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READ THIS
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READ THIS |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738
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IT'S ALL CAPS. (okay..so how many people read this 'cause it was all caps?) Check in, please? Consider it a very unscientific experiment.  |
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| © Copyright 2005 serenity blaze - All Rights Reserved | |||
Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
lol, not me I read it cuz YOU wrote it  and that is the truth, the whole truth, 'n nuttin butt |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Here! Yo! Yes? Present! Yeah? [and aren't experiments fun?] |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Actually, thinking over your presentation within the post, not only is it the poet and his/her presentation, but why the sudden "help" mode I fell in to. Serenity = READ THIS = I desire.... nee...not "help" or "want" or "need".... but my first thought? "I 'desire' you to be here." Ok. Back into my corner until more intelligent people can come in and tell me why I'm wrong for listening to my senses. |
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Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
Okay, I clicked on because it was you Karen, and for you to write it CAPS I just knew it had to be important, as you usually don't. Great experiment! However, when people post in ALL CAPS in the Open Poetry Forums.. I tend not to read as I feel I am being yelled at. LOL. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Karen...I thought you said something else...insert r in caps...sheesh.  |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I can see this is gonna have to be somewhat controlled. Ya'll are wonderful, tho. It may not be scientific, but it sure is heart-warming! Gawd-I-love-this-place!  |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
ok what next? The unknown comic from the Gong Show? (God, that makes me sound old) |
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Midnitesun
since 2001-05-18
Posts 28647Gaia |
rotfl at susie's reply not to mention msmartie's LOL nancy and I read it the same and Karilea? laughing so hard here I NEARLY peed my pants |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
I opened your post because it was you and I thought you wanted to share something .. I open and read everything you write.. Best marty jo... Anyway you can get it,take it LOL |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Please allow me to explain. I have argued for some time now, with a few members who have come and gone actually, the importance of a title. I lost the first round of argument, actually--he had me re-title a poem and it seemingly received more "hits" than with my lesser, more obscure title. Same words, different title. Recently I found myself obstinately arguing the same point, conveniently forgetting that I LOST the first arguement. And obviously, using my name, and using all caps, was a poorly controlled experiment. But for you dear friends who have checked in, how important do you think the subject line is, in regards to how much attention you will give a poem in the scroll, regardless of author? I confess that it's probably way too "weighty" to me--untitled poems? I believe Marge said once if you don't bother to name your "children" then why should I bother with 'em? (I'm sure I paraphrased badly, but I understood the gist of it, as I give complete understanding nods to Margie regarding that subject.) And yes, Marge, please feel free to clear up any misunderstanding I might have alluded to your voice on that. But I do agree--name the kiddies. So I'm asking now, what exactly "pulls you in" to read a poem? What makes a good title? (I confess many times I go with tradition and simply use a line from the poem that I feel sums up my idea, and yes many times, it happens to be my summation line.) so...sigh... do tell? How do you decide your titles/topic lines? |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Serenity, You have a large faithful following, so for this test to work I suggest you use a different name. There are a few of you I will read no matter what the title. The same as I choose a movie basically because I like the lead person’s style or work. Respectfully, martyjo |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Thank you marty...and smile, I love how you always say "respectfully". You are always a gracious lady. thank you |
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Dark Angel Member Patricius
since 1999-08-04
Posts 10095 |
I read this because you wrote it M'lady, caps or not  I read everything you submit.What pulls me in to read a poem? Both the author and the title, especially the author if they're one of my favs. Most of the time I use a line from the poem as a title... yes boring me  and that sometimes is difficult.Mxx ~i want for myself your trembling~ |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Maree grabbed my lines. Because the good authors I know... utilize tantalizing titles. And when they don't care enough to name their children just so even the good authors know why. I think that this is not only a good experiment, serenity, but something that should get some to thinking.... on what some folks could well call Expectations. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Maree said it for me too!  |
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Cloud 9 Senior Member
since 2004-11-05
Posts 980Ca |
Maree said it for me three... |
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Susan Caldwell Member Rara Avis
since 2002-12-27
Posts 8348Florida |
