Comments on Commenting Is A Thankless Task

Go to Blog-Page - Add a comment - Go to Commenting Is A Thankless Task

Like a lot of people,

I HATE to leave "good post" messages. If I can't add to or modify what's posted, then I would rather leave no comments at all.

On the other hand, in a forum like blogit, comments are what TELL people you are in the loop - there's some damned good blogs languishing WAY down the lists that deserve to be read. ANd, if you think about it, maybe you're so high in the pop ratings BECAUSE you comment so often....

posted by L.E.Gant on November 14, 2004 at 6:53 PM | link to this | reply

SincerityAnna

You do understand, I can tell. I am going to take a good look at your posts ... in an hour or two when I just get through a deadline...seriously I have A pressing one and I even set myself one here, fool that i am.

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 12:38 PM | link to this | reply

I agree

with everything you've said. I freelance because I do not want to go outside of my home to work and not be able to be home with my kids...and it i8s tough...and it doesn't hardly pay...and it is emotionally exausting sometimes and that's why I am now blogging...for that little extra income but this is going to be a full time ordeal too I can see. And just to let you know...I feel that if I want people to read my blogs then I must do the same for them because from what I understand so far...blogging is a community effort...we all support eachother. Don't we

posted by SincerityAnna on November 11, 2004 at 11:15 AM | link to this | reply

Hi SlyCy, Of course I read them and acknowledge them

I was a little surprised actually by the number here. This post was about the feeling that giving the time to reading and commenting on many people leaves you feeling taken for granted. And yet some people read virtually no one and conduct all dicussion only on their posts.

posted by beachbelle on November 11, 2004 at 10:38 AM | link to this | reply

Beachy, for this post you have received 42 comments.

What do you expect?   That is more comments than I have received in the ten months I have been on this network combined.  Plus, I make 43.  Take care, if you can find the time to read all these comments.  Bye.

posted by SlyCy on November 11, 2004 at 5:55 AM | link to this | reply

Canine, me too.

posted by beachbelle on November 10, 2004 at 7:33 PM | link to this | reply

BB,

I try to respond to as many as I can because I love that someone has taken the time to read me. Great post!

posted by canine277 on November 10, 2004 at 12:11 PM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle

That is why people stop blogging I would think Beachy.

I know I read, I comment, and I seldom make the list of commentors so then the guilt sets in.

And I seldom have a third of the comments in my blogs that I give out, so I catch myself getting resentful.

Then you'll get a saddy faced or angry comment left in a blog and it just makes you want to leave all the more.

You are a wonderful teacher if folks listen, and I listen to ya  alot. But, I will probably leave blogging once I get into serious writing.

Of course I am a procrastinator!! Thanx for your post luv, I really enjoy the heck out of  what you say and how you say it teach

posted by WileyJohn on November 10, 2004 at 9:23 AM | link to this | reply

One may define comment or any other word with a link to a dictionary.

posted by Mentifex on November 10, 2004 at 5:31 AM | link to this | reply

While commenting may take some time out of posting, it is the thing that makes this place a community. I guess a deliberate balance between the two will do the trick.

posted by Amateur on November 10, 2004 at 2:37 AM | link to this | reply

I try to comment on my favs as often as I can, even if just to say "hi". I'll comment on other posts I find if I think they are interesting. But I've found that the world time differences mean that when I'm on here commenting and posting, not many others are.

posted by Ca88andra on November 10, 2004 at 1:37 AM | link to this | reply

Eternal wastes...

I started off commenting on everything...good, bad, shit, and sad, in order to get feedback from the wealth of writers on Blogit. A few generous souls responded in kind. Most kept to themselves; no peeps, comments, or even insults came flowing back my direction. Writers, after all are, only good conversationalists on paper!

 

 

posted by Diversion4u on November 9, 2004 at 10:49 PM | link to this | reply

True, BB

posted by A_Norseman on November 9, 2004 at 10:46 PM | link to this | reply

A Norseman

As a beach person I can relate to the tidal references. Somedays when you give a lot of comments you end up feeling all washed up

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 10:43 PM | link to this | reply

Beachbelle,

As a new blogger I have been overwhelmed by the quanity of material to sift through.  I admit I was negligent at first trying to acknowledge all comments, I was too busy just reading and posting.  I have made an effort of late to correct that, but when I start feeling invisible I just figure there are a lot more people in the same boat I was in.  It's kinda like the ocean, the tide comes in, the tide goes out.  One day, a lot of comments etc., the next day not so many.  Hopefully it all balances out.

posted by A_Norseman on November 9, 2004 at 10:37 PM | link to this | reply

QuirkyAlone

Exactly so - the comments listing brought it home to me.

