[alwa]

It strikes me as a little disappointing the way commenters seem to think they know you, and seem to respond to your thoughtful work by picking at you personally.

From the root comment that speculates about your existential happiness (he chose a partner and kids instead, and is happier that way than whatever he assumes your life is like!), to the gp comment that passes judgment on your intentions in writing at all.

I’m not really sure what to make of that, but that kind of behavior is the reason I keep my writing to myself (and specific people I email directly) and never share it. I don’t have the patience to deal with the uninvited judgment, and I worry that I’d respond to the unjustified demands by internalizing them.

My life is richer as a result of you being able and willing to deal with all this, and sharing what stimulated you this year. If I didn’t like it, I’d go read something else and politely abstain from judgment. As it happens, I liked it very much, and I did not go read something else. Thank you.

Thank you for that, thank you for not letting various ancillary grumps dissuade you, and a healthy and stimulating and prosperous new year to you!

[fellowniusmonk]

The comments are so often people just telling on themselves, it's really wild to see. I'm glad people still create in spite of this instead of letting misanthropic "tastemakers" get their way, the creators are literally increasing the amount of meaning in the world and that is valuable.