When I first started this blog, I posted almost exclusively cartoons. While I enjoyed drawing them, I have an extra child now, and I just don't have the time to do that, so I've expanded the blog to share some humorous anecdotes and talk about some issues that are meaningful to me in some way. If I didn't do that, there wouldn't be more cartoons--there would simply be fewer posts. But there are some people out there who don't seem to appreciate this shift.
If you want a person to show a particular behavior, there are two ways to encourage them to do so:
1) Give them positive feedback when they show the behavior
2) Give them negative feedback when they don't show the behavior
(Or 3) Do nothing and just hope they'll show the behavior)
I would say that the vast majority of people who want more cartoons have chosen #2 or the secret option #3. A lot of people take it upon themselves to complain about the lack of cartoons when I don't post them. But if I do post a cartoon? Crickets. Often just one or two comments, not even a "funny cartoon, I liked this."
For those of you who have complained about the lack of cartoons but fail to say anything positive when I post one, what is your motivation here? Do you think I owe you? Do you think my entire motivation for posting cartoons should just be to keep people from complaining? No, sorry. Not going to work that way.
If you're worried about the amount of comments a cartoon gets as opposed to a rant then you're missing the point of your own blog. A lot of us originally discovered and loved this blog because of your amazing cartoons. I would be happy to see it updated every couple of weeks even if it meant awesome cartoons were involved. We appreciate them from a distance, but if we're silent it doesn't mean we don't love them still.
ReplyDeleteHmm. I think that of all people, I should know the point of my own blog.
DeleteHere's the thing: I don't get revenue from this blog. The only possible reward and acknowledgement I have that people are in any way enjoying what I'm doing is if they comment. So if I don't get any comments, it's unlikely that I'll see "the point" of continuing.
I do track pageviews of course, but you know what? Even those often decline on cartoon days. Possibly because nobody clicks on them to comment. But it all adds up to the fact that I get zero positive feedback to continue drawing them.
I just want to say that I love your rants. I think I love them even more than your cartoons. I don't often comment because I read things in google reader and I'm too lazy to open things in new window so I can comment, but I did today so that I could tell you to keep the rants coming please! :)
ReplyDeletePS - I'm also doing a PM&R elective right now and I don't think I would have even thought of it if it hadn't been for your blog, and I am having a lot of fun. So thanks for the inspiration for that too!
-Some random med student
Thanks! That's awesome (about the pm&r elective)!
DeleteI love my rants too. I have fun writing them.
Although I do love the cartoons, I actually like your anecdotes concerning the minutiae of life in medicine--especially at the hospital or clinic--just as much, or maybe even more. I think the content and tone of your posts are humorous and I identify with just about every frustration you've expressed (except with regard to children, since I have none).
ReplyDeleteAs an aside, I just matched in neurology, so I'll be working with you folks quite a bit as my career unfolds. Keep the posts coming, cartoons or otherwise! It helps me start my day :-)
I'm a #3 I guess.
ReplyDeleteI like your cartoons a lot, but I do not comment on them (nor on anything). If it helps, I'll try to feed you with more positive thought when you draw one.
(I also like your anecdotes)
-Another random med student
I used to love your cartoons, but they're not as good as they used to be. I prefer your stories. And, you shouldn't be offended. Coming up with good cartoons each week is probably hard. But, writing comes much easier.
ReplyDeleteSo basically, what you're saying is that you're doing cartoons... part time.
ReplyDeleteBadum-cha :)
HAHAHA
DeleteI love your cartoons AND your rants.
ReplyDeleteI suck at commenting, ever. But I prefer the anecdotes and stories :D Keep writing or drawing as long as it makes you happy. Quality is what I love reading, and you write and doodle best when you're having fun.
ReplyDeleteI was hoping this would be a cartoon
ReplyDeleteI was expecting Doc McStuffins
ReplyDeleteKeep the rants coming Fizzy!!
ReplyDeleteI like the rants even more that the cartoons!!
I think, your writing style is addicting!