Writing is networking for introverts • Hacker News Board

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#71

Post by blowski » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 8:56 AM UTC

vincentmarle wrote: post #67

blowski wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. The whole introvert thing is so loosely defined that it covers everyone to some degree. For example, I find smalltalk with people I don’t really know to be extremely challenging and tiring. And yet with people I do know, or in conversations on topics where I feel confident, I struggle to shut myself up. I wouldn’t consider myself to be either introvert or extrovert, merely some set of personality traits.

> I find smalltalk with people I don’t really know to be extremely challenging and tiring. And yet with people I do know, or in conversations on topics where I feel confident, I struggle to shut myself up. This sounds more like ADHD.

That would imply there’s something wrong with me, something that needs fixing. I don’t feel like that at all.

In a sense, we are all a mixture of personality traits. It’s only when you get to the extremes, where it starts to be harmful, that it becomes a “disorder”.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#72

Post by BlueTemplar » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 9:08 AM UTC

lumenwrites wrote: post #24

The biggest challenge is getting people to read what you wrote, and care enough to respond. I started a blog recently where I want to write notes for my writing practice and explore different subjects I'm interested in. Of course it'd be nice if someone had actually read it, for my personal vanity, and all those conversations and opportunities people claim blogging leads to. But it's not the kind of project it would…

That's what signatures are for ?

As long as you don't abuse those and are interesting enough in your everyday forum conversation, people are going to check those out ?

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#73

Post by hericium » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 9:37 AM UTC

_blu wrote: post #69

hericium wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The fact that someone talks because they find silence uncomfortable doesn't necessarily have to have anything to do with empathy. It may be a form of self-help executed against someone who doesn't really want to talk nor feels in any way uncomfortable when not talking about crap like weather, plans for the weekend, or - better yet - doesn't want to be annoyed by politics. Hell, I know people who tend to help themselv…

sigh...it's not really about the weather. get it. extroversion is not about talking, but socializing, warmth, dominance etc.

People are different. Not everyone uses weather as an entry point to other topics. Some talk about weather and just this, when in the elevator, with no intention of going forward.

This is, I believe, to cover discomfort coming from silence and such conversations, while not completely pointless, often have little value. They would talk about just anything, to combat this feeling. Weather is a good topic because most people can relate and it is rarely annoying.

I would say that both intro- and extroverts can act like this but conversations started by introverts tend to be more awkward. I think that lonely people are more likely to start valuable conversations.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#74

Post by wombatmobile » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 10:34 AM UTC

blowski wrote: post #71

vincentmarle wrote: post #67

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I find smalltalk with people I don’t really know to be extremely challenging and tiring. And yet with people I do know, or in conversations on topics where I feel confident, I struggle to shut myself up. This sounds more like ADHD.

That would imply there’s something wrong with me, something that needs fixing. I don’t feel like that at all. In a sense, we are all a mixture of personality traits. It’s only when you get to the extremes, where it starts to be harmful, that it becomes a “disorder”.

I used to find trying to entertain people by playing the piano extremely tiring and challenging. I was just so bad at it. The more I tried the worse I felt.

Then I took piano lessons, practised a lot, and learnt three songs quite well.

Ever since then, when I’m at a party where there’s a piano, I’ve played one or two songs, then spent the rest of the night talking with people about music.

Learning to play the piano has helped me to overcome my social awkwardness. Now, instead of strangers feeling like an energy drain, it’s like they charge my batteries.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#75

Post by arvinsim » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 10:44 AM UTC

I am interested in how to improve one's writing, especially in creative nonfiction. Unlike programming where you can get feedback immediately from the computer if you make a mistake, it's usually not easy to find a mentor to give feedback if one's writing is improving or regressing.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#76

Post by 9387367 » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 10:51 AM UTC

arvinsim wrote: post #75

I am interested in how to improve one's writing, especially in creative nonfiction. Unlike programming where you can get feedback immediately from the computer if you make a mistake, it's usually not easy to find a mentor to give feedback if one's writing is improving or regressing.

I’ll curse your writing style for free and will rewrite it for $1 a word plus $5 for each word I can eliminate.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#77

Post by 4monthsaway » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 11:51 AM UTC

lumenwrites wrote: post #24

The biggest challenge is getting people to read what you wrote, and care enough to respond. I started a blog recently where I want to write notes for my writing practice and explore different subjects I'm interested in. Of course it'd be nice if someone had actually read it, for my personal vanity, and all those conversations and opportunities people claim blogging leads to. But it's not the kind of project it would…

Interesting idea, but yea, your last point would probably be the outcome, sadly.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#78

Post by jraby3 » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 12:35 PM UTC

lumenwrites wrote: post #24

The biggest challenge is getting people to read what you wrote, and care enough to respond. I started a blog recently where I want to write notes for my writing practice and explore different subjects I'm interested in. Of course it'd be nice if someone had actually read it, for my personal vanity, and all those conversations and opportunities people claim blogging leads to. But it's not the kind of project it would…

Try /r/hnblogs. It was created specifically to promote contributors of hacker news.

I’ve never submitted anything but I’ve read and commented on quite a few articles I’ve read from that subreddit.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#79

Post by Ginden » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 12:44 PM UTC

lumenwrites wrote: post #24

The biggest challenge is getting people to read what you wrote, and care enough to respond. I started a blog recently where I want to write notes for my writing practice and explore different subjects I'm interested in. Of course it'd be nice if someone had actually read it, for my personal vanity, and all those conversations and opportunities people claim blogging leads to. But it's not the kind of project it would…

I write, because it makes my arguments reusable for like-minded people, with sources, quotes etc.

Re: Writing is networking for introverts

#80

Post by Ginden » Mon, Nov 22, 2021, 12:48 PM UTC

jstx1 wrote: post #3

I change my opinions way too frequently for it. Reading stuff that I wrote as recently as a year ago is mildly painful and annoying.

> I change my opinions way too frequently for it.

That's interesting, though. I rarely change my opinions, but I noticed one thing - I often say "I don't know about this subject enough to have strong opinion".

I feel like if I change your opinions frequently, these opinions weren't built on good enough basis.