I feel like there's a science to it.
From the visual layout of posts (walls of texts make the brain tired, so they are less successful) to the content and flow of thought (is it an easy
read?).
And I think there's a psychology to it, like people who often write one-liners in comments. Why do they do that? Or others who write six paragraphs
in a response(like me- and it's definitely because I always feel like I have so GD much to say, it's kinda embarrassing) or those who write between a
combination of one-liner statements and paragraphs (those are my favorite type who I aim to become like one day).
Maybe there's even an evolution that happens... like the walls of texters become the balanced compositors of a short series of one-liners who then
slowly evolve to become the one-liners.
Also, where your response lands on the page seems to matter. Is it at the top of the page? The middle, or the bottom? And if the thread is already
four pages long, do you feel like your response might not be read/won't matter as much as, say, if yours was one of the first responses on the first
page? And also, if you've created your own thread... at which point do you stop feeding it? And do you stop so as not to appear too needy and
desperate? Idk the answers to these questions, but if you do... let a gal know, please.
And on another note, the starring system at ATS actually does elicit a real emotional response in me. To the point where sometimes I even feel a
little unloved when my responses go ignored/unstarred. But when there's an explosion of stars, flags, and responses going on, I won't deny it... it
makes me feel good and giddy inside like I just said something really, really important! And all that reinforcement isn't for naught, no! The little
rush inside gives me all the more incentive to shoot for the stars again (quite literally in this case with ATS's starring system) and it's what
really keeps me around. So the starring and flagging system? I'd say it's pretty efficient in terms of producing emotional incentive to stick
around.
I know it's silly, but tbh, if all of you ignored me all of the time then I'd feel less and less inclined to participate and come back.
But before I gave up, I admit... I would try to figure out what I can do to resolve that situation and increase starring attention. That doesn't mean
that I'd gladly get naked to gain attention, but it does mean I will try to do better and "be so good that they can't ignore you," as steve martin
puts it. And if I still didn't get the desired attention despite all my efforts, I might resort to a little trolling at that point before I left for
good. Just being honest.
And there you have it. My deepest thoughts about participating on ATS.
edit on 2-4-2016 by geezlouise because: (no reason given)