DISQUS

"You might find that the conversations that start on your blog, even the negative ones, are enlightening, and you might find yourself getting information that will help you improve your product, service, or maybe the business itself. Be open to it. All of it."

Good advice - seems like a good idea to me.

This type of business succeeds in the long term by delivering on the dreams of their customers. If you nickel-and-dime your customers, they'll go somewhere else. Why do I shop at Amazon? Cheap prices *and* cheap shipping (sometimes free). Why was Burger King able to muscle in on McDonald's locktight grip on the fast food burger world? Because you could have it your way. When you put your customer's desires above your own, your kids' inheritance will be larger.

I do see an upside to any reader calling out any writer. Even if the call-out shows a lack of familiarity with the author's intended purpose, it also shows a snapshot of the readership. I would argue that every writer has a noticeable percentage of readers who are casual, and therefore not connected with the core of the writer's being. If the writer doesn't care and writes as an artform, great, no big deal. But if the writer wants to attract more readers, comments that call-out a perceived deficiency are hard currency, far more valuable than the readers who get you so well that the only comments they make are fan-based.

Do you think that this post got the Twitter folks to release their statement? My money says Yes.

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Stu

GNMParents

I've been writing since I was six, writing essays since I was 8, writing research papers since 10, and writing professionally since I was 18. I'm now 40 and still write, this time it's a weekly column. And every word has come from head to hand to pencil/pen/typewriter/computer keyboard instantly, with little hesitation.

There are upsides and downsides to this behavior. Almost all upsides. I save time, sure, but I also get my thoughts across most clearly. Like they say about True Or False tests, go with your first thought, it's most likely correct.

Now I know that Hemingway once said "The first draft of anything is shit." But I also know that Hemingway was a sad man, chasing ghosts and the love of a crazy mother whom he couldn't ever please well enough. For me, the first draft is the heart and bones of it, and if I bring my A Game, the first draft won't need more than a quick polish.

But that's me.

I'm turning 40 in the next few days. Thank you so much for your essay, it really hit home for me.

I see a fair amount of Soupy Sales in Alton Brown's show persona and the show's personality as well. If I ever got a chance to have a real sit-down with Mr. Brown, I would definitely ask if he was influenced by the Soupy Sales show.

On another note, wouldn't it be great if more television were honest the way Good Eats is. Alton is integrous, something that I'd like other shows to consider.