THE ‘CLAPPER’ — CLAP ON …

What’s Not to Like?

It’s Jonathan Swift with a twist

I don’t get it.

As of this writing, over a hundred people have viewed my revision of Swift’s famous satirical story “A Modest Proposal.”

Four intrepid viewers actually read my story, and so far three people have clapped for it. They’ve clapped vigorously, as though they were clapping for their very lives, but still, only three people clapped.

I don’t get it.

I do get the dramatic disconnect between viewer and reader numbers. My story is long, since it parallels Swift’s lengthy work, although some his ideas have been modernized and his theme has been turned about somewhat. It’s also convoluted, as was Swift’s original work. So, it’s hard to hang with and become readers in the Medium sense.

What I don’t get is the “clap-less” nature of the viewers’ responses. Even if one reads only the first ‘graph its basically pure Swift. What’s not to like? The original “A Modest Proposal” is quite possibly the most famous piece of satire in the English language. Sure, I threw in an “AF” and some other modern terms in my version to make it relatable, but it’s still Swift.

Clap for that if for nothing else.

So, I’m going to throw down this challenge.

If you’ve viewed this little dingleberry of a story of mine, but didn’t clap, please go back and give it a second chance and at least consider clapping. Don’t read, just clap reflexively, joyously, as though you’ve just scored the tastiest morsel from the free food guy at Costco. Or whatever brings you to the very edge of joy. Maybe pretend you’re Swift himself and you realize that the Rogaine is producing results.

In the words of another famous person from across the pond …

“Will the people in the cheaper seats clap your hands. And the rest of you, if you’ll just rattle your jewelry.” — John Lennon

It’ll do Swift some good.