The Way Things Are™
Why is it that stories about struggle and conflict command our attention?
While I am unable to answer this question, I can give personal testimony to the reality of it.
For the past two years or so, I have written about my struggles with depression and my related efforts to overcome my inner demons and the baggage of the past. It was good to write about those things, and judging from the responses I got, it was also good reading. But a couple of months ago, those battles were essentially over, so naturally, I stopped writing about them. Since then, my LJ has been largely devoid of tales of conflict, and largely devoid in equal measure of feedback.
Readers take note: this is not criticism of you, nor a fishing expedition on my part for feedback. I'm simply sharing an observation I've made on The Way Things Are™. Heck, I'm as guilty of this as anyone. Not only am I more prone to give feedback in an LJ entry that entails conflict of some sort, be it internal or with others, but I've become less prone to post as well. While everyone seems to enjoy my posts on The Good Stuff ™, I have no way to really know, because with the notable exception of selkiesyrin, I rarely get feedback on those posts. The prevailing mindset seems to be "Hey, things are really going well over there. That's great! That's wonderful! That's... completely boring." My progress reports on the 100 push ups? The initial posts got responses, then nothing... until the other day when I detailed a set-back. The Good Stuff ™? Not much feedback. My most recent post where I talked about my "struggle" with coming to terms with a sense of loss now that I'm not longer battling depression? Feedback.
Let's face it, folks. As much as we all claim to hate drama, the sad fact of the matter is that drama sells. Why is it that some people seem to go out of their way to invite drama? Because without drama, life is boring. Without drama, no one pays any attention to them. Without drama, nothing is really happening. All of those drama queens and attention whores everyone loves to bitch about are a by-product of our own failings: if we knew how to stay focused on things without the drama, they wouldn't need to make it. Even worse is the fact that even drama, itself, can get boring after a while. Why do you think it takes TV shows like The Sopranos or Desperate Housewives to get our attention anymore? Because all of the stories and dramas that were interesting once upon a time are now seen as trite and dull. It's why The Circus Maximus kept getting grander and bloodier with each show - even murder, slaughter and butchery can get dull after a while without some variety.
I don't like what this says about us, but it is the truth, and a truth is no-less true because we don't like what it is.
While I am unable to answer this question, I can give personal testimony to the reality of it.
For the past two years or so, I have written about my struggles with depression and my related efforts to overcome my inner demons and the baggage of the past. It was good to write about those things, and judging from the responses I got, it was also good reading. But a couple of months ago, those battles were essentially over, so naturally, I stopped writing about them. Since then, my LJ has been largely devoid of tales of conflict, and largely devoid in equal measure of feedback.
Readers take note: this is not criticism of you, nor a fishing expedition on my part for feedback. I'm simply sharing an observation I've made on The Way Things Are™. Heck, I'm as guilty of this as anyone. Not only am I more prone to give feedback in an LJ entry that entails conflict of some sort, be it internal or with others, but I've become less prone to post as well. While everyone seems to enjoy my posts on The Good Stuff ™, I have no way to really know, because with the notable exception of selkiesyrin, I rarely get feedback on those posts. The prevailing mindset seems to be "Hey, things are really going well over there. That's great! That's wonderful! That's... completely boring." My progress reports on the 100 push ups? The initial posts got responses, then nothing... until the other day when I detailed a set-back. The Good Stuff ™? Not much feedback. My most recent post where I talked about my "struggle" with coming to terms with a sense of loss now that I'm not longer battling depression? Feedback.
Let's face it, folks. As much as we all claim to hate drama, the sad fact of the matter is that drama sells. Why is it that some people seem to go out of their way to invite drama? Because without drama, life is boring. Without drama, no one pays any attention to them. Without drama, nothing is really happening. All of those drama queens and attention whores everyone loves to bitch about are a by-product of our own failings: if we knew how to stay focused on things without the drama, they wouldn't need to make it. Even worse is the fact that even drama, itself, can get boring after a while. Why do you think it takes TV shows like The Sopranos or Desperate Housewives to get our attention anymore? Because all of the stories and dramas that were interesting once upon a time are now seen as trite and dull. It's why The Circus Maximus kept getting grander and bloodier with each show - even murder, slaughter and butchery can get dull after a while without some variety.
I don't like what this says about us, but it is the truth, and a truth is no-less true because we don't like what it is.