Why I email complete strangers(goodinternetmagazine.com) |
Why I email complete strangers(goodinternetmagazine.com) |
As a result, I make it a point to send notes to anyone if I’ve enjoyed their work, because I know how much its meant to me, that I hope to pass along those kind, appreciate feelings.
It is really something and I'm very grateful for their emails.
Even a simple email like "I really like the design of your website/blog" will make their day.
So when someone tells me they like my blog, i’m afraid to respond because they’ll just pitch me in response
I hope this feature of the internet is protected.
I've had deep technical exchanges with smart people all across the world I would've never met otherwise. I've seen people using my tool for completely insane projects successfully. I've even had a data scientist from India who was inspired and motivated by my story of presenting at ACM 2025 as a hobbyist to put his work out there.
Interacting with all these people has broadened my horizons - literally going halfway across the globe in one instance. All of that happened despite me being an introvert, who hates initiating any form of social interactions with people and sounds like a raving lunatic on my blog.
Maybe I should be the one to send out more emails...
1. clarification on something in particular that they have already published
2. engage in genuine discussion about adjacent topics in which their opinion is specifically relevant
3. expressions of appreciation
4. corrections of information to prevent genuine harm or significant frustration for others
My success rate is probably 50-75% but I only do it a few times per year.
Cold-calling to get people try try your new app or answer a survey is rude.
I would estimate communication is 95% non verbal and 5% verbal. The problem with online interaction is you are limited to this 5% while interacting with an almost infinite number of social groups and people.
Learning how to adapt to online socialization is learning how to adapt to being blind. Only you aren't blind, you are choosing to wear a blindfold.
Maybe it's because I feel like I don't have all the right answers, or that it might be an uphill battle for me in some way, or I'm afraid of making a lasting connection (and the combination of burden and joy that this brings), or I'm instead afraid of missing a connection despite putting effort into it. Perhaps it is all of those things together or something else entirely.
Whatever it is, I know one thing for sure: Inaction has a deterministic outcome.
So when I do nothing, then nothing happens. Nothing is gained, nothing is lost, and nothing is spent.
And maybe that's not an optimal outcome, but it's at least a predictable outcome -- and that alone seems to serve to resolve whatever unwelcome feelings of anxiety I might otherwise experience.
RSA129 - I have a color copy of the prize check. I asked how many he sent out.
Or it gets filtered as spam. very common
No.
Maybe I'll have Claude send him a thank you.
Any time. ;)
Yeah, could be that the Mods are just really busy.