I think that it is interesting that people are very curious about what other people are writing. For example, you probably looked at this page because you saw that someone posted a comment. You might post your own comment in return.

I've known for a long time that "planting the first comment seed" is really important. That is what I am doing here. It is an attempt to stir up the bees so they buzz around.

Aside: MadMan told me story about this in private that perhaps he will share with others here.

The key idea is that in many cases, for many people, the comments about WebWord postings are more important than the news itself. Fortunately the comments are valuable while the noise is low. Let us hope it stays that way.

Posted by: John S. Rhodes on July 3, 2002 06:59 PM

 

I had a related discussion recently. The concern this person had was that ideas like seeds create, as it was put to me, "self fulfilling prophecy." This struck me as odd as much of technology is layer upon layer of just that. ...For instance Daypop. I have also seen blog links to other sites, "LINK, currently 36 visitors; LINK, currently 6 visitors...."

I put this in the category of preemptive hinting, and not really bad or good. Is there a compulsion to click the high traffic spot? Perhaps so. But there may be a segment which clicks low traffic links. A road less traveled user type may develop.

Posted by: (the other)JS on July 3, 2002 07:34 PM

 

I have noticed that most commenting goes on in items that are about Webword itself. Is part of the reason that we know we can engage in conversation with the author of the item?

Perhaps authors of items linked to could be 'invited' to reply to comments in webword.

Maybe the first person to add a message could 'invite' the author to join in the discussion?

Posted by: Mac on July 4, 2002 04:30 AM