Friday, August 19, 2011

You're Probably Not Even Reading This

Remember the Carly Simon song "You're So Vain" and the lyrics "you probably think this song is about you?" Well, this article is for you too. You probably think I'm talking specifically about *you* when I actually mean the collective *you* instead. So, don't take this article personally unless, of course, this really is about *you*.

You don't read. You skim your incoming e-mails, Facebook, Twitter and G+ posts. I don't know if you skip every other word or every other line, but you definitely skim. And once you skim-read something you quickly jot a reply and hit send without reading what you just wrote. Your reply doesn't make sense and it is studded with inaccuracies or misspelled words. All because you don't read.

Three times this week I've sent you a message with details in the body of the message. And you quickly replied asking me for those same details. Seriously? Why don't you read?

Dozens of times each day I reject new links you send me. Some are inappropriate and many are just repeats of what I already have. Why do you do this? You ignore all the guidelines I have in place. Because you don't read! And when I write to ask you not to do this again you reply with something sarcastic or flippant. You need to read and then absorb what you just read.

Because you don't read you end up wondering why no one ever replies to your messages. You wonder why some replies you do get aren't all that helpful. You need to read.

Because you don't read you are missing valuable details and little nuggets that might extend the branches of your family tree even further. You need to read.

Because you don't read, and especially not with any care, you are missing out on so many important topics, so many helpful threads, and so many potential tips and tricks that might be just what you need.

Who am I kidding? You're probably not even reading this.

20 comments:

Rosemary said...

I read it! I read it!

GrannyPam said...

You just hit the nail on the head. I know it was easy, the nail had a big flat head, and was easy to see.

I wonder if anyone is reading?

Lisa Wallen Logsdon said...

Oh...this is great! I DO skim because if I didn't I'd never have time for anything else. But my replies....no! I read over them before I hit "send". I try to be very careful not to send things that I've already seen a dozen times...or even twice! I TRY to always spell things right and do my best to make sure my grammar is decent....LOL! Nobody's perfect, but perfection sure makes it bettah! ;-D

Judy Lepoma said...

So TRUE!!!! This happens to me all the time. If they just would take the extra seconds to read the message before responding it would save a lot of headaches.

kinfolknews said...

Oh, I think someone is cranky. (There's a lot of that going around this week!)

I've felt this way many, many times and just didn't have the words to express it! Thanks Cyndi! Letting it out made me feel better. I hope it did the same for you!!

Regina =^)

Unknown said...

way to go Cyndi..saying it like it is....its frustrating to have someone do this kind of behaviour...........and if you're being cranky...well I guess I join you in crankiness...thanks for all you do

grandma said...

LOL! Thank you for the netiquette lesson. Reminded me of a lecture that my teacher gave me about daydreaming instead of focusing on the lesson. :-)

Rulon M. Cushing said...

Sometimes people think they are the only ones in the World. Or that the World Centers around them. Well you are probably speaking to THEM and they will never get IT! But I hope you feel better. They (the I People) should be telling THANK YOU for what you do for them. The End Rulon

Donna said...

I read it because your opening with the song lyrics was intriguing - like a challenge or dare. That song was on my daughter's favorites list when she was a teenager, which is the only reason I know it. I am a self-employed proofreader and totally agree with your points. Like you, rarely does a day go by that I don't get some email indicating people either didn't read (with comprehension) their original email or their email in response.

Thanks for the rant. Donna

Judy Webster said...

I know EXACTLY how you feel!

Cyndi Ingle said...

One of the replies to an inappropriate link this week was, "geez, don't have a cow, breathe..." Sure, I'll breathe. After I waste 5 minutes of my life dealing with your non-reading self. < / rant >

Nancy said...

I promise I will try to read -- really read -- both what comes before my eyes and what I type to send on its way.

I think part of the problem these days is that there is so much information available. If we don't skim, we won't get to "read" all the posts and emails. No excuse, of course.

Liz Kelley Kerstens said...

I can just imagine what their genealogy looks like.

Anonymous said...

I've actually had people suggest I simplify my emails-- even though they had previously requested detailed information. Guess 'reading' was too much for them too!

Bribie Family History Association said...

I think we can all relate - the pity is that those who should read it, won't. Just remember, you are not alone!

Teri said...

Thank you.... you took the works right out of my mouth. I'm forever getting emails that read "what newspaper is this from?" "where did you get this article?".... and low and behold, at the even of every article.... is the newspaper the article came from. (No, I just put New York Times 6 Jun 1871 at the end of the article for fun..) I respond back to folks explaining this and telling them where the particular article came from.... and yes. They right back asking the same question. So thank you Cyndi. Now if we could just get them to read!

Unknown said...

As a compulsive reader (and a retired copy editor/proofreader) I read everything and I proofread my posts. Sometimes I misread, but I try not to. Thank you for the rank. I totally agree with you.
And I HOPE that some of the "non-choir" did read this and will learn from it.

DeeDeeTee said...

When I taught ceramic classes, I found that the "students" - adults, did not read either. People skim or glance and do not READ. It is aggravating especially when you are trying to help THEM.

Tishia said...

I also read it! :) Sadly, the ones who should read it won't.

Mr. Dickie said...

Often you don't read and correct the material you "borrow" from the bad posts I make. Whose bad is that, yours or mine?