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One Reason All Writers Should Engage

No-one is above criticism

Andy Taylor
Mar 27, 2021

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There’s an argument that as a “successful writer” on Medium you shouldn’t engage with negative comments, you should rise above them and never respond.

But isn’t all feedback useful? Even if you don’t like it. If you only engage with people who like or agree with you, don’t you end up in an echo chamber? Even behind the most angrily expressed point, there could be a useful insight.

I’m not saying respond to all negative comments. But, a blanket ban on engagement on anything negative — isn’t that extreme and negative in itself? Is “I don’t agree with you” negative? Too negative to be worthy of engagement?

Is it OK to think that your article is valid of engagement (worth a read, worth a comment, worth money going to the writer) but a reader’s comment isn’t?

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Andy Taylor
Andy Taylor

Written by Andy Taylor

I want to learn. I try to grow. I’d love to help.

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