Here are my confessions on this: This thread I read because of the forum it was in and it was by you, Karen. Titles very rarely pull me in. I read (not always replying) favorite poets...because I love them... and well, (this is why it's confessions) I also read those I don't care for much just to see what they are going to say next... *sigh* I know I need help...no need to tell me. When I do a DM rotation all that is out the window and I read as much as I can regardless... But, as I said, it rarely has anything to do with title... With that said I love Icebox for how he writes and his titles...lol he is the exception. "too bad ignorance isn't painful" |
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LoveBug
Moderator
Member Elite
since 2000-01-08
Posts 4697 |
I came because I read from top to bottom  Love's a lovely lad |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
NOPE NOT ME! I came in 'cause it's you! And I too have found that title matters. But I tend to not take much time in my writing, probably obvious, and even less time on the title. I'm usually done in five minutes occasionally more. I'm probably too untrained to give you any guidance at all Karen. Sorry. If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. |
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Nan
Administrator
Member Seraphic
since 1999-05-20
Posts 21191Cape Cod Massachusetts USA |
I came here because it was YOU YELLING - READ THIS!!!...  Titles definitely draw me in - as does the author (or cause me to avoid, whatever the case)... "Untitled" NEVER gets my attention. Neither would "UNTITLED" of course.. I never have much liked YELLING... |
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ctowen Member Elite
since 2001-10-18
Posts 2286Green Mountains of VT |
I clicked in because of the use of Control Words .... certain words do demand the reader to react, ... READ THIS apparently are two of them!! CT  |
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timothysangel1973
since 2001-12-03
Posts 1725Never close enough |
Well I clicked because I had read every damn thing else tonight hehe If that aint reason enough I dont know what is.. and to tell you the truth... because my entire life is a 911 call... I didnt even realize it was in capitol letters till it was pointed out either that, or Im not paying attention could go either way Im in a funk and rambling... now Im gone Tima The Captive Heart |
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LeeJ Member Patricius
since 2003-06-19
Posts 13296 |
HA, I READ IT CUZ YOU TOLD ME TO... TALK ABOUT the POWER of women????? |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I came for I am a moth to your flame. titles??? Alliterations of course. (or maybe I stutter)  I'll bare the brunt of your long buried pain |
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littlewing Member Rara Avis
since 2003-03-02
Posts 9655New York |
hands down, you posted it, I am reading it. I never know what you may need or what game you want to play. Plus, it sounded like you needed help. so plbbt! and titles? God, I love reading poetry with titles I am unfamiliar with or something I have to do research on. I like to read about things I can be educated about. You see, I know - depending on my mood, that is, who I need to read - because I know that person, whatever they have written, will make me feel better, because most of the time? They are thinking the same thing I am, or feeling the way I do at that particular point in time. PLUS, by reading of others feelings, especially when I am feeling down, makes me feel better. I dont think I actually read certain people, do I? I try to randomly scope out something and most of the time all I have to do is stare at the title and the name and just know, I was meant to go read this. |
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Ringo
since 2003-02-20
Posts 3684Saluting with misty eyes |
Actually Karen ,I read things here because... uh... wait.... I need to check in, first, don't I??? uh... I'M HERE!!!!!! lol Anyhow... I read things here based on the name on the post (those whose writing I enjoy most), then I read some new ones I haven't read before, and then I get around to others if I have time. The only time the title comes into play is deciding which of multiple posts to read by the same author, or if there is one that is especially intriguing. http://www.mysticwicks.com |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You bellowed, madame??? LOL Being more than a bit ornery and obstinate, I usually ignore commands to READ THIS... but of course, for every rule, there are exceptions... so I'll freely admit I opened this thread because of WHO wrote it, not because of the command. (As others did... I thought you needed us, put on my jogging shoes and... well geesh. LOL) Okay, okay... I ramble... can't help it... I'm blonde and thinking is difficult enough without anyone expecting a direct path. LOL Bottom line? I look first for favorite poets... for even though I have a STRONG preference for someone caring enough to slap a decent title on top of their words, there are some people I'd read if they used numbers or pure gibberish to distinguish their poems... and I'd still feel like I'd tumbled into a room filled with treasure. *G* I guess if what you write is good enough, the title is merely a tool. *G* But most of us who need every tool we can beg, borrow or steal. LOL And... while I'm looking for my favorite poets, I'm also drawn to poems because of their titles... and that's led to additional favorite poets. Do some titles disappoint? Yup... by being too good. *S* I hate finishing a poem with the feeling the author put their best work on the subject line. *S* (Susan... you're not alone... there are also those I check out just to see what they're up to... even knowing I'm making my dentist wealthy trying to counteract my teeth grinding! LOL) |
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Christopher
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-02
Posts 8296Purgatorial Incarceration |
