79 Good Reasons to Read Epinions
May 25 '00
If you’re a manager, you’ve been told, “You get what you praise.”
If you’re a parent, you’ve been told, “Praise is more effective than criticism in changing behavior.”
This year, my New Year’s resolution was to compliment or praise someone every single day. I did not allow myself to include my husband or my son in this count because that would be TOO easy. It sounds like a wimpy New Year’s resolution, doesn’t it? Some of you are probably already making faces and thinking such unpleasant words/phrases as “flatterer,” “suck-up” or “brown-noser” or other less kind adjectives.
It is not easy to compliment people, because we are generally suspicious of compliments. We think people are complimenting us only to get something out of us. I sometimes tell the people that I’m complimenting that they are just my daily victim, so they have to shut up and take it. We’re taught many ways to be polite, but rarely are we taught to accept compliments. And yet, we often become proficient at giving criticisms. Mind, I think criticism can be very useful. Indeed, I think more of us are able to respond appropriately to constructive criticism than we are to praise.
So what does all that rambling have to do with Epinions and this category? Lately, I have been reading epinions that have as their sole purpose the criticism of other members. Indeed, some people have taken to publishing their WOD and trying to persuade others to distrust those people.
While I don’t approve, I have found it inspiring. So here, in my 100th epinion on this site, I’m going to break my own guidelines. I’m posting in the Community Center and I’m naming other user names without first getting their permission. There are those of you who automatically NR a review that uses other member names without permission. I respect that. You may want to go right now and give this review an NR. But after you have, I ask that you please come back and read the rest of this epinion. (Oh, and I won’t think any worse of you for your rating or take any sort of retaliation. I respect your integrity.)
There will be other people who think that is written for purely marketing reasons: that I’m listing people’s names in an attempt to get more attention or hits. I can also respect that thinking even while believing you to be wrong. I can only assure you that every word written below is meant sincerely.
This is by no means a complete list of all the wonderful people I have come into contact with at this great site, so please do not feel slighted if you are left out.
Here’s Why I Trust These Folks
forkids: Beth is one of the hardest-working writers around. She packs her children’s reviews and gardening reviews with useful information. She tries to improve the categories she’s active in so that the rest of us will have a better experience.
ctinhan: Ctinhan writes such clear, common-sense kid & family reviews. Check out her recent baby food reviews. She even lists the different types of baby foods available—and starts out the review with a disclaimer that parents should always consult their doctors before choosing a food.
jnbmoore: Bridgette is constantly encouraging other writers. She leaves wonderful comments that always make me smile. She’s also a fellow VeggieTale fan. Plus, she has a great name and even spells it right. ;)
GwenK: I love this woman’s writing. I hope I never talk to her on the phone, ‘cause I’ve already determined what her voice sounds like. She is a wonderful writer with a great sense of humor.
Jkportland: I always feel like I can relate to Jennifer. She always writes on topics that I’m interested in and while I have no way to prove it, I feel as though we have similar perspectives on life.
Kurt_h: Kurt writes some great science fiction book reviews. They’re fun to read, except he’s making my “to-read” list horribly long. He also has some really good wine and beer reviews.
Redlord: I could write an entire epinion about this man. In fact, I have. I wrote all about what a great father he is to our child. And yes, he has a place on my WOT even though he’s only written two reviews. If I can’t trust my husband, life partner, and soulmate, who could I trust?
Fdknight: Doug writes incredibly good musical reviews. As a fan of showtunes, I’m constantly checking his profile page to see if he’s written more. He’s also one of the few people I set comments alerts for because he is so reasonable and supportive—even when he disagrees. I can always count on him to direct me toward other good reviews. I don’t always agree with his assessments (nor he with mine), but I’m always enlightened by them.
Hought20: Shelly’s just a cool, kind, and wonderful woman. She’s intelligent without the slightest bit of pretension. She’s witty, charming, and beautiful and I’m pleased that I can call her a friend offline as well as on.
