A custom I'm encouraging

[nancylebov]

In comments to a good post about the emotional importance of Persephone, kassrachel says

In one of the online communities where I am at home, there's a custom of leaving a pebble on a blog post when one doesn't have a substantive response to offer but wants to show that one has been there, that one is listening and has heard something which hit home. It's kind of like the Jewish custom of leaving a pebble on a headstone, to show that one has passed through. It looks like this:

(o)

Comments

[redrose]

(o)

[ashnistrike.livejournal.com]

(o)

That's a good custom--a bit like the "like" button on Facebook, but more presence than automatic approval. I've wished several times that FB had an "Ack!" button to complement the "like" button. "Like" seems entirely inappropriate when someone is posting about troubles.

[dcseain.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

[demonspawnmom.livejournal.com]

(o)

It's a lovely idea.

[sodyera.livejournal.com]

(o)

[orawnzva.livejournal.com]

"Ack" could also be read, particularly by those with a technical background, as "acknowledge", which is of course what the pebble stands for.

[lysystratae.livejournal.com]

just don't leave two of them or they'll think you're making a boob joke

[captain-button.livejournal.com]

I've gotten into a semi-habit of either posting a frownie 8-({ or "Captain Button crosses his fingers for #poster."

I find I have a similar problem in chats, when someone is talking about their difficult situation and I run out of meaningful things to say but I don't want to fall silent and look like I don't care or have gone away.

[deor.livejournal.com]

*nod*