High Quality Content... and Nobody Reads It!

I was poking around here on Steemit, looking for some new people to follow. I tend to be rather picky about that... I only follow people whose content I am actually interested in reading. Hence, I only follow about one-quarter as many people as follow me.  Sorry about that folks-- I don't do "automatic followbacks."

Yes, I actually read articles. Quite a concept, no?

Great Stuff... But Does Anybody READ It?

As I came across a number of pretty good writers, it occurred to me how much good writing is out there on the Internet... and how little of it actually gets read. I'm not just talking here on Steemit, I'm talking about on the web, in general.

I'm not sure what it says about humanity that we're more likely to look at "trashy soundbytes" than read actual articles we might learn something from, or genuinely be entertained by.

Reminded me of something one of my creative writing professors back when I was in college told the class: Less than 2% of what's published in the book industry is actually anywhere even close to "literature" quality; the vast majority of what's published is basically "popular pulp."

Of course, here we're just sharing bits and pieces from our lives, but even so. Here-- as opposed to most places online-- there's also the additional wrinkle of people earning a reward. I guess that can matter, because many will create for the purpose of "getting the reward," more than because they actually care about what they are creating.

Still, it makes me sad when someone creates something really excellent... and I can tell from about half a dozen comments that whoever left them didn't even bother to read the article!

In Pursuit of Highlighting "the Good Stuff"

I suppose it's really an age-old dilemma... in writing, and in many other forms of creative expression. "Quality" and popularity are not necessarily the same thing. In fact, often they are quite different.

One of the other writing lessons I learned while in college was that I should expect to spend much of my life "writing to a 9th grade level." 

Much as that reality pains me, at times, we must not forget one of the core components of effective communication: It's more important that the intended recipients "get it" and "understand it" than whether you are creating elegant prose. Now if you can actually succeed at BOTH? That's brilliant. 

So what's my point here? 

There are many approaches to creating content... and each may be quite valid, in its own context. I happen to like "good stuff," and that's what I am choosing to highlight and reward, as I do my rounds on Steemit-- and elsewhere. Not saying anyone else should do it "my way," just that my way is "valid."

What about YOU? Do you seek out genuinely good writing on the web, and on Steemit? Or do you just look at "entertainment?" Or do you care either way? Some people, after all "only look at the pictures." Do you have any kind of thought and method to how you give out your upvotes and comments? Leave a comment-- share your experiences and feedback-- be part of the conversation!

(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Published 20170828 17:13 PDT