Recently I was visited by a very good friend who had just returned from a long walk in the woods, and I asked her what she had observed. 'Nothing in particular,' she replied. I might have been incredulous had I not been accustomed to such responses, for long ago I became convinced that the seeing see little.
How was it possible, I asked myself, to walk for an hour through the woods and see nothing worthy of note? I who cannot see find hundreds of things to interest me through mere touch. I feel the delicate symmetry of a leaf. I pass my hands lovingly about the smooth skin of a silver birch, or the rough, shaggy bark of a pine. In spring I touch the branches of trees hopefully in search of a bud, the first sign of awakening Nature after her winter's sleep. I feel the delightful, velvety texture of a flower, and discover its remarkable convolutions; and something of the miracle of Nature is revealed to me.
-Helen Keller, Three Days to See (1933)
NB: Helen Keller was deaf-blind.
Over the last 2 days, there have been 20 visits to this blog and only 1 comment. Even with the direct question at the end of my last post, I just can't seem to stimulate any response. If I don't know you or don't know you read my blog, I promise not to be creeped out if you suddenly make your presence known through a comment - and you can even comment anonymously if you want. Na ja, thanks for reading anyhow - but a special thanks to Hannah and Rachel for your regular comments :)
4 comments:
Haha--yeah, I have people who tell me they read my blog regularly and despite the number of times I've tried to get them to respond (I like feedback...) few ever do. Which is a shame because I write most of my entries with my readership (of 3 or so...) in mind.
I did wind up going to the OASN concert...it was the best a cappella concert I've been to here. Absolutely amazing.
Hi
Thought I'd better respond to your question so I don't look like a strange intruder. I visited because I can't help but notice you and I are about the only 2 to consistently comment on Hannah's blog. It made me curious to see your blog, as you obviously like to write and are also on a similar Killam journey this year.
I enjoy her blog and she had commented on the possibility that not many view it.... which seemed to impact on the number of new posts she made. Your comment answered my question - that many more read blogs than comment. I have been managing a Discussion Board and there is a similar pattern. Hmmmm.........is it fear of public commentary?
Thanks for your post Leslie!
You'd be surprised how many people discover strangers' blogs the same way you found mine.
I - like so many young activists these days - also deal deal a lot with different forms of e-communication with limited success. I'm not sure what exactly makes discussion boards and the like so difficult, but in my experience, the lack of a deadline (or of its seriousness) can be a significant factor.
As far as blogs go, I think it's mostly just a lack of empathy - a realisation of how much it means to the author to get any feedback - that is responsible for such limited commenting. In support of this view, you'll notice that many - if not most - people who comment have blogs of their own.
PS: I don't believe there's such thing as a "strange intruder" on a public blog ;)
...please where can I buy a unicorn?
Post a Comment