Comments? Responses?

In my ETEC class, we've been discussing about the success or failure of blogs as collaborative forums. And a lot (okay all) of the discussion has been naturally falling upon the nature of the commentarium of blogs. What insures the success of the commentarium? Of course, a lot depends upon the quality/nature of the blog material itself; whether it is interesting, whether it actually sparks reaction...

When I mentioned Marsilani in class, and said that (at the time) I had only received ONE COMMENT, there was a kind of collective "awww" in the class, as though I were to be pitied. I countered somewhat, saying that, for me, the blog was a tool to exercise my writing and creativity, AS IF someone cared to read my thoughts... But the class implied that, without commentaries, without the hard proof, perhaps you ARE just "licking your ass" so to speak (sorry).

Recently, through this blog, I got in touch with a friend from a long time ago (from high school days)... [I had gotten in touch with another friend when the blog was first starting- I'm not downplaying that one, by any means...] In this, the blog has more than redeemed itself. My friend Clifton has additionally written the SECOND COMMENTARY on the blog, and truly exemplified the ideal purpose of the commentarium for me...

This goes back to the issue of the success/failure of the commentarium. Basically, as I imply in my comments on the class blog, the commentarium is like a democratic forum. The success/failure of a democracy depends largely upon the nature of the individuals who participate in it. There can be passive participation (body count), but there also can be active participation, the repeated voicing of individual reactions/thoughts... In the latter, there is a certain richness. A dialogue.

Particularly with a lot of the content of this blog, which is composed of a great many attempts at short story writing, comments are the only meager source of sustenance for me, the blogger... and I never realized how hungry I was, until I received this, my second commentary... PLEASE, READ IT!!! It's not just because I'm proud of it, but because it is a piece worthy of comment itself, a picture of life.

It is in reaction to "Short Story: Willow Weep for Me: Side A, Transplant/Transparent."

...and oh yeah, if you haven't figured it out yet, I am soliciting comments. Please. Anything to keep me going.