oneword.com

I think my main issue isn’t that people don’t pay attention to the posts of others on the primary page, but that they ignore each other on the group pages, including in groups, which were created so that people could give one another critique. As of yet, I haven’t seen a single person comment on another’s post. It’s a depressingly self-involved phenomenon. If someone is going to post their work in those groups with the expectation that someone else will acknowledge it, the least they could do is comment on one other post in return.

I definitely see what you mean. There’s nothing worse than going through the trouble to write something, whether it happens to be a short poem or a ten-page English paper, and getting absolutely no feedback for it in return. I’m willing to bet that the greater majority of people who join this Web site do not just do so initially to showcase their fabulous writing ability. I think most of us have joined this site to improve our skills, to get some helpful feedback that doesn’t just serve to stroke our egos, but to push us into becoming better writers. And in that case, all of us are capable of doing our part to make this community a better place. By pointing out both the strengths and weaknesses of our fellow’s work, we can transform this place from a community of isolated writers to a community of individuals who are committed to helping each other to improve their skill.

And I’m in no way exempt from your criticism of this community, either. I’ve had ample opportunity to respond to recent entries–in which cases I did not. That’s something I will have to work on. But thanks for pointing that out.

I don’t think the lack of member-response and constructive criticism is a problem, here. If groups want to be created dedicated to criticism and constructive writing, then members favoring that idea should go for it. Otherwise, it seems like oneword is simply a really interesting outlet and exercise for writers; we get stimulation, exposure to other styles, and inspiration. If another member’s writing is particularly eyebrow-raising, a reply button (and the parallel of the ’like’ button, I believe?) is there to allow a show of appreciation. When I signed up, I didn’t see a sign saying: ”Welcome to OneWord, the next greatest social networking site,” which is what I believe will happen if people insist on instigating increased member involvement.
I’m sure there are several other people, like myself, who don’t really care for feedback until I ask for it. Otherwise, you (the critiquing member) come across as pretentious and quite full of yourself, especially when members posting are simply using this as a tool for themselves, not as a competition.
Please keep that in mind before encouraging the creation of another haven for communists.
Ha.

@Scream: I find it funny that you seem to have missed my point entirely and ironic that /you’re/ calling me pretentious. I was critiquing the lack of involvement in oneword groups that are specifically designed as places for feedback. There are numerous groups on this site that in their descriptions say they are for constructive criticism, yet I’ve seen none of it. Scream, do me a favor and actually read what I post before making false accusations, mmk? The hostility and condescending tone are far from appreciated. Also, ”another haven for communists?” Seriously? Forgive me making an attempt to expand the uses of the site to encompass the facilities it’s already provided. I do not by any means, require or demand that other people post replies, I merely find it irksome that they refuse to do so after joining groups designed for it. However, in cases like this, I’m beginning to lament to absence of my figurative silence.

@Avonlea: Hopefully we can work on our writing and communication skills together. ;] I’d eventually like to figure out some exercises that we can do in this group.

I like it, will post one soon. :)