Attention

Peoria, Arizona
February 13, 2018 7:54pm CST
I remember when I was in JROTC and I got to be the commander and tell everyone how to march, like About face, left flank, and the ATTENHUT! I was one of the best, because no one realized how loud I was and I wasn't a jerk making them turn every which way and snapped their knee caps. But what was fun was catching people off guard to see if they were paying attention and it seems that people were not. This is why surveys toss in a little "pick strongly disagree if you are paying attention" or my favorite, "Have you ever had an accident that resulted in your death?" This morning I decided to do an experiment. In one of my post, I asked a question in the middle of a paragraph and see if anyone would actually read that attentively. I wasn't expecting people to read so closely, I can't say I do that myself but I try to get all the details. So I was nice and put the question in the second paragraph. The experiment was, how far do people read a post without losing interest. It seems like on here, it is only at the title or picture that is posted. We spend all day writing these posts, and people comment such absurd things. A person mentions How they received 2 packages, but are still waiting of the 3rd and someone replies with, "glad you got ALL your packages." I wrote a post about how weird a weekend was and someone asks, "why was it weird?" Perhaps that is just a perception issue, but still. And it is just a tad irritating. Why even comment on a post if you are not going to read it. Skimming is fine, but if you want to comment on something, why don't you fact check? Instead of saying "That is a good meal" and the post is really about how the person did not like their meal, why don't you read and console someone for not having a good meal. We are getting pennies for reading and talking nonsense. I do not expect people to read my crap about anime and music. I don't expect people to read every single line, that is dumb. The brain does not register every single word, every single letter. It doesn't. But someone just took 5 minutes out of their day to write a post that would hopefully interest you and at least read two freaking paragraphs instead of reading the hook or looking at a picture. If you do not have anything to say, don't say anything at all. Do not make the writer feel like a jackface for writing about an album they liked in 1982! And commented on about a band that didn't come out until 1997 totally blowing off what that person just said. Like I said, I don't expect people to read every word, that is impossible. But at least give a little more attention and a little more thought to comments. Because I know some people can be really hurt but the meaningless comments. I adore comments that warm my heart and I keep commenting on those people's posts because we have that connection. I want to find more of that connection. Not just some people who don't have time to read and only want to make a quick penny.
4 people like this
4 responses
@Tampa_girl7 (48912)
• United States
14 Feb 18
I was also in ROTC in high school.
@Tampa_girl7 (48912)
• United States
16 Feb 18
• Peoria, Arizona
15 Feb 18
That is awesome! I was only in it for 1 year, but it got me out of having to do PE haha!
1 person likes this
@Plethos (13560)
• United States
14 Feb 18
hey! way to break knees and twist ankles!
• Peoria, Arizona
14 Feb 18
I do that enough to myself.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
14 Feb 18
Felicia, I'm so glad you enjoyed your vacation! Just kidding! Yes, I read the whole post. I actually haven't seen that problem in my posts as everyone replies on the subject discussed. Of course, I make it a little easier by asking a question or a series of questions in practically all my discussions. I'm not familiar with JROTC, what is that?
• Peoria, Arizona
14 Feb 18
Ohh you, haha I just know that since I am in the younger crowd, some people just can't relate to what I have to say. I understand that. I ask questions, I try to give my posts voice so it is easier to read and i also give subtexts to explain everything. JRTOC is Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps. I was in it my freshman year of high school.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
14 Feb 18
I must have been at work, the last one I read was when you are making a new Tumblr account. I do read your posts all the way through.
• Peoria, Arizona
14 Feb 18
I know, you are one of the amazing people that actually comment and care about people's post. I don't expect people to read all my post, I can't read everyone's posts. But what I can read, I try to be as invested as I can be.