Specifically, in regards to Flickr and this post. A criticism that the Wired staff threw out was that they didn’t like trite comments.  Now, I understand what they mean: if you can’t comment with meaning, then all you’re doing is giving me a pat on the back.

The thing is, lots of people like that.  Sometimes I do, although I usually prefer conversations with more substance.

But the other thing I’ve noticed: the amount of trite comments varies, depending on how I behave and how good the photos are.  If I post a photo that people can connect to, those people will put in more meaningful comments.  When I communicate with people, they respond to me.  If it’s merely “nice,” they’ll leave a “nice” comment.  If I leave small, meaningless comments, they’ll do the same.

So in short, if you don’t like trite comments, don’t act trite and don’t post trite photos.

I have a subscription to Wired.  I didn’t pay for it, it came with something that I purchased.  Don’t even remember what it was anymore – but it’s almost up.  I received a renewal offer in the mail the other day and thought about it – was it interesting enough to spend the ten or twelve dollars for a year’s subscription on?  Comparing that to the effort to read it, the quality of articles, the disposal…

So the renewal letter went in to the recycle bin. Click to continue »