The casting of the Pod

[miss_s_b]

I'm not generally a fan of podcasts, I'll say this right up front. They interrupt my mainlining of radio 4 and make me cranky. That said, I listened to the second edition of House of Comments tonight because my beloved matgb told me I got a mention.

Am now thoroughly depressed and considering giving up blogging completely. Way to waste the wonderful feeling of relaxation I gained from three days away from the computer. I mean, if even people who are broadly sympathetic and who have actually met me can fail to understand what I am trying to say so utterly, then what's the point in me even trying to continue?

The only one of the four who seemed to have even the slightest grasp of my point was Mortimer. Which, you know, is gratifying, except that I think she kind of got it before I posted anyway.

What's the bloody point?

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This blog is proudly sponsored by (who'll be getting a refund if I do give up)

Comments

[From: linlithgow-libdems.blogspot.com]

The bloody point is that us essayists aren't the only way to go. And I keep citing the examples of non-essayists such as yourself to illustrate the point that there are more than one way to get your point across.

Darn don't make it harder for me to encourage others that they don't need to be me to blog.

Stephen x

[From: faeriecween.livejournal.com]

The point, as i see it, is that people like me who sometimes don't get the wider ramifications, subtle undertones and future effects of certain political articles, speeches and proposals coem to you and find it explained. I don't always agree with your views (mostly yes, always no) but I do always find I have a better grasp on something after coming and reading about it here.
You've actually made politics seem like a real thing that matters to and affects me. Something that i now care about much more, because of you.
So thank you for that.

[From: miss_s_b]

Thank you sweetie. That means a lot.

[From: faeriecween.livejournal.com]

Not a problem - I wouldn't say it if it wasn't true! :o)

[From: andrewducker]

What was the thing they got wrong?

I frequently explain things in very clear English and then have people completely misunderstand me - despite me being able to point out the bit that clearly explains it. People don't actually read, mostly.

[From: miss_s_b]

"People don't actually read, mostly."

This is what Mat said.

I think it bothered me so much because normally I just spew out whatever comes into my fevered brain, but I actually WORKED on that post.

[From: andrewducker]

Which post was it?

[From: miss_s_b]

http://miss-s-b.dreamwidth.org/981399.html

[From: telegramsam]

I don't think it's so much that they don't read as they are incapable of comprehending what they are reading. I read somewhere that most people read on about a 5th to 8th grade level. To be considered fully "literate" you're supposed to be able to read on a 10th grade level, I believe. Most newspapers are written at about a 4th to 5th grade level.

Or at least I read that somewhere at some point and remembered. I kinda believe it though, most people just don't read very well and I've seen examples of people completely missing the point of what looks to be plain written English. I blame the public schools, at least here in the USA, they're pretty dismal.

[From: matgb]

Problem being that while that's definitely true of average people, the three people in the podcast that didn't get it were definitely not average; that's sorta why they're on the podcast.

OTOH, I do need to finally get around to writing my "how to write for the web" guide, rereading SB's post, the key points were at the ends of sections, which are on paper the most read areas, but on screen amongst the least read, apparently.

[From: pmoodie]

Hey now. If we all abandoned forms of communication because we were sometimes misunderstood, then none of us would ever say anything!

Keep doing what you're doing.

[From: (Anonymous)]

For what it's worth yours is one of the blogs I enjoy reading the most.

You are often able to make a very effective point in very few words, and you usually bring a smile to my face while doing it.

Maybe it's down to which references you get, or how your brain is wired.

Don't take it all to heart, it's only fools that make the rules.

Or something ;-)

[From: (Anonymous)]

That was a message from your sponsor, who won't be asking for a refund whatever happens!

[From: miss_s_b]

* snuggle *

Thank you.

[From: fabulousblueporcupine.wordpress.com]

Well, you know what, I just read it again, and I think it was pretty clear (only I forgot the bit about more men *reading* blogs than women which is important). So I suggest we just furiously impugn Stu for not reading properly. He won't mind, he has babies (http://sharpesopinion.co.uk/2009/10/something-new/) and cake (http://twitter.com/sshrpe/status/5207939556).

I'm always late commenting!

[From: crustofthegrouch.blogspot.com]

I think you have rightly earned your place in the blogosphere and you shouldn't give it up. It's important not just to write about politics for the people that understand it, but for the people that don't to. As others above have said you make a strong point in an entertaining way, in doing so you make politics accessible, that's really important when apathy clouds over it.

Perhaps you're a kind of bullshit filter if you will, in fact there's a quote for you! "filtering the bullshit so you don't have to!" :P

[From: staceyuk]

I love you. You make me feel comfortable in not conforming!

Thank you.

Dazmando

[From: bracknellblog.blogspot.com]

I understand 80)

I even bid my bit http://bracknellblog.blogspot.com/2009/10/calling-all-ladies.html