(no subject)
Jan. 1st, 2002 11:33 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
scottobearI've been surfing the memberships of the communities I run, and saw something... "make a donation" buttons where there's no real charity involved.
a quote from the page in question -
I've been thinking a lot about energy exchange, and how this journal is working in my life in terms of energy exchange. More and more, I feel as though I am pouring these pieces of myself out into the world and receiving no energy in return.
Make no mistake, money is a form of energy. So, I've installed this donation system to allow those of you who want to give a little back in exchange to do so. There's no suggested amount, and no requirement to give. It's just a way to say "thanks" if you so desire.
Is it me, or does that seem sort of screwed up? Maybe it's just a fundamental difference in the approach to the journal idea than my own. I write in my journal for a number of reasons, as a notepad, a way to share myself in the form my views and findings with other people. I get enjoyment in the sharing aspect, and don't view it as "emptying out my energy" at all. Knowing that people read and enjoy what I write is quite a pleasant feedback...and when folks post a reply with something to add, that kind of feedback adds a great feeling in it's own right.
I can sorta-kinda understand the idea of a gift exchange, via a wish list or the like... I think it's the way it was put forth that strikes me as tacky or cheap, somehow, and maybe a bit seedy. It is on a volunteer basis, like a wish list. but doesn't it seem odd to say "I like your Journal, thanks for writing in it, here's $1"? It stops being a sharing, and turns into something else... not sure what.
The digital version of being a street performer, passing the hat?
The funny thing is, I have no problem with a writer being paid for their work. I've never viewed writing in a journal as work, though. It's more an act of release, and comfortable record keeping. I suppose it's all in the wording, and the reward... If you don't like writing, don't write. Somehow "Well, I'd enjoy it if I got paid for it" strikes me as the line you draw between a prostitute and a lover of the craft.
Ah well, to close on assorted cliches; your mileage may vary. To each their own, and all that. I hope everyone gets the energy that they want and deserve.
a quote from the page in question -
I've been thinking a lot about energy exchange, and how this journal is working in my life in terms of energy exchange. More and more, I feel as though I am pouring these pieces of myself out into the world and receiving no energy in return.
Make no mistake, money is a form of energy. So, I've installed this donation system to allow those of you who want to give a little back in exchange to do so. There's no suggested amount, and no requirement to give. It's just a way to say "thanks" if you so desire.
Is it me, or does that seem sort of screwed up? Maybe it's just a fundamental difference in the approach to the journal idea than my own. I write in my journal for a number of reasons, as a notepad, a way to share myself in the form my views and findings with other people. I get enjoyment in the sharing aspect, and don't view it as "emptying out my energy" at all. Knowing that people read and enjoy what I write is quite a pleasant feedback...and when folks post a reply with something to add, that kind of feedback adds a great feeling in it's own right.
I can sorta-kinda understand the idea of a gift exchange, via a wish list or the like... I think it's the way it was put forth that strikes me as tacky or cheap, somehow, and maybe a bit seedy. It is on a volunteer basis, like a wish list. but doesn't it seem odd to say "I like your Journal, thanks for writing in it, here's $1"? It stops being a sharing, and turns into something else... not sure what.
The digital version of being a street performer, passing the hat?
The funny thing is, I have no problem with a writer being paid for their work. I've never viewed writing in a journal as work, though. It's more an act of release, and comfortable record keeping. I suppose it's all in the wording, and the reward... If you don't like writing, don't write. Somehow "Well, I'd enjoy it if I got paid for it" strikes me as the line you draw between a prostitute and a lover of the craft.
Ah well, to close on assorted cliches; your mileage may vary. To each their own, and all that. I hope everyone gets the energy that they want and deserve.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2002-01-01 09:26 am (UTC)Different people put different value on money.
Some could see this as a legitimate expression of appriciation.
Others value money in other ways... Personally, I believe that Americans often view money with an almost religious fervor. Possibly other cultures do to, but I see mine more clearly than others do.
Personally, I enjoy my journal for itself... On the other hand, it a million people gave me $1 each... I would definitly enjoy it more. I wouldn't DO more... But My life would certainly CHANGE.
That would make an interesting experiment...
I should see if I can get 1 million people to pay me $1 to write an essay on how it changed my life...
no subject
Date: 2002-01-01 09:28 am (UTC)secretly this meant:
"but I see mine more clearly than I do others."
definite difference in meaning there.
Re:
Date: 2002-01-01 09:33 am (UTC)I don't have the same religious attachment to money that some people do... I imagine some of the folks out there that have a 100 or more friends could convince them to send a buck or two... somehow, I don't see anyone getting more than a grand out of it unless some sort of sex or violence were involved.
I'm sure some could see getting a dollar as a legit sense of appreciation, but I personally don't feel that way.
no subject
Date: 2002-01-01 09:35 am (UTC)Maybe that should be the going rate -- if you're going to pay to get someone's $0.02, perhaps that's the perfect amount to lay out.
The way to make money from writing is to publish a book, collection, article, etc. that people pay in order to read. I've seen a few journal websites asking for payment before letting people read, but those tend to be of a pornographic nature. Right now, my aim is just to have a small audience for my writing. That's it. I am just trying to write as much as possible and be as honest as I dare. I am getting to know some readers personally, through reading their journals, but I'm not looking for admirers or items from my wishlist. I think that misses the whole point of why we're doing this.
Re:
Date: 2002-01-01 09:40 am (UTC)Pretentious is a good word for my opinion of the person's personality, at least what I've viewed of it.
I think $.02 is a great amount to issue.
Your comments about making money are spot on. Admiriers and gifts are nice, but I do like the ability to pour out whatever you like in a centally located place.
Re: map vs. terrain
Date: 2002-01-01 09:59 am (UTC)on the upside, all the journal's donations are voluntary... but flipside, it was delivered in a passive-agressive way, almost guilting someone to pay them.
I got a new RAW book for Christmas! :) A lot of fun.
no subject
Date: 2002-01-01 10:55 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2002-12-31 06:14 pm (UTC)http://www.livejournal.com/users/00goddess/day/2002/01/01