I seem to have developed quite a readership all of the sudden. So I want to take a minute to show gratitude to everyone who reads my words.
I am immensely grateful to anyone and everyone who takes the time to read my words. I know how difficult it is, in this internet age, to keep one’s attention fixed on one idea, or even one post. And I also know how difficult it is to read the words of a (let’s face it) fairly novice writer. Especially when that writer has a penchant for coming up with big, fat wacky theories that may or may not explain the world of politics but are, for the most part, unheard of.
So, thank you, every last one of you. For giving me your attention, even if just fleetingly, or your click or your comment.
I see writers who appear reluctant to recognise the existence of readers, much less appreciate them. I don’t want to do that.
I believe that if we don’t catch a moment to remember the people who read our words, in whichever format that may be in, then we run the risk of falling, unconsciously, for the false belief that the readers “don’t exist”, or that they are an amorphous entity that’s just there to do what they are supposed to do.
I don’t mean that we literally believe that readers don’t exist. I mean that without a clear acknowledgement that they do, we run the risk of:
a) believing that we are being read and supported by readers because we are so awesome and, honestly, it couldn’t be otherwise. “I am read because I speak such truths, and in fact I can’t understand why not more people read me. In fact, those who don’t read me must be mad, what is wrong with them?” --- See where that descends into?
Or b) severing the dialogue that is supposed to take place between a writer and their readership. Writing is done through language, which in turn comes from dialogue. This means that all writing is dialogue of one shape or another. And a dialogue needs people who communicate with each other. If we don’t acknowledge the people reading us, we can't establish any dialogue, and our writing becomes ungrounded, separated from our human core, and falls pray to the idea that “we”, writers, preach while everyone else listens.
I would love to have a dialogue with you. If you ever have a reaction to my words, please know that I would value your comment. I know I have a lot to learn and I’m still getting used to the idea of talking with people about politics instead of exploding in bouts of rage at the injustice of it all and, presumably, aiming my voice and my writing at the heavens.
I am trying to come up with a different way to "do" politics, and it's going to take everything I have.
Once again, thank you for being there and allowing me the opportunity to share my world with you.
And because I'm nothing if not cheesy, I leave you with one of the best songs ever to exist. (I cannot believe nobody has uploaded an actual clip from the movie on youtube, so we are stuck with the original soundtrack and the album cover)
