I thought this statement was especially profound, and would be a good idea if I could manage it: “If you can’t think of anything to say that isn’t critical, ask a question that’s actually a question and not just a (not really) vieled criticism.” I’ve noticed my parents learning to do this in their 70s, using the phrase “tell me more” and then really listening with all their might, and it’s crazy the things that people tell them, things that often have never been shared with anyone ever before. I need to stop thinking I have all the answers, because if I had all the answers, would I feel the compulsion to read self-improvement blogs on a daily basis?? Humility, I need to make your acquaintance even more, and more consistently.

(Similarly, this is Trent’s space and he has the right to make the rules for it. But for the most part, he’s chosen not to.)

And if one of the mods is a little bit grumpy because they’re having a bad day (as we all do), I’m inclined to forgive that, because it’s so clear that they all genuinely want to serve the readers, and they work so hard at that. In contrast, Trent’s motivation for writing this blog is all about him and *his* dream of being a writer. So that’s another big difference.

That’s what bugs me the most about this blog. I, too, find a lot of value in the comments and I really wish Trent would acknowledge his factual mistakes and correct them, after so many people point them out! It feels as if Trent doesn’t even read the comments (he doesn’t need to participate in the comments section per se; we know how well that turned out in the past) but I can’t be 100% sure about that. Frustrating!

First, the posts deal with current events and other things outside the bloggers’ own lives, so the community (bloggers and commenters alike) can direct their snark toward those things, rather than toward each other.

Second, the posts are incredibly well researched and well thought out, and the bloggers make an effort to learn from the different viewpoints of the commenters. Which means there’s so much more to be learned from the posts than just one person’s thoughts about his own life.

I like both blogs for different reasons. I agree, though, with the people who say that most of the value here is in the comments.

Also, Trents inability to respond to comments will probably be the reason I stop reading his blog someday. It makes the articles he writes that have a holier-then-thou tone even more obnoxious.

Blogging is not a stage where your followers can simply shower you with accolades. Well, I suppose it can be, but that doesn’t make for very interesting reading. The learning comes from reading about different perspectives and experiences, not from absorbing everything Trent has to say. In fact, I would say that Trent himself could learn a lot from the comments on this blog if he were open to the thoughtful and intelligent messages posted by people from all different viewpoints. I’ll be perfectly frank and say that I think Trent is . . . well, very narrow in his perspective on life. I don’t agree with much of what he says but have learned so much from the community that gathers here.

The diversity of comments are the life of this blog. Would I come here every day to read only Trent’s writing? Nope, not a chance.

I totally agree with your comment #5, though. The ignoring of comments is absolutely infuriating. It’s like the conversation, which is only beginning when the article is posted, is dead on Trent’s end when he hits *publish*.

And I can’t help but wonder whether this:

“You’ll overlook things. You’ll convince others to not reveal things to you. You’ll walk away from the situation far poorer than you might have otherwise.”

is what happens when you totally ignore reader comments.

(And yes, before anyone points it out, I realize that this comment is pretty insolent itself. But is it really insolent to point out insolence?)

Thanks!