you did come back after making a "T F S", you wouldn't have expected your comment to make much of a ripple other than giving--or not--points.

P.S. It is hard to come up with great comments sometimes. I hate when I do it, but I'm guilty of using 'nice', 'cute', 'beautiful', and other one word comments. But I do mean what I write no matter how terse.

It didn't come off as a bad thing at all. Sometimes it's harder to get people to engage with your ideas when print is the only source of input. You have no idea if they're sitting there clutching their heads with a sinus headache or have a cat on their lap purring contentedly and digging claws into them.....

See? I engaged...because the topic and the writing was great! Plus I had time...

Here's my "comment". :o)

So true Nyota, I think most people are as you say, crazy and like to get in your face at any given moment. Which is ok if you want and like to live on the edge like that.

Some articles, I will read, if they really bother me too much, I won't respond because it makes my blood boil and I hate that feeling. So it's better for me and my health to just step aside... there's nothing to see here....

But I can usually jump right in and comment. There are things that I don't and I will just post to the votes, unless of course the votes are turned off, then I just move along.

I have feelings, I'm sensitive but I also feel I am strong and can handle most of what it thrown at me, meaning I don't get all in someone's face just cause they said something that was rude or gross. Some people just get too insulted too quick I feel.

Good post Nyota, I see you are getting responses to this. And it's cool you are good with your way of posting, you should post more but that's my thoughts.

Thanks and have a great day

Thanks for your comments. It feels good to know that some folk actually 'get me'.
I believe that our perceptions all depends on expectation, but on Gather (I almost typed 'Father'! ) you don't always get what you want. Now, myself, I want constructive criticism and suggestions; even if I am in a bad/sad mood because I am making the effort to be a successful writer.
I try to ignore hurtful and ignorant comments; if I don't, I at least try to defend or amend my point after a bit of reflection. If I do decide to disagree, I try to do it in a mature way as opposed to trying to get even or 'show someone up'. In the past, I have had a skirmish or two, but what good does it do to argue with someone who refuses to even consider another's point of view?
We are all different and have our own unique way of experiencing the world. If we find kindred spirits on the 'net, it's wonderful and affirming. But just think: If you get to know a member well enough--and they are being honest with you about everything--I guarantee there will be disagreements; even if it's over a small thing. Hopefully, your relationship will survive; that you can agree to disagree instead of trying to force your opinion and getting angry because the other person won't give in. A mature person will weigh and consider the perceptions of another and hold them as valid for that person. As Linda B stated: it's hard to get your point across when print is the only source of input. I feel this also holds true for images and video. Nothing beats communicating in person. However, as a writer and artist on Gather, I always aim to get as much of my 'world' out there as possible.
And, if things really get personal, we can use Gather e-mail to make our point without having it witnessed by others.
I view Gather as a learning tool as well as a way to have fun.
Now I'm off to start another thread on something I hardly ever do . . . play games.

Nyota, I would not speak at all if I had nothing to say. (I hope that truth is self evident, but it probably isn't.) The result is I say a lot while in a manic state. Fixing things is a lot like a bicycle ride, up hill is real work, and downhill you get to coast. The trick is to enjoy the work, the coasting is all pleasure.

Makes sense, Karl. I have noticed that you are truthful and discerning. And I can be extremely hyped, also.
As I write this, I am thinking about the fact that we all have different truths. That quality applies to this article, also.

"No one ever found wisdom without also being a fool. Writers, alas, have to be fools in public, while the rest of the human race can cover its tracks."

Erica Jong

"There's always another way to see just about anything"

Randy Joyce Locke

If we take a breath and try to see 'the other way,' we may not agree, but at least we'll understand.

and maybe even appreciate the other's point of view.

Well said, Nyota. I'm pretty averse to dealing with conflict -- way more than is wise, I'm afraid -- so I tend to make fairly noncommital remarks and get the heck out of the way before I get singed. I'll occasionally express an opposing point of view, but I have to do that gently, or I'm really not happy with myself.

I agree, well said! Hope those who need this read it.

I agree with Barbara. I rarely respond RIGHT away unless it is a FEEL GOOD topic. I like to think 24 hrs. before I respond to controversial posts. I try to remove the emotion and share knowledge and perspective. I think U captured my habits for sure! But U didn't mention those folks who comment only for U to follow them back to comment on theirs-HA! HA!-I know NO ONE REALLY DOES THAT DO THEY????