An Unblossomed Bloom December 14, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Mindfulness, People, Spirit & Ego.comments closed
When lone gunmen wander into public places and open fire, we wonder what essential element is missing from their humanity.
Who could knowingly inflict such tragic pain on innocents?
What makes someone want to snuff out life, light, laughter, and love?
How did they become so tarnished, decayed, depraved, and frayed?
Why mow down a field of wildflowers filled with unblossomed blooms?
We could be so much more than we are . . . if Ego didn’t get in the way.
More thoughts on the shooting in Connecticut: No Optimistic Message (Maggie Madly Writing) * Making Sense of the Senseless (Apple Pie & Napalm) * I Can’t Imagine (Woman Wielding Words) * Dementia (BeeBlu) * I Am The Problem (Crowing Crone Woman of Wisdom)
Strands of String Pings December 14, 2012
Posted by nrhatch in Art & Photography, Blogging, Humor.comments closed
Lately, I’ve noticed a disturbing trend that’s growing in popularity among bloggers . . . the “String Ping.”
A blogger writes a post in connection with a WP Prompt or Photo Challenge and includes a l~e~n~g~t~h~y string of pingbacks to everyone and anyone who did a post on that topic, prompt, or photo challenge.
Often, the blogger does not bother to visit or comment on the linked posts first ~ they just grab ALL the links from the WP prompt and string them together like beads on a necklace.
Or strands of popcorn and cranberries for the yuletide tree.
In no time at all, they’ve created cyber garlands L~O~N~G enough to circle the globe.
Why?
At first glance, String Pings appear to be “free advertising” for posts listed. But with 30, 40, or 150 (!) other links in the same strand, the likelihood of a single piece of cyber popcorn garnering a second glance is slim to none.
Especially since there is little to differentiate one kernel from the next.
So, what’s really going on?
String Pingers, like spiders, create vast networks of cyber garlands:
* with 30, 40, or 150 (!) links back to their blogs
* to gain free advertising and attract visitors
* often without visiting or commenting on host sites first
String Pingers are . . . parasites . . . cyber ticks . . . vampiric blood suckers.
Oh, wait, I’ve got it!
String Pings are . . . SPAM.
Hence the new policy on SLTW of flushing String Pings down the cyber toilet via my SPAM folder.
Aah . . . that’s better!
Related post: What’s the Deal with SPAM? (WP Daily Post)
Spirit Lights The Way 