Ritag: Here is a woman who is willing to donate all of her hard-earned eroyalties to her workplace. She recently posted she has now placed an order for a computer for her pre-school class from her earnings here and is donating the rest of the eroyalties toward software, a printer, and other supplies. I applaud her hard work and enjoy the informed toy reviews.
Trawma: Trawma is one of those people who has a good sense of right and wrong and is very articulate and eloquent in her attempts to persuade others. I appreciate how her editorials make me think.
Kurt_Messick: Fr. Kurt is an intelligent, articulate, and interesting writer. He writes about topics few others would approach and he does so in a scholarly, yet accessible manner. He is a promoter of tolerance and decency.
Millymac: She is constantly reminding me of books, movies, and toys that have brought me pleasure and enjoyment in the past. I appreciate the reminders to smile at them again.
Dr_Steph: Dr. Steph writes really intelligent reviews that are helpful and useful. She also wrote a very encouraging comment on my husband’s first-ever epinion and I’m a big fan of anyone who recognizes his worth and talent!
KristenNC: Here is another woman who just has a wonderful writing style. She can make anything seem interesting and very often does. She writes like the kind of person I’d love to have over for dinner.
Esther4kids: She’s just plain funny. I get smiles just looking at her titles, and her reviews never fail to disappoint. She is self-deprecating in a sweetly funny manner.
Erin5oaks: This woman devotes a lot of time to the site. She consistently contributes a great deal of reviews (on topics I happen to be interested in), rates a lot and comments a lot.
BlackBear: This man has a great science fiction and fantasy library and has been prolific about sharing it with us. If you want to read reviews on anything Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote—be it Tarzan or John Carter of Mars—this man’s profile is the place you should start.
Mgreber: I know when I click on a review written by mgreber, it’s going to be a high quality one and an enjoyable read. He is well-organized, has a friendly writing style, and is bitingly honest where necessary. I’ve especially enjoyed his magazine and movie reviews.
Jcare: He writes very to-the-point reviews with practical advice. They often make me think from a different perspective. Other times, I think “Oh, that’s common sense”—but it’s common sense I hadn’t thought of before.
Rosabelle: She makes me smile. She has a charming sense of humor that I really enjoy.
IrishMa4: The expertise and thoroughness brought to IrishMa’s reviews never fail to inform and help me. She also leaves wonderfully encouraging comments that never fail to make me smile.
Jenb123: I can count on Jen to direct me toward good toy options for my 2-year-old, and away from the lemons. She’s even given me some new ways to play with my son.
Kristenlov: She writes wonderfully practical, straight-forward reviews. I love reading about her family.
Jenscookie: My son can thank Jenscookie that his library consists of something other than all Dr. Seuss books. She writes some highly informative children’s book reviews.
Pracowity: Ah, a man who writes about Beowulf for Mother’s Day and Sir Gawain and Dante just for fun is sure to touch my heart. Especially when his reviews are as accessible as Pracowity’s are.
Bonzobean: I’m immediately predisposed to someone who calls themselves a silly mommy. And her reviews make me feel homey and warm. I feel as though she’s someone I could trust if I met her off-line.
Amyann16: Need a good book to read? Visit Amyann16 and check out her recommendations. She writes very helpful book reviews.
Grouch: Passion. It’s plastered all over his outstanding reviews. He really is a wonderful writing and I go to read him when I’m trying to get inspired.
AlexG: I may never get to be a world traveler, but at least I’ve gotten to experience them viscerally through Alex’s reviews. He writes fantastic reviews of some really interesting places.
Counsel: This Texan gentleman is delightfully civil and intelligent. He fosters relationships within the community and is extremely supportive and filled with integrity. I greatly respect the work that he does here and in his affiliate site.
Fostrmom2mny: She’s had 38 children and STILL finds time to write for epinions. I’m in awe. Simply in awe.
