Why So Serious?

I guess I just don't get it. Either that or I never stopped to read the memo. Call me naive, but I've just always appreciated the entire concept of giving and receiving without reward, with a special place in my heart for random acts of kindness, which so often are the most generous acts of all.

And yet I have to wonder, when did everything become so serious?

There seems to be a good deal of discussion lately on blogs, newsletters, and writer sites I regularly visit as to those offending fools guilty of trouncing etiquette by attempting to promote oneself on various social networks --  whether it be dropping a trail of links to their blog like breadcrumbs strewn across the internet, requesting/suggesting a visit to a new book page on facebook, or posting a link for their book trailer. Just another instance of putting oneself out there with the crossed-fingers-hope that some kindhearted entity will take a moment to peek, offer an opinion, or - the holy grail - click the "like" button. 

Apparently, and this is where my innocence raises it's perpetually naive head, (honestly, but I had no idea!)  such suggestions are not only rude, but completely unacceptable. it seems that this "solicitation of favors", roughly translated, is about people asking for stuff, but offering nothing in return. Aka, If I click this button for you, than what's the payout for me?

I want to think the reward for such selfless acts are warm and fuzzy feelings, but I'm pretty sure from my reading across the internet, that that's the wrong answer.

Huh?  Really?  Just what is it that's going on here? 

For starters, I am a member of several online writing communities. One would assume it's all good; receive and offer support, learn or re-learn something beneficial to my writing life or life in general. And certainly there's that invaluable hand-holding-leg-boosting-moral-support. For me it's writing, but for you it can be any fill-in-the-blank dream or obsession. The pursuit of one's hearts desire is often a wholly exhausting uphill climb.  Sharing the experience with others on the same ride ranges from very nice to absolutely wonderful. We certainly have a lot to offer each other. At least, that's what I've always thought.

And thus arises the question of whether we really need some comparable payback just
to check out someone's blog post, leave a book review, "Like" a Youtube video, read a new author interview. Are we really so highfallootin' and self-important? I truly adore the
concept of doing something supportive or nice for no reasoning other then "Just because."
What's more, as a community of oft struggling artists it strikes me as just a very cool thing to do. A gift to the random passenger
riding along in the same boat -- on the chance that a thumbs-up of support and encouragement might somehow help to make an enormous difference in someones life.

What a concept. Relatively painless, thoughtful, and kind.

And oh yeah,
it's free.