Thing 4: Don't Lurk! Comment, Silly Troll!

Thing 4: Why Commenting is Important (Or...Don't Lurk! Comment, Silly Troll!)

Commenting is important because it helps give feedback to thoughts and interests, promotes discussion, and furthers the interplay between ideas.  It helps "build community" in the same way that normal conversation does---it breeds a sense of familiarity and common interest in a given topic or issue.  While I don't habitually blog, I do participate in message boards that pertain to things from Tennessee Vols football to the religious influences on American politics.  Those forums help create a community through a shared interest and a discussion of that interest.

I liked the point by Vicki Davis on her Cool Cat Teacher Blog that comments give a blog post a greater sense of purpose.  Comments "cast a vote on the importance of a topic," and I definitely agree with that sentiment.  I often post very political statuses on my facebook, and the ones which affect people the most are the ones which people "like" or comment (and sometimes furiously debate) on are the ones that I feel have a greater sense of importance. 

I also liked Darren Draper's (Drape's Takes) post about the importance of responding to the comments on your blog.  Some people may genuinely want a response, or feel very nervous about replying on a blog, such that a comment is not only helpful, but also courteous.  Not replying to comments could even give off an air of elitism.  So, I liked Darren's emphasis on being sure to respond to comments.

Also, it's important not to just "lurk," but to make sure you comment! 

The 5 blogs of my classmates on which I commented are as follows:
Mr. Sturdivant's 23 Things--Thing #2:  I commented because I am also a procrastinator and, while I am thoroughly enjoying and learning much from this blog exercise, it seemed to get put "on the back burner" in favor of other assignments.

Mr Jones' 23 Things--Thing #9:  I know Joshua Jones from a previous class, and I always appreciate his dry wit and sense of humor.  His pictures he made in Thing 9 I found funny for their sarcasm.  I always poked fun at him for his hipster avatar.

KHS Chemistry 23 Things--Thing #8:  I found the name plate and puzzle picture which Courtney had made to be very rustic, nice, and interesting, and I remarked on her post saying as much.

Miss Z's Top 23--Thing #5:  I commented to agree with Christin that, while technology can help supplement the classroom experience, it can never replace the value of a classroom and human involvement. 

The Amazing and Wonderful 23 Things According to Mrs. Pigg--Thing #10:  I remarked to Kyrie Pigg that I shared the same enjoyment in being able to consolidate all the information I want to know in a convenient way.  I also mentioned the pleasant aesthetics of her blog's design and layout.

The Two Other Blogs:

I commented on blogs from Patheos, a theological & philosophical blog network, and the NYTimes blog of Paul Krugman, the Conscience of a Liberal.

I commented on the Patheos blog post of prominent biblical scholar Dr. Marcus Borg entitled "Amos and American Christianity," which discussed the prophet's call to social justice and rebuked the rich who took advantage of the poor and ignored their plight.  I found this blog striking because it discussed the nature of American politics as it intertwines with religious belief and how we as American Christians, though being rich, often seem deaf to the cries of the poor and many vote for a party that continually tries to cut government assistance to those in need.  I mentioned the disconnect I feel between many our my fellow Christians' beliefs about helping poor and their political policies which seem to be so anti-poor people.  Articles, like the one by Dr. Borg, remind me that the Holy Scriptures speak clearly about God's love for the poor and downtrodden, and our need to help. 

The blog post on the Conscience of a Liberal, by Nobel Economist Paul Krugman, was entitled "The Real Poverty Trap," where Dr. Krugman addresses the Paul Ryan Budget and his plans for cutting SNAP (Food Stamps) and Medicaid, both of which many poor people depend upon to survive.  Dr. Krugman discusses how the real poverty trap is not government assistance, itself, but that welfare actually does help people escape from poverty and better themselves.  I found this quote rather compelling, "In fact, the evidence suggests that welfare-state programs enhance social mobility, thanks to little things like children of the poor having adequate nutrition and medical care." In my comment, I addressed a recent situation where I debated with a friend of mine over the merits of raising the minimum wage and making sure we have well-funded welfare programs.  My friend believed in not only doing nothing about the minimum wage, but also cutting the government assistance of those in need, which left me disturbed as to how one could so senselessly undercut the support of those already struggling to get by.  Needless to say, I found Dr. Krugman's article very informative, edifying, and encouraging that my belief in helping the poor is actually more beneficial to bringing them out of poverty, rather than consigning them to an austere existence barely above subsistence. 

In conclusion, I enjoyed this section on commenting, and found it quite a beneficial exercise.