The death of the former chief minister of Kerala,
Oommen Chandy, led to an unexpected holiday today. So I picked up a book to
read, out of the three in the waiting list. The Upside of Irrationality
by Dan Ariely was my choice this morning. The other two may require more
concentration than I can muster today: Ivory Thone by Manu S
Pillai and The Journey Home by Radhanath Swami.
“International bestselling author” Ariely hasn’t caught
my fancy yet. What prompted me to buy Ariely’s book is its subtitle: ‘The
Unexpected Benefits of Defying Logic at Work and at Home’. Human irrationality,
including mine, is something that has made me think a lot. Ariely doesn’t seem
to have many interesting things to say about the subject, I feel. Maybe, I
should be more patient.
Chapter 2 discusses the meaning of labour. How many
people find their jobs significantly meaningful? Your job can have Meaning with
a capital M or meaning with a small m. The former implies that your work
affects a large number of people – say, you’re making medicines that save lives.
Or you may be doing a job that does not aspire too much.
I’m not quite sure whether my job, teaching, gives me meaning
with large M or small one. I hope I do touch some hearts and minds. That I do
make a difference in the lives of some young people.
While speaking about meaningful labour, Ariely
mentions blogging. “The number of blogs out there is astounding, and it seems
that almost everyone has a blog or is thinking about starting one,” he says.
Quite many of these blogs may not have any substantial readership. As Ariely
puts it, “probably only the blogger’s mother or best friend reads them.” He adds
that “even writing for one person, compared to writing for nobody seems to be
enough to compel millions of people to blog.”
I’m thankful to have a fairly good readership. The numbers do matter. Would I write if hardly anyone was reading me? I don’t think so. I stopped writing books when I realised that not even my best friends and closest relatives are interested in my books. Very few of them read my blog too, I think. People who know you from close quarters usually don’t think much of you. No wonder they say that familiarity breeds contempt.
 |
| Numbers |
Google Analytics inform me that my most read posts are
related to academics – students and/or teachers find them useful. Good enough.
Maybe, I can focus more on such topics. But you see, what gives me fun in writing
is the other kind of writing – nothing to do with academics. That fun is my
little meaning. Let that be.
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteFor me, the numbers do not matter - it is a writing outlet that permits me to exercise what skill I may have and to hone it - but also to share interests and maybe spark some in others. My family just don't read my blogs, though most of those I call friend do. It is also true that many I now call friend became such through the blog itself! The readership may be small, but it is not petty... YAM xx
True that now my friends are more from among bloggers. After all, not too many have interest in reading.
DeleteHope your trip is going fine.
Writing is a form of catharsis for me.
ReplyDeleteFor many, I believe. For me too. But if there are no readers, I'd rather keep a diary.
DeleteI just like to blog. Plus it a threptic for me.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on, and stay safe.
Good. Writing has immense therapeutic potential.
Delete"People who know you from close quarters usually don’t think much of you. No wonder they say that familiarity breeds contempt." A fair comment one would say :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a common observation of all writers, i think.
DeleteYour personal experience with writing books and finding a limited interest from best friends and close relatives is something many creators, including me, can relate to. It's a reminder that sometimes, those closest to us may not fully appreciate our creative endeavors. In the past, I used to be deeply bothered by this, but now I've come to realize that blogging is a means for me to express myself and my passion for writing. When I stay true to my authentic voice, the right audience naturally discovers and connects with me.
ReplyDeleteStaying true to your own voice, the authenticity, that matters a lot.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can feel what you have felt and relate to it too. All the same, let me assert for me that I have always written for venting out my own pent-up feelings (mostly under the garb of reviews of books, movies or tv shows). I became happy when my writings were read and commented upon but I seldom became unhappy when it did not happen because the inner satisfaction I got from writing was enough for me. I even wrote a full-fledged novel just for the sake of my own satisfaction. It's been published now and it hardly matters to me that it has reached barely one thousand people (combined figure for both e-book and paperback editions) because penning it itself has given me too much satisfaction to care for its sale or readership. I read your (almost) all the articles, however I comment only when I feel that I am able to say anything meaningful on the subject matter. And let me candidly admit that my reading habit has been on a downward spiral for the past couple of years. In my humble opinion, the satisfaction that you derive from writing should overpower the paining fact of the low readership of the resultant stuff.
ReplyDeleteThat's true, and I won't give up writing. Though I know my limitations as a writer, the urge to write is irresistible and I'll go on irrespective of numbers. But numbers also matter, that's my feeling.
DeleteThe numbers do matter, sure. Right now i'm trying to detach myself from it and write solely to improve my writing, experiment, understand what i enjoy about it and most of all create a habit and become comfortable with it. For now, this is my meaning! also- glad you write a blog, i learn many things here~
ReplyDeleteDelighted to note that you went on marathon reading of my blog today.
Delete