What America Reads - Organic Versus Synthetic

I just completed a year of writing at Associated Content (AC) and as I look at the articles that have had the most views I'm a bit astounded. I've written mostly political observations and commentary, but have also written about medical advances, interesting web sites and a product or television review or two. So what is the subject that attracts the most amount of page views? Duracell versus Energizer batteries is the leader by thousands.

I wrote on that topic because AC offered a bit of a bonus for writing product reviews and the story is more about a life experience than Duracell or Energizer. However, AC knows what America reads - I had to find out on my own. Of course, those who write for a living already know what it took me a year to learn. I could change my approach to writing to capture more page views and consequently more money, but money is not necessarily the motivator. I write simply for the pleasure of expressing my views in a "venting" sort of way. It also helps me to question my own thinking as well as to solidify my opinions - as if they mattered in a world full of it - hmmm a bit of a pun there. Perhaps I am the one that is full! Perhaps I should get a self-help book on writing.

Anyway, the subject is what America reads. Seems to me (I could be wrong), Americans want to know more about stuff - things you can put your hands on, objects that have some weight, size and bulk to them. Political commentary is like jello or the weather. It is subject to change quickly and if you want to examine it real closely, you might end up with a sticky mess.

The interesting aspect of knowing more about stuff than politics may be that one might invest time and money in batteries, knitting, making home improvements or any of the myriad of projects that receive more attention than political events, but politics in the end might cost one more.

Taxes, religion, morality, customs, health issues, social programs, economic policies, relationships with other countries and educational objectives to name a few are all deeply affected or perhaps infected by government. Reward and punishment are the tools government uses to control the citizenry. Government necessarily taxes us, but offers us a monetary break if we buy a house, so we buy houses. We might have rented without a government incentive. Government states that we must wear a seat belt, else be fined - we wear a seat belt. A red light means stop early in the morning even when no traffic can be seen for miles. Some government rules, incentives and punishments are well constructed and meaningful, others would seek to constrain and inhibit rather than promote freedom. Seems there is much to know about what government proposes and how they operate.

So, should we read more about government or learn more about knitting and batteries? Associated Content and the preponderance of writers seem to know. As for me, I'll be writing about the advantages of organic fertilizers over synthetic chemical fertilizers - ought'a be a lot of page views there and it should compliment political commentary very nicely. Organic fertilizers produce strong roots and are best over the long term, but synthetic chemicals produce a quick and magnificent green although subjecting the grass to attacks from insects and disease. Are there organic or synthetic politicians? Is there fertilizer for the mind?

I had a number of chuckles while composing this essay. I hope that the few who read it will enjoy it as much as I did composing it. I'm certainly not implying that one should read my political commentary as opposed to someones else's informative home improvement article. Nevertheless I was struck by the enormous differences between page views. Ego will not allow me to consider that my writing about Energizer and Duracell is better than my probable shallow insights into political events, but I am reevaluating.

I wish all those visiting here the very best,

Clark