From Brontë to Patchett

I just finished reading The Verts, Ann Patchett's latest children's book beautifully illustrated by Robin Preiss Glasser. The contrasting preferences for a birthday celebration between two siblings reminded me of the contrast between a set of cousins in Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights

In Chapter 24 of Wuthering Heights, Catherine Linton recounts the contrast between Heathcliff's son summed up in their different ideal summer days:

'One time, however, we were near quarrelling. He said the pleasantest manner of spending a hot July day was lying from morning till evening on a bank of heath in the middle of the moors, with the bees humming dreamily about among the bloom, and the larks singing high up overhead, and the blue sky and bright sun shining steadily and cloudlessly. That was his most perfect idea of heaven's happiness: mine was rocking in a rustling green tree, with a west wind blowing, and bright white clouds flitting rapidly above; and not only larks, but throstles, and blackbirds, and linnets, and cuckoos pouring out music on every side, and the moors seen at a distance, broken into cool dusky dells; but close by great swells of long grass undulating in waves to the breeze; and woods and sounding water, and the whole world awake and wild with joy. He wanted all to lie in an ecstasy of peace; I wanted all to sparkle and dance in a glorious jubilee. I said his heaven would be only half alive; and he said mine would be drunk: I said I should fall asleep in his; and he said he could not breathe in mine, and began to grow very snappish. At last, we agreed to try both, as soon as the right weather came; and then we kissed each other and were friends.

These two statements, in particular, encapsulate the differences between introverts who need to 
 recharge in quiet surroundings and extroverts who feel inviograted by activity:

"He wanted all to lie in an ecstasy of peace; I wanted all to sparkle and dance in a glorious jubilee. I said his heaven would be only half alive; and he said mine would be drunk: I said I should fall asleep in his; and he said he could not breathe in mine."

In Pratchett's book, we have that difference depicted in Ivan's desire for solitude and quiet versus Estie's desire to throw a party with a lot of guests and noise. Thought Emily would not have used the terms attached to "vert," as a staunch introvert herself, she, certainly, would have recognized that aspect of human nature. 

Order these here 

Related

Perspectives on Introversion

Working Alone

The Great Introvert

Jane Austen's Heroines

Happiness is

Views on Boundaries

Public or it didn't happen

Know when to walk away

 

Sometimes you just have to walk away

by Ariella Brown

Pip should have walked away from Miss Havisham when he first met her. I applied that lesson today.

Today I walked away from a potential job. Admittedly, it wasn't a really good gig, given the combination of hours required and pay. But it wasn't the low pay that was my main turnoff; it was the delusions of the person in charge. For the purpose of this post, let's call him Irving.

If you've ever read Great Expectations or seen one of the many adaptations produced over the past century, you'd have an indelible image in your mind of Miss Havisham who keeps the moment she was anticipating her canceled wedding frozen in time for years and decades, never moving on.

.victorianweb.org/victorian/art/illustration/dixon/15.htmlScanned image and text by Philip V. Allingham

In this case, it's a site that is forever frozen in 2008 like an extinct woolly mammoth in ice, never updating its approach or appearance or assumptions about effectively engaging an audience.

Irving is not interested in crafting what will truly resonate with people. Nor is he interested in improving the social media outreach to potentially attract more viewers and subscribers.

Irving is only interested in having editors bring his vision to life, maintaining the delusion that this is the way, and it will become perfect. When I pointed out that if it hasn't happened in over 15 years, it is unlikely to arrive at this point, Irving brushed my argument aside.

The site itself and the static cards crammed with hashtags and no images that are used across all their social media channels are stuck in the convention of nearly 20 years ago while the world has moved on. Like Miss Havisham, Irving is stuck in that moment in time when his print paper crumpled, and he's unwilling to change.

Freezing the moment

Backstory: there was a newspaper that did well enough in its market early in this century. But in 2008, it lost its advertising revenue and had to close up shop. The owner decided to pivot to an online format modeled on "The Drudge Report," which he still thinks is the pinnacle of journalism.

No one else think that, certainly not in 2024. Over the decades, Drudge has been criticized repeatedly for biases -- first on the right and then on the left -- and for promulgating hoaxes as real news. Yet, Irving doggedly maintains that this is "an art form" to craft "pithy headlines" that convey a story of the events when grouped together.

Bad models assure bad outcomes

Irving even directed me to the examples on the Drudge site that actually generalize a number of headlines to make them read as a title followed by support. More often than not those modified headlines overly generalize to the headlines of the stories they link to the point of real and deliberate misrepresentation.