With the limited amount of time i have to spend online, the title is about the only thing that will prompt me to read a piece. There are a few of our less prolific autors (Alicia, for example) that will cause me to read irregardless, but as a rule it's the title. Even some of my favorite authors (yourself, for example) who are prolific will only grab me with a catchy title. I am less stringent in the discussion forums, but only because they demand much less out of me and because I don't feel compelled to reply to every one. Good poetry, however, demands a response and I could (and have, in the past) spend hours just replying. So, the reason I read this is because I knew it would demand little, but provide for some mild entertainment for a few moments before I close the browser and jump back into my work. |
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Essorant Member Elite
since 2002-08-10
Posts 4769Regina, Saskatchewan; Canada |
It makes me think the author needs attention more urgently. And if someone seems to need attention more urgently, that is a good enough reason to give it. |
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gemjop Member Elite
since 2002-11-18
Posts 2587Pencilveinia, USA |
That was odd. I did it because you said so. Submissive! Normally though, if it weren't for seeing your name by it and me thinking it would likely be something interesting or humorous, i would have not clicked it. READ THIS, is often used in forums like this by desperate people who want you to reply, like 'RePlY tO tHiS!' Usually teens who have that awful obsession with doing the aforementioned atrocity with letters. Yes, so normally, whenever i see something in capitals say on this or any other related forum, my brain says; 'Nope, this is gonna be *bleep* because its a typical desperate someobody SHOUTING at me begging me to read, who already thinks/knows no one will reply because its probably drivel (how catty of me)' The BOLD desperation just puts me off. If you're going to be desperate, do it with style! Seeing something that says 'PLEASE READ AND REPLY TO THIS< IT TOOK SO MUCH WORK/TIME/MEANS SO MUCH' Makes me tut and want to scream back EVERYONE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!!! But then i think i must be quite an easily irked individual. Capitals are sometimes ok, if they serve a purpose, if it fits with a poem/subject. Is it MARK V SHELDON who always uses capitals? See that never offends me/puts me off/makes me think 'stop shouting!', because i like his words, and its just 'him'. Oh hark at me, one rule for one and another for the others! Titles that pull me in are rare. BUT, when titles do draw you in, its great, an extra treat. Icebox's always stick in my mind. They remind me of chapters in story books. But mostly, its an author that gets me, regardless of title. I sometimes use/incorporate a theme of the poem, not always neccessarily a word or line from it. Sometimes a more hidden theme, sometimes an obvious one. Usually the latter due to my impatience and incompetence in subject line writing. I'm rubbish at it though. So any old thing pulls me in, as i feel everyones pain. except, of course for the begging subject liners of course. Oh, and the cliche lines. I think i've done a fair few of those *cringe* |
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gemjop Member Elite
since 2002-11-18
Posts 2587Pencilveinia, USA |
Susan! I just decided to read the rest of the replies i origionally skipped past on this thread, and saw this and nearly wet myself! "and well, (this is why it's confessions) I also read those I don't care for much just to see what they are going to say next... *sigh* I know I need help...no need to tell me." So funny, so true. We all must do the same. Then i noticed you mentioned icebox also! It seemed weird to me at first that we both mentioned him out of everyone, but then i thought well, he is an incredibly captivating subject line writer, so its not strange at all that he should be recognised! People really should look him up for inspiration though. ahhhhh still laughing at confession no 2. |
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Local Rebel Member Ascendant
since 1999-12-21
Posts 5767Southern Abstentia |
David Ogilvy -- the master salesman/adman, co-founder of Ogilvy & Mathers -- if you want to know what works in print you go ask the people who create direct response advertising... All caps = IGNORE THIS It's harder for the brain to process -- so I think it's fairly accurate for people to say they read it because you wrote it... The ascenders and descenders of lower case make for faster easier reading -- also black text on white background is the easiest and fastest for the brain to process (for those of you who still insist on putting up pink text on a sky blue background -- clashing colours and with little gradient shifts is the worst you can do) As for the length of the title -- a long headline was found to garner the best response in advertising -- up to ten words long. In order to get people to read past the headline and into the text a drop initial (you know that huge first letter sometimes used on the first word) was found to generate more readership than text without. More than you asked for... But, I bet you read it. |
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Elan Member
since 2002-05-03
Posts 382State of Wide Eye |
Reb, I think we read You because of your name.  Gemma - your reply was charming, and started my day off just right! Serenity? Did you know I have to work hard at NOT EVER capitalizing your name? The undertone of the simple word serenity - tranquil, quiet, peaceful, still screams at me to type, Serenity, with gratitude.  And Reb? That pink on blue? Agreed! |
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GG Member Elite
since 2002-12-03
Posts 3532Lost in thought |
