Approval

[Watson]

Yeah. Kind of like goodreads.

[Reshma]

I enjoyed the book, it so talks of the world today.

[Pamela]

It was a great read and a little uncomfortable too because of things like how she obsessed about her approval rating. I hadn't noticed it that much on this site but I think there are a lot of people who add a lot of friends which can be a form of that as well. Now Facebook ....

[Pamela]

I thought it was a good book precisely because of how close it seemed to get to how we behave in society today. Made me a bit uncomfortable as well. While I notice that writers get approval on Goodreads, I haven't noticed readers (perhaps reviews though, haven't noticed) unless you are looking at followers and friends. But think about Facebook ...

There also how everyone seems to be on their computers, iPads, iPhones, etc. -- when do they work? But I think there are many of us who seem to do this as well. I've always thought it was a form of insecurity ...

[Robin]

I thought the book was very far fetched and an updated version of 1984. It was not at all believable nor an engrossing read. The characters were so one dimentional and boring.

[Watson]

Gargoyle wrote: "Watson wrote: "Yeah. Kind of like goodreads."

Is it? I suppose so. I haven't been on Good Reads very long but it seems a terrific site."

I too like Goodreads. What I'm saying is we seek sites like this one and other social media to get affirmation or, as you titled this thread, "approval." Sure there aren't like buttons on Goodreads (yet), but there are ratings for books and discussion boards where we can engage in approval seeking behavior. It's also interesting that this site connects with Facebook and allows updates to be made public to showcase our accomplishments, as though reading a book merits public approval. It's just weird.

[Pamela]

I will agree with that, Watson. It threw me off when it first started happening, especially when its "so and so has made progress on …." I stopped putting anything up until I've finished a book.

[Hannah]

Personally I hated it when Goodreads would update my facebook until I eventually noticed the button to stop it from happening. I really just use it to keep a track for myself as I find the statistics at the end of the year interesting. It also helps me get through the backlog of new books slightly more easily as I have a goal.

As for the discussions board, I just find it very interesting to discuss with other people what they thought and how their ideas may differ from mine. Or as in the case of the Luminaries, I needed some help in working out some of the more obscure details.

However I do know people who, after posting something to facebook, will remove whatever it was if it doesn't get likes/comments within 10 minutes.

[Kelly]

I don't share my goodreads feed with facebook and while I like discussing books I mostly use goodreads as a way to track what I want to read next and keep track of what I've already read so I know which books I want to buy or re-checkout.

[Charles]

Gargoyle wrote: "I often feel people go on the net to obtain quick approval from others.

I found it funny that Mae received a 97% approval rating from Circle members and then proceeded to worry herself about the..."

That was the most realistic part of the book. If your boss is telling you to worry about that 3% than its makes since for you to worry about it. What I found funny about Mae was how, early on, she never really questioned or opposed ‘The Circle’ prodding into her private life and even willingly relinquished it.

[Charles]

Robin wrote: "I thought the book was very far fetched and an updated version of 1984. It was not at all believable nor an engrossing read. The characters were so one dimentional and boring."

I couldn't agree with you more. There were three type of characters in the book; those who believed ‘The Circle’ and its beliefs could do no wrong, those who opposed ‘The Circle’ and technology in general, and Kalden (a tech/internet genius with full access on a tech/internet campus) somehow couldn’t do anything without Mae’s help.