As an authentic and honest person (even in marketing) I don't like misleading spin. I don't trust any outlet that does that and don't like contributing to it. Aside form the sleaziness factor, it's not even effective at winning attention and influence.

Why this is a doomed venture

Taking on this job with the intent to improve the site and extend its audience beyond the average of a single visitor a day is doomed because of two fundamental errors in Irving's thinking.

One is that his faith in the power of quality products. He clarified that his primary goal for the site is to make it -- what it has not yet become in over 16 years -- a "quality" site. The assumption that quality will always win out is patently false, as I explained in Building Alone Doesn't Lead to Success. 

Irving's second fundamental error is in how defines quality, taking the Drudge Report model is the ultimate measure of quality for a news site -- in 2024. That's analogous to declaring the Blackberry the ultimate in mobile technology. It was once upon a time, but not since it was forever displaced by the standard set by Apple's iPhone in 2007. 

Irving has not moved on since that time period, maintaining the site just as it was set up in 2008. That is completely out of touch with people's expectations of the internet today and that both Gen Z and Gen X have now become accustomed to take in our news through social media posts shared by those we follow.

No one (with the possible exception of the die-hard Drudge fans of a certain age like Irving himself) wants to take in a slanted account by reading blocks of text made up solely out of paraphrased headlines. No one would consider that journalism, no matter how much Irving insists that the pithy headline is an art form. .

No profits and no metrics

While stats as a baseline are essential to measure progress, Irving admits that he knows they're dismal but won't look at them. So I used the power of the internet to find out such public information.

How bad is it? Very.

Site traffic: just one visitor a day, which is likely Irving himself.

Social traffic: zero

Referring links; zero

Domain value: zero. For a site that has been active for over 16+ years and that boasts of 25K subscribers, that is beyond pathetic.

How can the site remain active for so long when the cost of running it with two part-time editors and hosting has to come to somewhere between $30,000 and $40,000 a years?

The site is not monetized in any real way. Ostensibly, it has ads, but the ads are all from nonprofits and other projects directly connected to Irving. I suspect that he may just have the nonprofits pay for the ads just enough to cover the operational cost of the site. Alternatively, he may just be keeping it on a money loser to counter-balance profits from his for profit businesses.

In either case, this is a lesson about how markets can only force greater efficiency if you are subject to market conditions. This site -- still hosted on Dreamweaver, a product that has not been supported for years -- would have folded over a decade ago due to its failure to retain the audience it had first won over in print. It's can only be maintained like Miss Havisham herself because there is money coming in from another source to artificially keep alive something that should have died a natural death.

Related:

Building Alone Doesn't Lead to Success

Pride and Prejudice in Job Applications

Literary LinkedIn: Pride and Prejudice Edition

https://www.zazzle.com/pride_and_prejudice_back_playing_cards-256170938484232629

Literary LinkedIn:  Pride and Prejudice Edition

by Ariella Brown

Today I mused about how some of the different characters in Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice would behave on LinkedIn and jotted down these takes:

• Mr. Collins would name drop and bore everyone with his pedantic posts.
• Mary would be cringe incarnate and try too hard to impress people with her accomplishments.
• Lydia would only post videos and then shift her attention to Instagram and TikTok.
• Miss Bingley would post only canned ideas and comments and pretend to offer helpful advice when she is really putting people down.
• Darcy would have thousands of followers hanging on his rare posts to try to win some attention from someone with a great deal of wealth and influence. He'd ignore all the invitations to connect.

This Pride and Prejudice gif captures that fairly well.  

Then I thought why not play with generative AI to see what it would come up with for some of the characters. I tasked it with creating profiles for Mr. Darcy, Mr. Wickham, and Elizabeth Bennet. I've copied all three exactly with [my notes in red]:

# Fitzwilliam Darcy

Estate Owner and Manager | Philanthropist | Gentleman of Derbyshire

## About

Experienced estate owner and manager with a strong commitment to upholding family legacy and social responsibilities. Known for astute business acumen, principled decision-making, and a reserved yet commanding presence. Skilled in estate management, social navigation, and horseback riding.    

