As the author of an obscure blog, I sometimes become discouraged by the lack of engagements and dialogues. I learn more by engaging in discussions and debates on the subjects that fascinate me, than by reading and writing about them. For this reason, I envy the most those bloggers who attract a dozen comments following each and every one of their posts.
At times like these, I find inspiration in the stories of two men:
1. Ignatius of Loyola was the founder of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuits. When he first resolved to teach the Christian doctrine to children every day, his brother objected, and assured him that no one would come. In answer Ignatius said, “One is enough for me.” As soon as he began to teach, however, many came regularly, his brother among the number. Descartes and Voltaire were educated by the Jesuits, and Pope Francis is its most notable living member.
2. When the Nazis came to power in Germany in 1933, they launched a campaign against “Jewish science” and the many German scientists who were Jews. Einstein and the theory of relativity were principal targets for this campaign. When told of publication of the book One Hundred Authors Against Einstein, he replied, “Why 100? If I were wrong, one would have been enough.”
It is the content and quality of my post that matter the most, not how many people like it; If my post is truthful and inspiring, even if only one person benefits, it is enough, and oftentimes that one person is myself.
References:
- Ignatius. The Autobiography of St. Ignatius. Ed. J. F. X. O’Conor. New York: Benziger Bros., 1900.
- Hawking, Stephen. The Universe in a Nutshell. New York: Bantam Books, 2001.
Perhaps the commentators can’t write as well as you and are timid to leave their mark.
Thank you for your kind words, Joe.
It is my intent to learn from others, not to intimidate them into silence. 🙂
Nemo,
As the author of a blog with an even more limited readership, my heart goes out to you. Our views may differ, but we share in our obscurity.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers,
Randal
Hi Randal,
Speaking of intimidating, you’re more knowledgeable than I in many areas. I hope to pick your brain in the not so distant future. 🙂
Au contraire, Nemo. I love your posts and your commitment to them. We can learn much, especially from those with whom we disagree. Cheers, Randal
Randal,
Indeed. I’ve benefited much from those who question or disagree with me in a civil and rational manner, and am looking for ways to foster such engagements.
Hi Nemo,
I read all of your posts. And as soon as I finish a classic, I check out your blog to see what your thoughts were. I always learn something, and for that I am grateful! Please keep it up. I’m going to need your help when I start Aristotle next week. 😀
I’m glad that you’re reading Aristotle after finishing Plato, Genni. Good job!
Their ways of thinking complement each other. It takes me a long time to get used to Aristotle, but it is well worth the effort.
Honestly, I think having few comments on a blog is often a compliment. The blogs I comment on least frequently are the ones that have the deepest content. Usually I have to think over what they’ve written before responding and then it’s much harder to convey a response. All this takes time, which is in short supply and I often just don’t get back to comment, in spite of intending to. But blogs like yours are the blogs with which I interact the most mentally (or internally). So don’t get discouraged. I read all your wonderful posts and they often spur me on to make a connection or expand my own thoughts! Please, keep on blogging! 🙂
Thank you for the kind words of encouragement, Cleo.
Providing feedback is a labour of love, and it does take tremendous amount of time and effort. So I appreciate all the more those people, including yourself, who comment on my posts.
Thank you all, again.