Thoughts on the popular reading list

I don't feel like editing this.

It's been said that the WC'S most talented writer's never make it to the top of the popular reading list. While on the surface this argument seems rather preposterous it may well contain some validity. The list is an algorithm measuring views and reviews over x amount of time. How many on site friends a writer has and how many reviews they have made of other writers has an influence over a piece success/ failure on the list. The other factor, and in my mind the most significant is entertainment value. For a piece to be entertaining it has to be relatable to the reader. As I write this the current #1 is "A*s Hat by Robbie." It's a cute, funny poem written by the sexiest writer on this site on a subject everyone can relate to. The last #1 I had was Dream girl Tanka. I have to admit I was a bit baffled by that one. It was a slightly lewd Tanka I whipped out in about 90 seconds but it was funny therefore it had high entertainment value. Entertainment value doesn't always mean light fluff. PoppySilver has had some recent #1s that were out and out gut wrenching. So has Girl Friday. After I read those pieces besides being impressed with how good they were I thought "Okay women's issues poetry is in now so my hyper masculine tirades are out." Then I scored a #1 with "Slaughterhouse Dreams. A violent, metaphorical piece about being trapped in a low wage job. It was easily relatable so it had high entertainment value.

    Okay so by now you must be wondering "What Point is Ricochet getting at this time?" We don't live in a world of literary classics or bards reciting poetry to blushing girls on the banks of the Thames river. We live in a world of "fifty shades of gray" and crappy hip hop being sold to teenagers who wouldn't know great poetry if it kicked them in the gonads and this site really isn't any different. People want to be entertained. Obviously that means different things to different people but it's an important point to the "the best writers don't get the recognition on the WC they deserve" argument. Literary brilliance doesn't always translate into entertainment. I've been trying to read "Portrait of An Artist as a Young Man" by James Joyce for a couple of years now. Some literary critics have postulated Portrait of an artist to be the most important piece of literature ever written and honestly, the bloody thing gives me a headache and I use it to kill roaches now. Yes I can here the gasps of horror from some of you and yes, I am a philistine. For entertainment value I can burn through a John Grisham novel in a weekend. Literarily brilliant James Joyce may be but entertaining he is not while Grisham is easily readable though hardly profound. So who is the best writer? Someone who is literarily brilliant or someone who can spin a damn good story people can relate to?

Author's Note

Just my opinion boys and girls. Feel free to post whatever you think

Reviews

[Pax]

Entertainment value - that is why games, tv and other entertaining vises are a sure hit from the economy. So I would not wonder it will gain more attention.

But as I observed the popular list, I think you forgot to see that most people who reached number one are those who has a solid fan base or solid readers of their RR(read request). And there is also a number of talented writers who turned off their ratings, so definitely they will not reach the top spot.

I for one often times go to the popular reading list. I turned on my rating because in that way I can gain reads for a possible feedback on which I can learned from(so it’s not always for popularity), and sometimes when I turned it off the read is less but I really don’t care when it talks about personal objectives(too emotional & too personal). I also turned off my RR as well as I don’t send one, in that way I can’t be on the top spot… but I did achieved it before, perhaps it was just luck or perhaps I reviewed plenty of users at that time… now I don’t have much time for that, I am only here to express my creativity and emotional pondering – nothing more, nothing less… when you reviewed me it’s great, if not it’s also great… as long as I have this outlet, I’ll never get lost in my emotional pondering… so just write if you must, keep improving yourself…

Popularity gets through your skin, it's normal we are all humans.... it only depends on where you stand in for who you really are... there are more things to life, than focusing on one road.

Likes and dislikes varies on person to person, so we don’t have a valid or stronger point on which is the best piece or not, it may be best for us and for other it isn’t… so perhaps only a balance viewpoint is taken to light…

this is just my thoughts my friend...
a thought-provoking piece you have here...

[shallimarRose]

I agree with here... You have opened up a great debate for discussion here Ric.. xo

[Baby Ricochet]

Good insights. Thank you MR pax

[Tate Morgan]

Therin lies the reason that Twain was so popular.He too used wit in his work.It pokes fun at us and he laughs with us. This is where you belong and we are proud to have you.