Chuck_Hansen: If his lists of his favorite books, movies, and television shows hadn’t alerted me that here was someone whose reviews I liked, the first couple book reviews I read would have. He hasn’t written for a while, but I keep seeing him rate things, so I believe he’s still here.
Susiee: Susiee was the first person to ever trust me and for that I am grateful. Fortunately, she writes such interesting and informative reviews that putting her on my WOT was not at all an act of gratitude.
Prepoia: A fellow MSU fan and a great writer. Do I need to say more? OK. One thing more: Her comments are always very encouraging.
DanneC: Not only are her travel reviews good, but she includes a lot of fascinating and interesting history. I learn something with every review I read.
Lambira: She’s hilarious. Although I usually rely on e-mail alerts to keep up with epinions, she’s someone whose profile page I always visit because her “about me” information is so hilarious. Her reviews carry that same sense of humor.
CwrnPuppet: Here is a man who is creative, original, and who has strong opinions. Nothing this man writes is a rehash of any other opinion. Go read this man’s writing and be prepared to be discomfited, to be shocked, and to think.
Tomgray: Here is yet another excellent book reviewer. He does excellent analyses of the books he reads and then summarizes each one with his own rating system at the end. Quite informative and helpful.
The_Wood: I don’t often go to movies, but I like to stay somewhat culturally literate about what is showing. This man helps me do that by writing interesting, to-the-point movie reviews that tell me what I’m missing.
Nollequeen: Her eclectic tastes appeal to me. She writes very thorough reviews with fascinating details.
Ynmaeven: Her honest rating encouraged me to turn a critical eye toward my own reviews and look for ways to improve them. She was a big help in making my contributions here more useful.
Cmuir: Informative and friendly are two adjectives that apply to everything Cindi writes. Lately, she’s been writing some fantastic reviews in the wine and spirits category. They’ll make you thirsty reading them.
MARIEROY: She’s definitely one of the top book reviewers. Her reviews are helpful, interesting, and contain great recommendations.
Margomargo: She writes with a great conversational style and has a quirky sense of humor (which is meant as a compliment, by the way). I’ve heard of most of the books she writes about and am interested in the ones I haven’t.
Leah: Leah is an extremely helpful and funny individual. She’s been supportive on any number of occasions as I tried to meander my way around the site. She also has some pretty incredible wine recommendations. Beyond that, she thinks. She’s in tune with moods and her writing pulls you right into those moods.
Shazzle99: She’s funny and “wacky” (her own accurate words). She also has a really cute kid.
Barefooter: Karen writes funny titles and useful reviews. I loved her crock pot review—I would have never thought of that particular use.
ZzJulia: I really like that on her profile page she provides links to other reviewers and reviews that she has found helpful and interesting. It’s a wonderfully supportive and positive thing to do.
Chaospump: I enjoy his perspective on the books he’s reviewed. It makes me re-evaluate some of my own thoughts.
Home_birther: Miriana writes wonderfully detailed reviews about products I care about. And since I know she has a great interest in product safety, I feel confident about the products she recommends.
KMINER: She has a wonderful sense of humor, is unfailingly honest and brutal in her reviews, and is also quite prolific. I’ve enjoyed her character and personality.
Tsomes:: You’ve got to recognize the talent and persuasiveness of a man who has me ready to go out and drink beer. Heck, his reviews have even taught me new ways to appreciate the stuff.
Caroleg: Carole just seems imminently friendly, outgoing, and personable. It bleeds through her writing.
Mshawpyle: I adore a writer who can challenge me, and Markham does this. He’s also an incredible contributor to this site. I’ve enjoyed his write-offs in the book category and appreciated his loyalty and supportiveness to other members.
Emlin: Emlin is easily one of my favorite writers. She has a fantastic grasp of the English language and how to use it effectively. Her competence inspires me.
Moderngypsy: Elizabeth has an artistic flair. Her writing pushes me beyond the words on the screen, making me think between the lines.
Arazim: He is very supportive and encouraging. He’s insightful and writes great comments all across the community.
