5 Responses to “Blog to Nowhere?”

1. Rick Ray Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 7:31 pm

   Good question. The Onward Oregon blog gets roughly 600 to 800 visitors per day. However, these folks don’t leave many comments. Any thoughts?

2. Mike Banks Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 9:50 pm

   Hi J.D.

   I pop in now and then and read through the recent posts or if something interesting comes in via the email subscription. Maybe pose a question or two for the readers? Or how about a vote or a survey?

3. Russell Says:
   December 17th, 2007 at 10:13 pm

   Hi J.D.,

   Don’t be discouraged! The silent masses are out here waiting to be roused

4. J.D. Adams Says:
   December 18th, 2007 at 8:29 pm

   Power to the silent masses! I suspected you were out there, waiting, watching, and biding your time. Let your silence be that of thoughtful anticipation.

   On leaving comments, there are several forces at work. Most of the writing at Onward Oregon is savvy and technical with a journalistic flavor, and some visitors may feel they have to match that tone in their comments. Others may view OO as an information resource and are too busy to interact with it. Also, politics has become too personal for some to discuss, and has become a guarded topic, like religion, so the emphasis has to be on making people feel comfortable and welcome in offering their viewpoint. The specific goals of OO imply that we have to be closely aligned on a lot of issues, so the lack of comments might simply mean that we agree. High-traffic forums tend to be more casual, with a lot of extreme viewpoints and non-constructive dialogue.

5. Margaret Smith Says:
   December 20th, 2007 at 11:46 am

   Present and accounted for. It’s true, if I agree with a post, I’m much less inclined to comment on it. Will try to comment more often here if I have a thought that might further the conversation (but not just post to post).

   I tend to post vignettes here, especially thoughts about the huge gap between rich and poor right here in Oregon and whether or not we’re ready when real disaster (weather or other) might strike. It’s hard for people to comment on those, I suppose. Not much to agree or disagree with. But it would still be nice to get more comments– lets me know I’m not just talking to myself. Thanks for bringing up the subject!

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