Do you hear what I hear?. Review on MouthShut Trusted Circle

The same is true for the MS trusted circle, with certain important differences(essentially because it is the www).

*How to build trust?

First things first, MS being a writing site, your reviews and DPs do sing paeans about your personality, views, opinions. I add people to my trust list essentially when they say or do something that strikes that chord with me. The chord could either be their id(e.g. Tej – UbeU) that I found really cool. It could be a solitary diary post(e.g. Monoo’s old DPs, gonewithdwind, rohitshiva), a review that I could not get out of my mind(Mailsukhi, Swan’s excellent critiques), an interaction through the profile pages(Bodhisatva_1978), an idea I found interesting(Astrofreak’s questions), a gift that really touched me(Kweldebs), a comment worth its salt(Kirti.rath, Paulose), an appreciation of photographs either mine or yours(kbcpatel), an interaction on an sms review(Diana_Williams), a smile(Siddharth.Baruah, vikeshikavikeshika, avi550), a writer recommended by someone else(otiose, austen_inspired), a fellow member praised by someone else(babukris, anachronous, sajith), a shared interest(Manish235), the way you answer a question(Ajeet15) or just a profile pic that inspires confidence(Arunroy). The only exception to this is the people that I met first and added to my trust list later(ps316, shahidis, sweets_desire).

Look, if anybody got left out, I’m not attempting a list – OK? Peace. Also, old & great members, please excuse me, we are not counting you – I’m only talking about recent interactions here(No disrespect meant:P).

The above list(of reasons not members), though long, is not exhaustive. Nor can it be, considering that I have 234 members there – the important thing about this list is that it was not collected overnight in a networking effort but almost always, through chance encounters.

*Why profile pics are important

I remember a few old friends like Parikhmunir and Sumit_only wondering aloud why star writers are required to have profile pics. I always thought that a picture is worth a thousand words, the eyes are a mirror to the soul and er, other such euphemisms. But they are true!

Female members have always had some concerns about the misuse of their pics and the concern is valid. I may as well point out here that Jasmine is always a friend in need - waiting, watching, careful. Overall, the MS staff is great in terms of being there and sheer support. But then, point taken, once bitten is twice shy. A solution for ladies could be to upload pics that are only visible to the trusted circle and to use profile pics that are sufficiently far/blurred.

But don’t hide that face, please! If you don’t believe me, take a look at Vyzz_kid or Ipshonlu. Though the pics are blurred, they very much mirror the spirit of the person.

Why an introduction is desirable

Some days back Traveller, an old member, returned to MS. Visiting his profile page, I again came across the story that had once moved me – still does. Stories, quotations, funny sayings(Mr_Right) on your profile page make you unique in the visitor’s mind and leave a lasting impression.

Self-Introductions on the profile page are also mighty useful things. Last year, I was at my wit’s end trying to locate someone to take a course in Chemical Engineering, when I thought of Arun Roy’s page. I wrote to him and he helped me find someone extremely suitable within a matter of days!

So what does it mean if I don’t trust you?

In one word - Nurfin!

It could simply be that I have simply not interacted with you enough, or I’m just waiting for you to write something that appealed – struck the chord, whatever.