 ## Experience 

### Owner and Master

**Pemberley Estate, Derbyshire**

*1800 - Present*

- Oversee the management of a vast estate, including tenant farms, forests, and a grand manor house

- Implement innovative agricultural practices to increase productivity and tenant welfare

- Host social events to maintain and expand influential networks

- Manage a staff of over 50 individuals, ensuring smooth operations of the estate

### Guardian

**Georgiana Darcy**

*1803 - Present*

- Responsible for the education, social development, and financial management of my younger sister

- Collaborate with extended family members to ensure her well-being and future prospects

## Education

**Cambridge University**

*Classical Studies and Estate Management*

1795 - 1799

## Skills

- Estate Management

- Financial Planning

- Social Etiquette [well, that's debatable]

- Horseback Riding

- Dancing (Assembly Balls)  

- Letter Writing

## Volunteer Experience

### Patron

**Lambton Village School**

- Provide financial support and oversee improvements to local educational facilities

### Benefactor

**Derbyshire Hospital**

- Regular donations and involvement in expanding medical services for the local community

## Recommendations

**Charles Bingley**

"Darcy is a man of impeccable character and judgment. His friendship and counsel have been invaluable in both personal and professional matters."

**Colonel Fitzwilliam**

"As co-guardian to Georgiana Darcy, I can attest to Fitzwilliam's unwavering dedication and sound decision-making. A true gentleman in every sense."

## Interests

- Literature

- Music (particularly pianoforte performances)

- Fencing

- Landscape Design  - Fine Arts         

## Languages

- English (Native)

- French

- Latin

-Greek

Pride and Prejudice notebook from Totally_jane Austen -

                                   

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

# George Wickham

Military Officer | Charming Socialite | Adaptable Professional

## About

Charismatic and versatile professional with a background in military service and a talent for navigating diverse social circles. Adept at building relationships, quick to adapt to new environments, and always seeking opportunities for personal and professional advancement.

## Experience

### Lieutenant

**His Majesty's Army - Militia Regiment**

*1811 - Present*

- Serve as an officer in the militia, maintaining order and participating in local defense

- Engage with local communities, enhancing military-civilian relations

- Demonstrate leadership and tactical skills during training exercises

### Personal Assistant (former)

**Pemberley Estate, Derbyshire**

*1808 - 1810*

- Assisted in various estate management tasks

- Cultivated relationships with key stakeholders and local gentry

- Gained valuable insights into high society operations and estate management

### Aspiring Clergyman (abandoned)  [Wouldn't he say Ex-Church of England just like people like to say Ex-Google? ] 

**Church of England**

*1805 - 1808*

- Pursued theological studies with the intention of taking orders

- Developed public speaking and community engagement skills

## Education

**Cambridge University**

*Classical Studies*

1801 - 1805

## Skills

- Public Relations

- Networking

- Adaptability

- Persuasive Communication

- Horseback Riding

- Fencing

[-Seducing young women should be included.}

## Volunteer Experience

### Community Liaison

**Various Local Assemblies**

- Facilitate connections between military personnel and local residents

- Organize social events to boost morale and community spirit

## Recommendations

**Colonel Forster**

"Wickham has proven to be a charming addition to our regiment. His ability to lift spirits and engage with the local community is commendable."

**Mrs. Bennet**

"Such a delightful young man! Mr. Wickham's presence always brightens any social gathering. A true gentleman with impeccable manners."

## Interests

- Literature and Poetry

- Ballroom Dancing

- Card Games

- Theatre and Performances

- Travel and Adventure

-Extorting Money

## Languages

- English (Native)

- French (Conversational).

https://www.zazzle.com/pride_and_prejudice_flask-256985324113916583

---------------------------------------------

So we have the hero and anti-hero of the novel. I then asked for the heroine, and found it quite interesting that Claude put in this little introductory note before generating it: 

Certainly, I'd be happy to create a LinkedIn profile for Elizabeth Bennet from "Pride and Prejudice." This will be an interesting exercise in translating her 19th-century accomplishments and characteristics into a modern professional format.

# Elizabeth Bennet

Accomplished Gentlewoman | Avid Reader | Critical Thinker

## About

Intelligent and vivacious young woman with a keen eye for social dynamics and human nature. Known for quick wit, love of learning, and ability to challenge societal norms. Excels in conversation, literary analysis, and navigating complex social situations with grace and humor.

