BindleSnitch Fuckery?
“I am more concerned about penetrating the market and generating an audience than I am concerned about the dollars and cents.” —–Alan Milner
How can we penetrate the market and generate an audience if we’re not supportive of one another here in the most fundamental of ways?
For quite some time, I have been of the belief that, if you cannot write to and for yourself, you cannot, and perhaps should not, write at all.
There are no Pulitzer Prizes for abject silence….
My last classroom assignments were Introduction to Mass Communication and Media Law & Ethics at Stockton University in New Jersey….
The syllabus for the courses I distributed at the beginning of each semester included the following note on writing:
“Write what you care about with passion and gusto. Say what you mean and mean what you say. Have the courage of your convictions, but show respect and deference to the opposing points of view, criticisms, and critiques that will come as comments on your post…Remember, opposing comments reflect readership as well as comments that are in agreement with, or supportive of, your work.
Learn to disagree without becoming disagreeable. Civility is what writing is all about…
Above all else, have fun. If you enjoy what you’re doing it will show in your writing, regardless of your style of writing, or the nature, or weight of your topic or subject matter…Write for yourself. sometimes, write to yourself, simply for the joy of being able to do so. You will find that others will want to share in the joy and participate in the fun you’re having. When they do that, they become your audience, and you will have become a writer.”
Alan Milner
01/12/2022 @ 8:32 am
Would you like to explain the context of your headline because I really don’t understand what you’re getting at? What does BindleSnitch Fuckery even mean? Is this a complaint because if it is I don’t understand it. (I was also miffed by your use of the BindleSnitch logo. How did you do that? You’re not supposed to be able to use an image that belongs to another poster. I set it up that way on purpose in order to maintain some control over the branding.)
I also cannot tolerate the idea that I should show respect and deference to the vociferously expressed and idiotically asserted opinions of the assholes and knuckledraggers that are tearing this civilization apart. I am (almost) always civil and (almost) never tolerate incivility although I will occasionally allow sleeping dogs to fetter in their own messes…but I will absolutely never show respect and references to the opinions of others who do not show respect and deference to me…and I don’t see why I even should. Convince me.
Ron Powell
01/12/2022 @ 10:54 am
Alan, you reacted to my use of the BindleSnitch logo, but you didn’t respond to my question:
“How can we penetrate the market and generate an audience if we’re not supportive of one another here in the most fundamental of ways?”
Alan Milner
01/13/2022 @ 2:36 pm
What exactly does it mean to you to be supportive of one another here in the most fundamental of ways?
What kind of support would you want from me and how would I demonstrate that support?
I am frustrated to the breaking point with the accelerating collapse of this civilization. The handwriting is on the wall, my friend, and I find myself powerless to do anything about it. I am frustrated by the lack of a venue where I can express myself and be heard, having an effect…and then I realize that I never did have any effect on anyone or anything. That was just ego and imagination.
On Facebook, for example, intelligent discussions about the economic, social, environmental and political issues swirling around us have almost completely disappeared from the posts I see. Treasured friends have disappeared. I have disappeared too. I have stopped posting on Facebook and restrict myself to commenting on other people’s posts, but that’s still a colossal waste of time because no communication has been accomplished, no money has been earned, a null result.
I gave up on journalism way back in the mid-seventies when I became disenchanted by the evil undercurrent that runs through that business. I made a living as a writer for more than 20 years, writing complex government grant applications and proposals to foundations, doing press releases and that sort of shit. I wrote for a very small audience, sometimes no more than a few dozen people, and raised millions of dollars doing it, year after year, totaling around $100 million, and earning a decent paycheck in the process.
I walked away from that life in 1996 and became a mortgage broker, made lots of money, lost lots of money, and ended where I am now, wherever that is. When Open Salon folded, I started working on Bindle as my last attempt at becoming relevant again. Struck out.
I find myself increasingly unable to finish writing anything (except poetry) and equally unable to finish reading anything (including poetry.) Everything I read seems padded…oh what the fuck. This doesn’t matter either.
I am also finding that long, complex discourses – exactly the shit I have been writing all my life – bore me to death. I keep wanting to scream, “Get to the fucking point already.”
