The shameless attempts at promotion are rampant here at JU. I guess I am slightly guilty of that myself. Chances are if you are reading this you were only hoping to "bump" one of your friends in the ranks.
I am not sure why numbers become so important. I have been around the internet's ability to offer instant, free exchange of thoughts for a long time now. I was a hard core VP user. I was drawn in by the people, after all people are my favorite hobby. I like to observe, interact and even gamble on the predicted outcome of the everyday follies of my prey. Unfortunately, I am rarely wrong in my predictions of people. I watched VP turn from a great place to meet interesting people to a den of revenge, one upping and well... err... sex prowlers.
JU has less appeal to the sex prowlers because of the lack of immediate gratification. However, revenge seekers and those that have to be on top have settled quite nicely into this little community. Personality is rarely unique. You pick up you good habits and bad generally from the same sources ... parents, friends, and coworkers. That makes personalities almost cyclical. I guess what I'm saying is, if you spend enough time with an 90 year old man who speaks only to complain about his health, it is likely that when you are old you will repeat that pattern. Why? Because it is a comfortable pattern. I am sure you have all realized little glimpses of your parents in you.
I am not saying those things are bad, just interesting. The JU community jumps right on the bandwagon of one upping just as it happened in VP. The revenge, well that's a different story. That is what makes this forum fun. The election sparked some really great debates but it also sparked as many (or more) flame wars. The passion of ideas came bubbling to the surface. Now we are left with the occasional BOO! or HOORAY! for the war. I guess since there is nothing better to write about why not make a game out of the community.
I read a lot and write very few articles. I reply when I feel passionate about something or have some personal experience to share. I have been guilty of asking questions to illicit responses (most of which have gone ignored). I read most all of the top 20 bloggers on this site because once in a while, between the points whoring they write something that inspires me to examine my own ideas. I get most of those inspirations, however, from the lower ends of the ranks.
I'm not quite sure if this is a rant. It's not intended to be ... or ... I didn't intend it to be in the beginning. I just thought I might share my idea with you in hopes that you would be inspired to keep my hobby entertained with the beautiful little slices of life you share.
Since I don't want to adversely keep anyone’s name out of the top 20, please don't type a single word in each reply. Plus, that is driving the scroll wheel on my mouse crazy.