Remind: Remind is a positive person who writes about all sorts of different things—really keeps my interest.
Lpmiller: This guy is funny. He finds humor in the most mundane situations and makes me laugh with his straightforward tellings. I hope he won’t be insulted when I say that in this he reminds me of Erma Bombeck and Andy Rooney—only a little more irreverent. Heck, I laughed through his review on a motherboard. He’s also handles conflict and disagreement in a mature and common-sense manner.
Cornelia: She is extremely intelligent and funny. I frequently laugh out loud when reading her reviews. They’re original and entertaining.
Dandj: Her reviews are always helpful and her children’s book reviews send me into fits of nostalgia.
Lunardaisy: Wendy writes interesting movie reviews in a very personable and conversational tone.
Hypotenuse: Can you tell I like book reviews? This woman writes them with the best of them. They’re interesting, thoughtful, and she often puts them in a fascinating perspective. Also, I like that she sometimes includes links for more information without sacrificing any detail or content in her own review.
TeachEm2: She’s practical and is good at finding entertaining children’s books.
Jrk: This woman writes great reviews and I can’t wait until she writes her own children’s book so that I can read it to my little one.
Ishtarskye: I can once gain thank a fellow Epinionator for making sure that I’m not totally culturally illiterate. She writes interesting movie reviews that help me stay in tune with what everyone is talking about.
Halfsweet: There is definitely a professional quality to her writing. It’s solid, informative, and never drags.
Carcharias: He hates many of my favorite things, but he does it with such flair that I can’t help but enjoy. He’s literate, intelligent, and well worth reading.
Jankp: She has a fantastic writing style that is worthy of being immersed in. She’s creative and original. She’s also very open and sharing in her epinions.
Gracef: I enjoy associating with people of integrity and Grace is one of those people. She has been encouraging and kind. She has worked hard to try to make epinions a better site for everyone who is here by trying to get abusers to change their ways or at least keep the more offensive works out of sight.
Cowboydj: I’m a big fan of satire and this man writes it with the best of them. His reviews make me laugh until my sides split, and I always feel bad for him when others take him seriously and take offense.
HaplessChild: She is funny. Really funny. You’ll laugh for days after reading some of her reviews and you’ll tell all your friends about them.
Redsox75: He writes some wonderfully moody music reviews. I can sometimes hear the music playing after reading his reviews.
Pluckyduck: She has just the right mix of personality and product information. I’m often charmed by her reviews. She has me almost convinced to spend $95 on a bottle of spirits should I ever have that much extra money lying around.
Jodhisattva: Lyrical. Everything Jody writes is lyrical and I feel hypnotized after reading her reviews. They’re wonderful.
TRISMEGISTOS: Here’s another man who can put words together in ways I would have never thought of. There’s brilliance in his writing and he makes his words shine.
Gungian: He’s my newest find and I just plain like the way he uses the language. He also writes about different topics and I walk away feeling more aware about some of the wonderful books and music available.
Nita: I admire her technical expertise and adore her book reviews. How in the world does someone become so talented in both sides of the brain?
Conclusion
After doing this list, I suddenly realize how very many people I read and enjoy regularly who are NOT on this list. Perhaps I should soon take the time to update my WOT and to those I’ve neglected, I apologize.
I will not tell someone else how they should behave on this site—what they should write, how they should rate, the way to write comments. Diversity is too important and it’s a good thing that we all do it somewhat differently. I will, however, wish for a place where those who encourage and support far outnumber those who denigrate and insult. I will continue to look for positive energetic reviews while mostly ignoring the ones that attack others and are destructive.
Now it’s time for me to get back to book and product reviews where I belong.
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Epinions.com ID:
Redlass
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 - Top 500 |
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Member: Bridgette
Location: Lansing, Michigan
Reviews written: 526
Trusted by: 482 members
About Me:
I have many loves: family, books, theater, writing, and the many communities I belong to.
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