## Experience

### Estate Manager in Training [Honestly, this description is much more of a match for Anne in Persuasion than for Elizabeth who doesn't take that much interest in the estate or  in blanacing the budget] 

**Longbourn Estate, Hertfordshire**

*1811 - Present*

- Assist in the management of family estate, including household operations and tenant relations

- Develop skills in budgeting, resource allocation, and social event planning

- Advocate for more efficient and equitable estate practices

### Tutor and Mentor

**Bennet Family**

*1808 - Present*

- Provide guidance and educational support to younger siblings [with dubious success, as revealed by Lydia's behavior] 

- Foster a love for literature and critical thinking among family members

- Encourage the pursuit of personal growth and intellectual development [mostly in her conversations with her father, with the rest of the family, not so much]

## Education

**Home Education**

*Comprehensive studies in Literature, History, Music, and Modern Languages*

1800 - Present

## Skills

- Critical Thinking

- Public Speaking

- Literary Analysis

- Piano Performance

- French Language

- Walking and Nature Observation

- Social Etiquette

- Needlework

## Volunteer Experience

### Community Engagement Coordinator

**Meryton Assembly Halls**

- Organize and participate in local charitable events

- Foster community spirit through social gatherings and dances

### Literacy Advocate [This is rather a bit of a stretch. She doesn't come across as particularly concerned about the tenants of Longbourn, though she would probably have to take on more such responsibilities as the mistress of Pemberley.]

**Longbourn Village**

- Promote reading and education among tenants' children

- Provide informal tutoring in reading and writing

## Recommendations

**Charlotte Lucas**

"Elizabeth's quick wit and insightful nature make her an invaluable friend and a formidable conversationalist. Her ability to see beyond social pretenses is truly remarkable."

**Jane Bennet**

"My sister Elizabeth possesses a rare combination of intelligence, empathy, and determination. Her support and guidance have been instrumental in my own personal growth."

## Interests

- Classic and Contemporary Literature

- Philosophical Debates

- Nature Walks and Sketching

- Musical Performances

- Travel and Exploration of New Cultures                         

## Languages

- English (Native)

- French (Fluent)

- Italian (Basic)

Pride and Prejudice wine labels

-------------------------------------------------------------

It seems Claude is much more comfortable writing up the profiles of men whose lives more closely match the pattern of people today in terms of formal education and professional roles than with describing women whose more restricted activities do not lend themselves as well to this form of profile. 

Related


Pride and Prejudice in Job Applications

Jane Austen: Love and Money
Love and Limerence in Jane Austen
Jane Austen at the Morgan
Three Janes, Two Governesses,
Observations on Jane Austen's Emma
Jane Austen and Autism
Jane Austen's Heroines
Pride, Prejudice and Persuasion: Obstacles to Happiness in Jane Austen's Novels
Pride and Prejudice in Job Applications
The Big Bow-wow & Bit of Ivory
Jane Austen and Capability Brown

Birth of a Legend

 

Snoopy typing "It was a dark and stormy night." 

Snoopy's unvarying opening line harkens back to 1830 when the English writer and politician  novelist, Sir Edward Bulwer-Lytton penned the now-cliched sentence to open his novel, Paul Clifford. Like the fairytale opening of "Once upon a time," this formula ended up copied by many others over the years influencing Snoopy in his style of writing much like generative AI is trained by the models of writing it ingests as its training. 

In fact, it is now influencing the title of a collection of works that predate 1830. A Dark and Stormy Night is the title of a collection of ghost stories told by Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Mary Wollstonecraft, who would later become Mary Shelley. 

It references what was in fact a possibly dark and stormy afternoon in the spring of 1816 when the group that had traveled to Geneva told ghost stories to passed the time while stuck inside.  Mary's story was one that has taken on a life of its own, and the standard flat-headed, green-tinted image of the monster Victor Frankenstein created popularized by countless film adaptations is more familiar to people today than stanzas of Romantic poetry. 

Two years after her oral telling, Mary Shelley published her novel under the title Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus, bringing to light the downside of the Prometheus impulse that her husband celebrated in his epic poem, Prometheus Unbound. 

Most people who have read the novel have not read the 1818 version. Mary Shelley revised the novel, which was published anew in an 1831 edition. You can read about the changes entailed here. 

While the legend of the Frankenstein monster was was born in 1816 in Geneva, Mary Wollstonecraft herself was born in 1797 in London,  Her parents were the feminist writer Mary Wollstonecraft, who died just 10 days after her daughter's birth, and William Godwin. Her birthday is August 30th, the date of this post. 

Related: 

Happy (early) birthday, Shakespeare

What Do Cynthia Ozick and Snoopy have in common?

En)gendering Romanticism: A Study of Charlotte Bronte's Novels

Uncommon Marketing Content

What does it take for a post to go viral? Something that impresses people for its originality and relatability.  Mammoth Cave National Park  pulled that off by veering off the well-worn path of describing attractions like that.  

While this is more marketing-centered than what I usually post on this blog, the theme of uncommon content made me decide to place it her rather than on my WriteWayPro blog. 

