Freedom of Expression
Every blog publisher wants that the readers give some response to his/her writings. But my experience for the last two and a half years of blogging is most discouraging. In India blogging began around that time and that means I am publishing my number of blogs ever since. No matter what the reaction they give but some reaction is required because blog writing is only the first half of the process. In a way blogging is a type of conversation and as you can understand a conversation is not complete unless it is responded by the other side. When I put my posting I want to write some thoughts on some subject and expect a reply from the reader so that the thought process can continue. This is same as in conversation. If you are talking and the other side is silent, it amount to soliloquizing. No thought process works successfully unless there is a reaction. However to blogs, people who read do not respond the way the blog publisher expects. When I enquired to some of the readers, why they do not write their comments on the blog, I got quite a few interesting but depressing replies. Most told me that they read but do not know how to give comments. Some said, they are lazy of writing any comments even though they had some opinion about the matter I had put up in the blog. Some told me that they are shy of putting a comment. Some are afraid of doing any thing like that!
I find that majority of readers are passive readers, that means they read, think of the topic, have an opinion but yet do not want to put it on the paper. I told them this attitude does not help the process of thinking. In any intelligent society thinking and exchange of views, however, contradictory them may be, should be encouraged by members of that society and if open discussion is not taking place there will be no further progress on different topics concerning the society. They agreed or disagreed but continued to be passive. Nevertheless, the picture is not all that dismal; I got some readers who are very good in sending comments. The number of them is though not very encouraging I feel the idea of commenting on the blogs you read is gradually picking up. For Indians, all concepts of internet are as yet new, and we Indians have still to be well acquainted with them. Blogging is just one of them. The largest comment I got on my one posting was four pages A4 size, actually the comment was larger than my posting! I have also received other comments of one page and two pages on other postings of interest. I got comments on my some postings after four and six months, that means readers do browse through even older postings and that means one should not remove old postings. Do not expect that as soon as you put your posting readers will come and read. They take their time to reach you, so be patient! I give here a few of the short comments I got on my postings.
"Good article"
"Very well written"
"I have read similar writing somewhere else"
"When I come across such a blog I feel there still are some people worrying about our
problems. It makes me feel better."
"Some body should do something what you are trying to do!"
"Where you get all these things to write such articles?"
"Arhe, tu khud ko bahot shana samajata hai kya?"
"You are ek number bundalbaz…"
"I am a research student and I find your blog very informative, I have bookmarked it for future references."
"This blog….:)(:"
"Freedom of expression... indeed!"
"Where you get all this information, quite interesting to read."
"Hey you, why you worry for our country…?" (this is from Pakistan)
"We are watching you…!" (this is from Saudi)
"I liked the frankness with which you write."
"I saw this really great post today…."
"Great; this is a on the button right post. I saw this today and supposed that I link to it…"
"Keep it up; some body should have done it, I always felt and here I find this blog doing exactly that! I have bookmarked it."
”Stop writing on Jainism otherwise, I will not open your blog!"
However, I found that the fellow is regular on my blog. He did not execute his threat! I am not in favour or against any ideology, what I do is just put it without any reservation for better understanding; in short, freedom of expression!
Some people use comment box for their advertisements, look some examples,
"This is a good blog but better still is this web site, www.???.com, for more on Viagra!"
"Your penis not rising? Do not worry contact site….."
"Visit Europe with us, discounted rates available…."
"Good blog post, for better quality leather bags…."
"I am very lonely, please come to me."
So friends, this is the present situation of comments. I hope things will improve. What I have observed so far is that foreign readers are more vocal and frank in commenting and Indians have yet to learn the art of commenting.
Dear friends, I am changing my posting schedule from this month. Hereafter only one posting will appear on each month. I am preparing for my doctorate in philosophy and for that I need time, so please adjust until I resume the previous schedule, post will come on 30th of each month. So next post will come on 30th August. Thanks.
You may contact me on my Email ID given below,
I invite you to visit my other blog if you are interested in stories.
You may visit Ideas and tips on any subject for intelligent discussions.
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