I'm a bit late here, but... I read it because I didn't expect you to cry wolf. Obviously I was mistaken.  lolWith limited time and poetic desire lately (when I can't write I think no one else should be able to either!) I look for my favorite authors, and once I find them I choose a couple based on titles that I want to read. There are a few I'll read no matter what. And then I find new people and/or interesting titles and will read and comment on those. That's what I try to do, at least. But y'know, now whenever we see an all caps post we'll be expecting it's you in disguise... I will say, though... usually I do read a post like that. I just don't reply unless it's one of those rare times when I believe it'd do some good. Also, poetry and discussion forums are very different for that kind of thing. If it's in a discussion forum then I think maybe there's actually some important news that will affect my life... so I read. I'm selfish like that...  ~Alyssa Hupomeno. |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
I wasn't trying to pull a fast one one anyone. REALLY!  Forgive me, folks, I did a stint in marketing once (does it show?) and I was curious about how presentation affects people sunbconciously. (Hey...I said it wasn't very scientific.) But thanks all, with nods to Reb and Nan (who has helped me once or twice with title changes in the past) and special grins for those of all ya'll who will drop in to see me, even if I have NOTHING TO SAY. (or yell) and sorry I'm tardy again. Sheesh. And thanks for playing along... |
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Janet Marie Member Laureate
since 2000-01-22
Posts 18554 |
I would play with you any time... Hells Bells... I'd play with you even if you didnt rhyme. I'd play with you rain or shine... day or night, oh twin of mine (your sandbox or mine)  I'll bare the brunt of your long buried pain |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
SUBconsciously. sigh (I've had a migraine folks, and I suspect it's a combo of stress and eye probs.) OR? It might have something to do with this:  and Jan...sheesh, with all the cats in our lives, y'still wanna venture into a sandbox? *wince* and *wink* |
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sandgrain Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662Sycamore, IL, USA |
First, I checked to see if there were any new postings. Yes Then I see it's by you. Yes Lastly, you made it quite clear what I had to do. READ THIS! So authorative, I was sure it was something extremely important like you'd won the lottery, or you're coming to visit each of us, so just had to find out. Sure now you know what gets our attention. Usually my poems just come out, then I have to think and think to come up with a title. Strange, isn't it? I have boxes full of unnamed little ones. |
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sandgrain Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662Sycamore, IL, USA |
Golly! I was sure I'd responded to this, but don't see it now. Maybe I put the response somewhere else or I was dreaming. I clicked on it because it was you and you seemed desparate in all caps and demanding in word. All caps is like yelling "Wolf" too often. It might work for a bit, but soon loses it's meaning. My poetry usually comes out and I write it down, then I have to work to come up with a title. Neat experiment, though. Rae |
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iliana Member Patricius
since 2003-12-05
Posts 13434USA |
LOL......I did, Karen. Got me. .....jojo |
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Michael
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-08-13
Posts 7666California |
Well, caps alone won't get me -- but caps from you do. |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
LOL...yea....what Michael said! |
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serenity blaze Member Empyrean
since 2000-02-02
Posts 27738 |
Sheesh. Ya'll are all so sweet.(And it's good to see ya Mike. )Ya'll are so kind to me that it just may start interfering with my whole self-loathing trip. grins and love to you all |
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1slick_lady Member Ascendant
since 2000-12-22
Posts 6088standing on a shadow's lace |
ok ok ok i'm here caps no caps i read just silent at times |
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Fee Member
since 2000-08-07
Posts 381Melbourne, Australia |
Nope, sorry not cause it was all caps, but because YOU told me to, and I listen to people who have much to say :-) besides I am just a big sticky beak....lol, Wanted to know what you wanted me to read so I could decide if I wanted to read it. Hmmmmmmmmm Expressions, |
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crosscountry83 Member
since 2009-07-30
Posts 345 |
I read it. It might have been because it said "read this," though. Rileigh |
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Alwye
Moderator
Member Elite
since 1999-06-16
Posts 3850In the space between moments |
Caps usually annoy me, so I will purposefully not read something by someone who uses them (or if they say "please read" or "please comment"). However, I do also look for familiar names who I know will give me something worthwhile to read. In addition, intriguing titles cause me to click too! |
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Falling rain
since 2008-01-31
Posts 2178Small town, Illinois |
Well its the poet in which I read the post. If you have a favorite poet post something then you usually read what they have to say. But when you put "READ THIS" as a title. It draws my attention too. Its like on t.v where the commercial is like "BUY NOW!!!" I don't know about you but I have the urge to buy now. LOL Nice experiment too. -Zach |
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Temptress
Moderator
Member Rara Avis
since 1999-06-15
Posts 7136Mobile, AL |
Its still working...I read it because you wrote it! "Its gonna be alright cause I'm okay with me" |
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Larry C
since 2001-09-10
Posts 10286United States |
I read it because you wrote it! If tears could build a stairway and memories a lane, |
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