If you’re a “numbers” person, the subtext of this question probably runs along the lines of

“How many people are reading?”

“How many page views?”

“Number of unique visitors?”

Normally, on social media, we can get a sense of people’s “reaction” based on the number of thumbs-ups or little red hearts that accrue (or don’t) on the post itself.

Several of you have said to me, “There must be more people reading your posts than liking your posts.”

This is true: every post with zero likes has gotten more than zero reads.

You may find it troubling, as I do, that some people have said to me, often in a whisper, “I would like your posts, but I can’t.”

Each time I’ve heard this, I’ve asked, with genuine curiosity, “Oh, why can’t you?”

As one might guess, individual answers have varied, but the underlying reason seems to be fear-based.

It seems we live in the sort of town where people believe—out of fear—that they “can’t” like an idea.

All of my posts have largely been idea-centric: Poverty is fixable. Greed is wrong. Loyalties should mean something.

If you are the sort of person who harbors animosity toward me and uses this as your reason for ignoring the fact that there is a way to significantly help the poor who live right here in town with us, I ask that you focus on the ideas—poverty is fixable and greed is wrong and loyalties should mean something

Self-actualized, independent thinkers know it is safe to “like” an idea and—at the same time—not “like” the person sharing it.

Here’s a quote that expresses an idea:

Mankind is divided into rich and poor, into property owners and exploited; and to abstract oneself from this fundamental division; and from the antagonism between poor and rich means abstracting oneself from fundamental facts.

As you might suspect, this is the sort of idea that I can get behind.

The premise is readily observable: rich and poor exist. And I agree with quote’s position that it if you try to remove yourself from this equation, i.e., if you ignore the divide, you’re only deluding yourself to the reality that the divide exists and is the source of much pain (animosity).

That quote aligns with my experience of the world. And so, I support the idea expressed by the quote.

If it had been someone’s Facebook status update, doubtlessly, I would’ve liked it. In fact, I probably would click on the red heart to show my love for this idea.

Can you guess who said it?

Joseph Stalin, aka, the first name that came up when I googled “bad people in history.”

But that’s the beauty of being a thinking being (me/you) with the capacity to reflect on the thoughts of other thinking beings (Stalin/me).

I can support Stalin’s idea on the divide between rich and poor, and at the same time maintain the position that Stalin was a “bad person in history.”

We can all choose to separate ideas from their thinkers.

You can agree that abolishing poverty in Littleton is a “good idea,” and still regard me however you wish. (Note: I’m curious if Mike will ever suggest a time to meet up for coffee.)

As for what’s been the “reaction” as per the numbers (page views, blog hits), what matters more, I think, is not the count but rather your reaction and what you might choose to do with the ideas I have shared and promoted thus far.

In my opinion, there is nothing more important in this world than the exchange of ideas.

For those of you who have shared your reactions to my ideas with me, I thank you for taking the time to do so.

It is deeply appreciated,
Jenna

P.S. This is the link to yesterday’s post: https://jennabrownson.com/2023/12/21/your-origin-story-chuck/