How To Become A Thief

Summary

The article reflects on the nature of readership and engagement on the platform, with a particular nod to a reader named David Perlmutter, who actively highlights content, contrasting his engagement with the silent departure of other readers.

Abstract

The piece, titled "75 Words And A Joke," discusses the challenges of gauging readership and the value of reader interaction through highlighting, clapping, and commenting. The author uses a metaphor involving a thief to illustrate the uncertainties of knowing if one's work is truly being appreciated, likening the silent exit of most readers to a thief's stealthy departure. The author expresses a desire for more engaged readers, similar to David Perlmutter, whose active engagement is seen as a courtesy that fosters a sense of community and mutual support among writers and readers on the platform.

Opinions

The author values reader engagement, particularly through actions like highlighting, clapping, and commenting.
There is a level of uncertainty and perhaps frustration regarding whether content is being read and appreciated.
The author appreciates David Perlmutter's active engagement with their work, suggesting it is a model for ideal readership behavior.
The metaphor of a thief is used to emphasize the silent and untraceable nature of some readers' departure from the content.
The author encourages a culture of reciprocity, suggesting that readers should engage with content as a matter of good manners.

And highlighting stories

Does anybody read what I write? How do I know if anybody reads my stories? Many come to read but leave quietly They slip away like a thief in the night. But not David Perlmutter. He highlights almost every word. I wish there were more readers like David When somebody highlights or claps or comments. I look at what they write and will often follow them. Leave a calling card. It is just good manners.

Give a thief a gun and he will rob a bank Give a thief a bank and he will rob everyone.