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

[Jack...]

Personally, I don't pay much attention to the Popular Writers page as I didn't to Top Writers when it was around, but I know many people who do. I also don't pay attention to my Rate Score because to be honest, I have know idea why I should. I write my stuff in hopes that people read it and like it, I send out RR's because I want to share and enjoy hearing what people say about my work and I do my best to read every RR I receive. The way I look at it, if I was being paid to reach the top writers spot or top reviewers spot or paid based on my rating score, then by all means I would monitor those pages and do my best to be on them or up there in rating score, but I am not, so I don't really concern myself with it. My payment comes from people, friends I have made reading my poetry and sharing thiers with me.

Now please understand, I am not saying it is wrong to monitor this stuff, to each his own, but I am going to read a Baby Ricochet poem or a Robbie poem or many other's whether they are on the most popular list or not and if they have a rating score of 10 or 100 is not going to steer me away or towards them.

I like who I like and I meet new poets everyday that I like. I guess what I am really trying to say is, I have my own popular writers list and it grows everyday and if you have one too, I hope I am on it.

[Baby Ricochet]

Of course you're on it Jack. You're the WC romantic bard. This site needs you

[icelandicblue]

Popularity and quality don't always occupy the same space, but sometimes they do. I like Ogden Nash and he wrote some funny poetry. Most of the popular poetry is entertaining so the site has determined popular poetry that entertains is the poetry to read. Poetry is also subjective (take James Joyce for instance) but laughter is universal. It's ok we all know who has real talent on this site and popular or not popular we are all better for it! That doesn't mean the popular poets aren't talented because they have chosen humor as their themes. It's the list that is flawed as most top 10 lists are.

[Baby Ricochet]

That's for sure. Thank you Blue

[Angi]

When it comes down to the nitty gritty, I (most importantly) remember things that interest me. I like pieces that are relatable. I like pieces that make me see things in a new way. I like writings that have aha moments sprinkled throughout. We are all different and what excites you may make me yawn. The 'best writer' thing is always in the eye of the reader. Always. Angi~

[Baby Ricochet]

That's for sure. Thank you Angi

[Emily B]

number of read requests sent may be a contributing factor into the popular writing phenomena :)

just saying

[Baby Ricochet]

Could be. Thank you Emily

[Tai Ryens]

We should start grading popularity by the amount of characters in the reviews left behind, as the most intellectually stimulating poems do seem to always have long reviews from other writers attached to them. Just my two cents.

[Baby Ricochet]

That does seem to be a trend. Thanks Tai

[Keith]

Whoever floats my boat ....and it won't be Shakespeare or Joyce.

[Baby Ricochet]

I hear that, I've tried. Thank you Keith

[Nia Hope]

*innner cranium explosion* totally mind blown!!

[Baby Ricochet]

LOL, Thank you Ankara

[Will]

Couldn't agree more, my friend

[Baby Ricochet]

Thank you Will

[Dye]

Writing is art, and art is subject to opinion. I read for entertainment, to be brought somewhere else, be it laughter or tears. Books that cause literary orgasm for me are not ones that are well written but rather ones that are written well enough to keep my attention. Good question though.

[Baby Ricochet]

Good insight. Thank you Dye