I find myself feeling that there is no reason to post anything here because the same ten people (if that) will read it and that will be that.
So, now, let me ask you, what do you do with these posts? Where do you promote them on social media because that’s how we could have built up the site, posting links on facebook, twitter, and other places like Medium. I tried doing that but I kept getting distracted, so it was an intermittent attempt rather than a consistent one.
I am keeping Bindle open, paying all of $40 a month to do that, and i am covering that bill now by changing my health plan and applying the give back to the charge from the hosting company.
I still have this silly idea that something could be made of this thing…which is another sign of my increasing descent into senility.
So I will ask you once again, what was it you wanted?
Ron Powell
01/12/2022 @ 10:36 am
“Would you like to explain the context of your headline because I really don’t understand what you’re getting at?”
How is it that we decry the lack of traffic, readership, or an audience when we don’t/won’t comment on or even acknowledge the posts of associates and colleagues…
In my view, it’s the interaction and crosstalk that has the potential to draw attention and generate traffic as much as the subject matter and content of posts…
“What does BindleSnitch Fuckery even mean?”
‘Fuckery’ –Wictionary
Nonsense
‘fuckery’ (vulgar, slang) Nonsense, bullshit. Or, messing around.
Fuckery – Urban Dictionary
(noun) Insidious deceit, treachery, falsifications & evil works intended to harm, hurt and/or destroy the intended recipient.
I’m not sure which definition applies thus the question mark…
The context is my asking what is going on here?
Re use of BindleSnitch logo as featured image…
Adjustment made with apologies…
“…I will absolutely never show respect and references to the opinions of others who do not show respect and deference to me…and I don’t see why I even should…”
I’m in agreement and would support this position without hesitation…
Alan Milner
01/13/2022 @ 2:37 pm
And thank you for changing the featured image. I appreciated that.
Anonymous
01/13/2022 @ 7:59 pm
“So I will ask you once again, what was it you wanted?”
Alan, the modicum of support I believe that we owe one another here is acknowledgement and commentary on posts however brief it may be.
People who stumble across or through BindleSnitch and see a bunch of empty comment boxes are not likely to linger or tarry a while much less be tempted to join and participate…
Alan Milner
01/13/2022 @ 9:47 pm
I don’t know who you are but your comment makes no sense to me. What am I supposed to do? Generate fake comments? Make comments when I have nothing to say about the subject under discussion? Really?
Koshersalaami
01/13/2022 @ 10:55 pm
What I’d imagine he wants is a comment to acknowledge the post. With four of us active, there’s no one to leave that to. I’m not sure whether or not I agree but I’m reasonably sure that’s what he wants, the point being that if he’s willing to post to keep the site active, we should be willing to comment.
And so I write about dog bowls. (I probably would anyway, truth be told. I’ve never limited myself on topics and probably have one of the most bizarrely diverse set off post topics of anyone I have known.)
Koshersalaami
01/13/2022 @ 10:56 pm
By the way, Ron, if you want respect shown, don’t post a title like this one. It’s disrespectful to Alan.
Ron Powell
01/15/2022 @ 10:37 am
No disrespect intended .
However it did get some attention and movement…
I don’t think “What’s Going On Here?” Would have produced the same result.
BTW
“…the point being that if he’s willing to post to keep the site active, we should be willing to comment…’
BINGO!!!
Even if cursory and perfunctory,
comments are the indicia of activity and vitality…
We should be courteous and considerate toward one another in our efforts to lift BindleSnitch out of the doldrums…
We can’t get there by ignoring each other…
JP Hart
01/12/2022 @ 3:44 pm
We might try a door prize such as a Dresden Porcelain Large Footed Pierced Bowl from Scully & Scully. Some type of impetus for writers and eureka-seeking scientists to post here. I’ve exhilarating moments on this forum that rival the
Leonard Cohen concert I experienced circa 1973. And, as perhaps the only American not on Twitter or Facebook … my inclination to blurb and shout … you know see wrongs and try to right them … as meanwhile unprecedented doo-dah crazy becomes every-other-day. That is, URGENT. I did not know the Red Cross now has its first-ever blood shortage. I did not know that Jeopardy champion Amy Schneider was robbed at gunpoint in Oakland (?!) And so forth … Everybody Knows. Peace and tranquility. Cup of kindness gentlemen. Please! Existentialism is exactly clear. Optimism is never naïve. Any day now I intend to share my enthusiasm for hydroponic farming such as 100 Acre, Milwaukee, WI.