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you sir

[Raya]

I think there is difference between the best writers/thinkers and the best storytellers. Honestly I believe the thinkers get screwed over in the moment, but the storytellers get screwed over in the end. Thinkers may not be recognized in the moment but eventually are. However very few storytellers are remembered and preserved. Just my 2 cents.

[Baby Ricochet]

Good insights raya

[asdarkeyesclose]

my honest opinion on this is you get back what you put in. if you make a lot of reviews you will eventually get to the top as people will return the favour, i think it has nothing to do with the quality of the work as i generally see poor quality writing at the top. (no offence to you i'm just speaking in general) a lot of writers here will review anything and say its good even when it isn't. there are more discerning people about and i don't think they care about popularity or number of reviews. i just prefered the old system where it didn't just give the top few as there was normally some good poetry there somewhere towards the top and it was a good place to discover new writing. interesting view point though :)

[Baby Ricochet]

Good insights. Thank you ghost

[Thomas Fitzgerald]

Well it seem to me in the grand scheme of things, the popular list on WC is hardly important when it comes to what we read on here, we have the luxury of reading who we want and reviewing at will, we're not in a classroom here. I mean take me for instance, I've written some fairly good poetry, and some dismal prose, and I don't think I've ever made the popular list! and that's fine, I just like when people read me. However as for the James Joyce argument, BR! Great literature comes from those that pour there blood sweat and tears into their work and we can say with certainty that Joyce did that, however lets face it his works need full attention and your like me, I find it hard to get through, try Brendan Behan my darling!

[Baby Ricochet]

LOL! I know James Joyce was a literary giant. Mark Suggested I take a crack at Dubliners. He said it was easier to read. I've read Sickness unto death and fear and loathing by Soren Kirkagaard. Why I didn't stop at one I don't know. He was a lot for me to chew on. That was for damn sure

[Coyote Poetry]

Easy to become number one on the reading list. Send out a lot of read requests. I don't send out read request anymore. I hope people read my work because they desire to. I don't get excited over number one. I'm honored when people read my work and give me a comment. If you write for glory and to be famous. Good for you. You must sell yourself. Few writers are living off the income of writing. I look at the top list sometime. Could be a poem I need to read. Life is hard enough. Don't concern yourself with the small things.
Coyote

[Baby Ricochet]

Good insights. Thank you Coyote

[shallimarRose]

You bring up some very good points Ric... I never even looked at the popular writing until I saw this post.. I think it's a more of a popularity contest, in a way. If you have more friends you get more hits.. The more your poem is commented on the more it comes up in the stream the more it is hit again continuing on... There are so many different categories of writing here at the cafe and i think the top writing is just chance in a lot of ways. Today I am #2 right behind you. I am blown away by that... I think its just by chance that my poem The Artist was more in the lime light.. Definitely the seasoned poet you would think would be on top... I do believe as you say a lot of it is entertainment value..
Different people like different things.. Some read only stories, some read only or mostly poetry, some dont read rhyme, some like only rhyme, some only free-verse, some like erotica some won't read and are offended by erotica... and you could go on forever, politics, religion...

I never paid attention to the "most popular" because i could care less if i am there or not.. I write what comes from my heart.. some love it some pick it apart.. I am a poet.. I was born a poet I believe because I was rhyming by the time I could talk... If others like what I have to say I feel honored if they don't then that is ok too... just my thoughts .. Thank you for a very thought provoking post.. shallimar

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you for your input Rose. I appreciate it

[shallimarRose]

any time Ric.. xo

[Annabelle Lee]

Erm. Devil's advocate, you are.

[Baby Ricochet]

I do try. Thank you Annabelle

[Robbie~xoxo~]

Speaking of #1... looks like you are the man today! ;D

I don't generally look at the popular writes, unless someone points it out.... truth be told, it does feel nice, but it's a momentary high...anyone can be next in a heartbeat! There's a timed rotation in the popular writes.

I just enjoy writing, reading, learning, and bonding with other writers here...
Entertainment is not a bad thing...besides, I love reading you parodies and sarcasm (maybe people wish the could have said what you express)...sometimes people just want to laugh or feel something that they can relate to. Must be embedded in the human DNA, you know. ;)

Well penned, my friend! :)

[Baby Ricochet]

Robbie yours is the best commentary thus far. Thank you

[Eddie Phillips]

Splendiferous as ever my brother!

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Eddie