This post is not about knocking generative AI. As I said in An Apology to Generative AI , the hackneyed that we see in ChatGPT output originated with humans who parrot each other instead of aspiring to fresher expressions. Ask generative AI to  write up a paragraph meant to encourage people to visit Mammoth Cave National Park and you get nearly interchangeable results:

From Google Gemini

Descend into the depths of history at Mammoth Cave National Park. With over 400 miles of mapped passages, this underground wonderland is the longest known cave system in the world. Explore ancient formations, marvel at the beauty of nature's hidden wonders, and experience the thrill of adventure. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or a curious novice, Mammoth Cave offers unforgettable experiences for all ages.

From ChatGPT

Discover the hidden wonders beneath the surface at Mammoth Cave National Park, where adventure and natural beauty converge in a breathtaking underground labyrinth. With the world's longest known cave system stretching over 400 miles, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers an array of guided tours showcasing stunning stalactites, stalagmites, and ancient cave formations. Beyond the caves, the park's diverse landscapes beckon with lush forests, scenic trails, and tranquil rivers perfect for hiking, kayaking, and wildlife spotting. Whether you're a thrill-seeker eager to explore deep caverns or a nature lover seeking serene outdoor experiences, Mammoth Cave National Park promises an unforgettable escape into one of America's most remarkable natural wonders.

From Claude

Discover the awe-inspiring wonders of Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world's longest known cave system. Explore over 400 miles of surveyed passageways, from vast chambers to narrow tunnels, each telling a unique geological story. Above ground, hike through lush forests, paddle scenic rivers, and spot diverse wildlife. Whether you're an adventure seeker, nature lover, or history buff, Mammoth Cave offers unforgettable experiences for all ages. Come uncover the hidden treasures beneath Kentucky's rolling hills and create memories that will last a lifetime.

From Copilot

Discover the wonders of Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the world’s longest known cave system with over 400 miles of explored passageways. Located in the rolling hills of south-central Kentucky, this UNESCO World Heritage Site offers more than just breathtaking underground tours. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, horseback riding, and canoeing along the Green and Nolin Rivers. With its rich history, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes, Mammoth Cave National Park is a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. Plan your trip today and experience the natural beauty and hidden treasures of this remarkable park

Delivering an unexpected message 

The social media content manager for this particular park decided to take a completely different approach. Likely this text was informed by the common experience of visiting a place that is touted as awesome and find that it just doesn't live up to the hype. This breath-of-fresh-air honesty proved so memorable that over 100K liked it, over 9K commented, nad 30K shared the post, giving it an impressive amount of reach at no cost. 

Here's the text: 
Come experience what has disappointed millions of people for over 225 years!
Mammoth Cave National Park recently rated as one of the “most disappointing U.S. tourist attractions”! While we think the world’s longest cave system and over 4,000 years of human history is AMAZING, others find that the cave is “very dark” and there is “nothing cool” here to see.
If you would like to experience the disappointment of Mammoth Cave, visit our website and choose from one of our many activities that will leave you unfulfilled! You can be disappointed by a “dry hole with very few stalagmites and stalactites” or discover nothing “other than trees” on over 80+ miles of hiking, biking, horseback riding, and water trails. (Fair warning – there are bugs in the outdoors, cellular phone service is spotty, and there are stairs on some of our cave tours.)
A world of regret awaits you at Mammoth Cave! 

Make your cave tour reservations and find all the information you need to plan your very own “not enjoyable” visit to Mammoth Cave National Park at: https://ow.ly/8ifx50T59Eo

#JustAnotherCavePark


The park rep kept the game going in the comments, replying to most of them with exchanges like this: 

Mark Thornberry

I've been disappointed in the place since I was 6. 61 years of being let down (pun fully intended). I don't know why I keep coming back. I'm mean, it just takes forever for anything to change in that hole.

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Mammoth Cave National Park

Mark Thornberry, we're happy to be a disappointment. 

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Aggie Johnston Stevens

Mark Thornberry I too am disappointed, every single time.

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hashtag

Mary Beth Brown

“A world of regret awaits you at Mammoth Cave!”

The chortle I chortled! 

Thanks for the laugh - y’all and our beloved Mammoth Cave are national treasures. 

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Sarah Behm

I hope they make a “No Regrets” shirt and an

“All the Regret” shirt with their logo to further play on this in their gift shop!

I love the outdoors and drag my hubby so I’d buy a no regrets shirt but he’d DEFINITELY buy an “All the Regrets” shirt. 

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Brian Shannon

Mary Beth Brown they need to make shirts, hats and bumper stickers with this slogan. It’s gold!

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