Maybe I can grow endive in my guppy tank.
Ron Powell
01/13/2022 @ 5:31 am
“…as perhaps the only American not on Twitter or Facebook …”
You are not alone…
Koshersalaami
01/12/2022 @ 9:00 pm
JP,
You are not alone. I am on neither Twitter nor Facebook.
Koshersalaami
01/12/2022 @ 9:08 pm
Ron,
Audience? I don’t know where it is. Participants? We don’t have participants, we have occasional visitors. Everyone who comments with any kind of frequency at all is on this thread. There are four of us. There are a few others who would like to see it continue and might even be willing to contribute money, though not time. Monkey comes to mind. Will we see Greenheron? Will we see Bitey? I doubt we’ll see Art; I chose not to take his side in the last argument. There are maybe a couple of others. That’s it. The entire pool of people who ever talk here, even occasionally, might be ten people.
I have no idea who is reading us. This post at the moment ostensibly has 70 views. Who are they? Actual readers? Some of them are possibly us. Who would follow us without being tempted to argue with us?
Koshersalaami
01/13/2022 @ 12:42 am
Wait, it looks like 7 views
Ron Powell
01/13/2022 @ 6:02 am
“…Audience? I don’t know where it is. Participants?…”
Kosh, you pose a chicken & egg question:
What comes first, writing or readership?
“Who would follow us without being tempted to argue with us?”
Can you write a post with the intention of starting an argument, debate, or heated discussion?
Can people engage in such without becoming vitriolic and refrain from finger pointing and name calling?
It has been my contention that too many people who would participate in the discussions and discourse cannot contribute without becoming hurtful, disrespectful, insulting, hostile ,and bellicose etc…, as though they were on Twitter or Facebook or some such platform which thrives on shitstorms and shitshows….
I believe that this is one of the reasons for the dearth of participation and readership here…
Koshersalaami
01/13/2022 @ 9:45 am
Our writing has not resulted in readership.
Mostly Monkey
01/14/2022 @ 12:37 pm
Im jumping in.
I feel supported here. Were i to write again, I’d bite the proverbial and here it would publish, simply because i respect Alans commitment to keeping a site for writers writing.
Mostly Monkey
01/14/2022 @ 12:40 pm
In order to find “readership” if thats what is missing from your enjoyment, make a homeric effort to promote this site. The guy’s GIVING us this place, if readership is what’s missing for you – go get it.
Mostly Monkey
01/14/2022 @ 12:49 pm
One last thought: for me this site is a luxury. Its a place to contribute comments. I dont write. Ive explained why. But I’ll reiterate- i paint. All the time. I dont want to get wrapped up in writing for the following:
1. its terribly time consuming, Id much rather paint
2. I can see getting wrapped up in poetry again, also very time consuming. Id rather paint.
I love writing and thats the problem. Im not a kid, i can only do what i can do.
Koshersalaami
01/14/2022 @ 4:28 pm
So post your paintings
Mostly Monkey
01/15/2022 @ 11:04 am
And how does that solve your problem?
I already comment here.
Ron Powell
01/15/2022 @ 12:45 pm
Diversity and variety in posts may draw casual views and reads…
Your paintings are good enough to produce commentary especially when you provide background on the paintings you post…
Koshersalaami
01/15/2022 @ 3:56 pm
It’s content, and content worth seeing. I sometimes post photographs. I’m not a good photographer, I’m usually just recording something that caught my eye or reporting on a phenomenon. Those get commented on.
There’s even an advantage to art posts. They tend to be “safer” threads.
JP Hart
01/15/2022 @ 5:57 pm
TX SYNAGOGUE HOSTAGE SITUATION
(let US pray)
Koshersalaami
01/16/2022 @ 3:50 pm
A rabbi we know here knows the rabbi held hostage. Reform Judaism is not a huge world.
