I am a decent writer. Need a quick column? I’m there. Need a short story or essay or script or poem? I laugh and reach for my keyboard. Need to compose a polite but insistent e-mail to a retailer to complain about the shopping cart left lodged wheel-deep into your Civic? I’m on it. And yet, when faced with the most minor writing task imaginable, I freeze up.
Such as, for example, leaving feedback at eBay.
It’s a simple thing, really. You’ve made a transaction at this popular online auction site, you’re either happy or unhappy with the results, and all you have to do is check a box and leave a short comment about the ordeal. But I stare at the screen helplessly, torn over my choice. After all, future generations will look at my words before putting their faith in this person. The 80 characters or less that I write may make the difference between someone’s personal satisfaction and their financial ruin. And what if my seller just had an off day but doesn’t really deserve the crushing report I want to deliver? Do I want the responsibility of being the only “Negative” comment in an otherwise sterling life?
quote:Do I want the responsibility of being the only “Negative” comment in an otherwise sterling life?
Eh, I used to sometimes be the only teacher giving a bad grade on a student's report card. This is probably only slightly more life-altering.
Posts: 32919 | Registered: Mar 2003
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You know you can copy and paste to find out the word count. I never finished NaNoWriMo (by a depressingly long shot) but I did come away with a bunch of tools to use that come in handy at work and such.
Posts: 2034 | Registered: Apr 2004
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Each and every one is 80 characters or less.
And while I can usually work easily within the family-friendly standards of our newspaper, I had to bite back hard on some of my more robust ideas...
Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000
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quote:Transaction served as wholly adequate replacement for human contact. Bless you
I thought Chris was going for, ah, "marital aid" with this one, so it made an interesting inclusion on my read. I'll never look at Night at the Museum the same again. (But I have a dirty mind.)
quote:Remember this feedback when they find my body, and cry for me
I read this as a negative (as in, I am going to go kill myself now), but it's clear that it's a positive coment from your check. Which is good, as Turtledove should not inspire suicide. Maybe killing off one's evil alternate self with the pointy black beard, but not oneself. (However, maybe you aren't the self you think you are. Dun-dun-dunnnh! )
Posts: 14017 | Registered: May 2000
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I read this as a negative (as in, I am going to go kill myself now), but it's clear that it's a positive coment from your check. Which is good, as Turtledove should not inspire suicide. Maybe killing off one's evil alternate self with the pointy black beard, but not oneself. (However, maybe you aren't the self you think you are. Dun-dun-dunnnh! ) [/QB]
Heh.
I took it to mean, I'm leaving this as a positive feedback so that someone, anyone, will miss me.
Posts: 3134 | Registered: Mar 2005
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"I have left my family and now roam behind this seller, learning and growing"
"A bit more of my youth has been lost, torn away by lies and poor shipping habits."
"The speed and courtesy were unexpected, as was the enclosed butter."
Actually, I was strongly tempted to just come up with a few dozen Shakespearian feedbacks, but I restrained myself to just two.
Posts: 7790 | Registered: Aug 2000
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"Seller personally carried purchase to my doorstep, offered to trim hedges and watch my children A++++"
Posts: 14316 | Registered: Jul 2005
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"Repeated delays in shipping have doomed all those in the Greater Philadelphia region to eternal torment."
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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"Transaction was satisfactory but left me craving for fish-flavored cat food. Cat food was unsatisfactory."
Posts: 10177 | Registered: Apr 2001
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I never finished NaNoWriMo (by a depressingly long shot) but I did come away with a bunch of tools to use that come in handy at work and such.
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