Mostly Monkey
01/15/2022 @ 5:46 pm
Have you heard of NFTs?
No, at this point i wont be posting my art. I don’t work from life. I spring off from it and most if not all that i paint isnt even that – it comes out of my head. so for bad or good whatever it is im creating is like a dream, unique. If i ever saw a piece of what ive dreamed up and labored over – in more than one instance – for years, id lose my fucking mind. Seriously.
Mostly Monkey
01/15/2022 @ 5:51 pm
If i painted from life it would be a lot faster and A LOT easier. Im pretty facile, if i say so myself. But i dont. And i dont know why i dont except that because its easier and faster, for me its boring as fuck.
Mostly Monkey
01/15/2022 @ 6:06 pm
Also the soul of it or maybe its my soul doesn’t come from being accurate or being pretty or even from splashy paint strokes. For me, the soul of any creation is behind the façade. Its the many many many versions and ideas and failures and not quites beneath every lump and bump on a surface.
Which isnt to say ill never paint straight from life again. Of course i will and sometimes do. But now the soul of it doesn’t come quite so easily.
Mostly Monkey
01/15/2022 @ 6:11 pm
Fucking anti semitic scum.
Koshersalaami
01/15/2022 @ 8:46 pm
Why would it be necessary to paint from life to post?
Mostly Monkey
01/15/2022 @ 8:49 pm
Oops. The above reads kind of deranged. I should have posted replying directly to JP Heart. But the sentiments stand. I had to stop watching the news. I do that a lot lately. The inmates have taken over the asylum and theyre armed. You
Mostly Monkey
01/15/2022 @ 9:10 pm
Kosh I wont post artwork – none of it. Not now anyway. Theres a growing market for digital art, which is ridiculously easy to “appropriate” from online sources. Its as easy as press and d/l. OR if thats disabled take a screenshot.
Personal output must be protected. For example I assume Ron might not mind if a stranger recorded a song from of one of his performances. I think he wouldn’t be quite so acquiescent if someone recorded one of his performances professionally without his knowledge or permission.
Creative people have to protect their output.
I might be overly cautious. With time ill know more. For now, no thanks.
Ron Powell
01/17/2022 @ 10:19 am
Casual recordings for personal enjoyment are one thing. Professional recordings for publication and profit without the benefit of contractual consent and permission are an entirely different matter…
Mostly Monkey
01/17/2022 @ 7:25 pm
Thanks Ron for understanding my point. If i can i learn to protect my imagery, assuming it’s possible I’d be happy to take a shot at posting some of what im up to.
To anyone reading me – don’t assume im so consumed by my genius that im hiding from the imaginary hoards of forgers salivating over my brilliance.
Its just that theres so little civility now much less adherence to even the most rudimentary rules of engagement that i dont feel it would be wise to upload my work, letting it sit unprotected for possible copying and exploitation – in so many mind boggling myriad ways thanks to PS and digital manipulation – it’s actually so overwhelming id rather not think about it much less do it.
And truth – Plagiarism has always been a huge concern on the internets.
JP Hart
01/15/2022 @ 9:44 pm
VP candidate John Edwards would know what to say.
Mostly Monkey
01/17/2022 @ 7:28 pm
Sadly hes been silenced. Republicans can screw anything that hasn’t been nailed down but Democrats must only “make love” to their official spouses .
Koshersalaami
01/16/2022 @ 3:17 pm
I actually liked Edwards in 2008. He was the guy who really got income polarization.
Mostly Monkey
01/17/2022 @ 7:33 pm
I went up to New Hampshire for a few days to work for his presidential campaign. It was great fun. I loved Edwards. I also loved Weiner. They were great politicians those two but sadly, assholes who were found out. Dems arent good at sexual shenanigans. Repubs are so much better at duplicitousness and even outright pussy grabbing.
Koshersalaami
01/17/2022 @ 8:28 pm
With the right concessions a Republican politician can get away with a lot. Often these concessions are the kind that support some version of intolerance.