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 10:30 PM | link to this | reply

You're right it is a thankless job. I always do my best to respond to

comments but sometimes it just doesn't happen. Been good reading you! Take care!

posted by Jay9 on November 9, 2004 at 10:22 PM | link to this | reply

BB,

I have felt invisible at times, too. I guess it just depends upon who is on at that particular time. I also didn't like when I was on the most comments list, as I knew that meant I was spending more time here than I really should. But all in all I guess I'm still enjoying the experience.

posted by Julia. on November 9, 2004 at 9:42 PM | link to this | reply

Angelz. Thank you

I am sorry I think gave the wrong impression. Overall I do receive many comments. I also make many comments but sometimes it is very tiring and when people are unsociable you begin to wonder why you bother

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 8:44 PM | link to this | reply

beach~~~

I know how it felt to be invisible ... not fun .. sad .. really... Things change around .. it will get better.  you said you didn't get any comments .. maybe the people you read and commented to were busy/ or not here at that time??? Anyhoo.. I hope your alright .. :)

posted by ANGELZ_MIND on November 9, 2004 at 8:14 PM | link to this | reply

I don't know beach -

must be the ::: comment to Merry ::: subliminal messages I :::comment on Merry::: put in my posts. ;-)

posted by MerryAnne on November 9, 2004 at 7:51 PM | link to this | reply

Hey Frankenkitty, I'll send you my new rules for commenting ;-)

I wasn't referring to anyone in particular just that feeling of being invisible

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 7:48 PM | link to this | reply

I'm sorry if I did't respond quickly Beachbelle.

If I'm at work, sometimes I have to cut-out fast. Duty calls...yada yada. Take care:)

posted by Flumpystalls3000 on November 9, 2004 at 7:28 PM | link to this | reply

Most of my comments are inane drivel--I just feel I have to say something

when I read a post--and I do read quite fast - so therefore I comment a lot. It will all end soon - I hid in here right now--my office I mean. Castle Crumble is a scary place to roam around in.

posted by Hollee on November 9, 2004 at 6:38 PM | link to this | reply

Hey Ben,

I think I may head for the beach and blow away the cobwebs. No commenting ...good plan.

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 5:47 PM | link to this | reply

Time to stopper the outlet

before the vast oceans of

writer's stuff are drained

away.

Take a joke?

Block yourself from commenting

for a few days and be bouncing

back.

All the best.

Ben

posted by A-and-B on November 9, 2004 at 5:38 PM | link to this | reply

AnnandBenjamin

I am in awe of your energy and tenacity. You seem to thrive on it and indeed made something of an art form of commenting. Meanwhile I feel like the life is being slowly sucked from me

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 5:31 PM | link to this | reply

We're feeding off your generous

passion for commenting.

No, really, we can't seem to get enough

of your critique.

Ben

posted by A-and-B on November 9, 2004 at 5:29 PM | link to this | reply

Talion

Yes, sometimes I don't post a comment ifall I can think of is good post. Trouble is I often never return

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 5:02 PM | link to this | reply

You're right Beach.

In the beginning I used to think I had to either "read everyone" and "comment to everyone" or else I wasn't being fair. Now, I've lost that mentality, and just do what I like with whomever I like. I keep whole conversations going with my favorites some nights for hours! LOL

posted by KlaraRoberts on November 9, 2004 at 4:53 PM | link to this | reply

Klara, I know who your favorites are.

I have noticed that you are reading and commenting more than ever now.

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 4:46 PM | link to this | reply

Mentifex

No comment back.

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 4:44 PM | link to this | reply

justsouno

Oh no, I don't like the idea of you feeling klutzy because of me, there is no need. Normality is to be desired - it conceals a multitude of eccentricities

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 4:43 PM | link to this | reply

belle

You're so normal. When I read your stuff I feel so smallish, childish, klutzy of well I can read and chat well, sometimes! lol 

posted by Justi on November 9, 2004 at 4:34 PM | link to this | reply

UntoldOne, I have tried too hard to be a diligent reader

and I should drop that and just write. Now I feel guilty too.

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 4:23 PM | link to this | reply

MerryAnne

Yep I only comment when there is something to say too. Beats me why I comment on you so much ;-)

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 4:17 PM | link to this | reply

You're in my "favs" though, Merry! You're one of my pit stops.

Funny how everyone I was referring to knows I was referring to them. I'm so boringly routine!!!

posted by KlaraRoberts on November 9, 2004 at 4:16 PM | link to this | reply

That's not true Klara,

you comment on me - but that's just to tell me I'm sweet ('cuz you know it really ticks me off.... LOL!)

posted by MerryAnne on November 9, 2004 at 4:10 PM | link to this | reply

Symphony, Satisfaction comes and goes don't you think?

No it just struck me on those occasions where I was communicating with loads of people and yet seemed to be invisible.

posted by beachbelle on November 9, 2004 at 4:07 PM | link to this | reply

You're one of the few I comment on, Beach.

But of course, you know that. I have my favorites that I always comment on, and that's about it, for me. Once in a while, if someone "riles" me up, or posts something exceptionally good, I'll comment on theirs. I always post to those that comment on mine, as it's the polite thing to do. But other than that, I cull the waters, for my "favs", each day and when I'm done with it, off I go.

posted by KlaraRoberts on November 9, 2004 at 4:06 PM | link to this | reply

I guess some people are never satisfied.....

whether you get read a lot and the ranking says so...but you don't get that many comments to your post and people rant about it

and then there are those who have lots of comments and moan that it is all chat....or they only said good post

....I think people ask too much from others....people should be happy that they get read at all or get any comments...whether it is chat or a simple hello or a good post...or a thought out comment...............does it matter that much

people have made friends here so does it hurt to talk and chat and catch up?

its ok beachbelle...me not meaning directly at you.....just making a point....................take care

posted by _Symphony_ on November 9, 2004 at 3:44 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle

Let me be the sixth person to apologise for reading your blogs and leaving no comments.  

posted by johnmacnab on November 9, 2004 at 3:36 PM | link to this | reply

I'm also one of those

I'll only comment if I have something to add - unless of course I'm trying to yank Hollee's chain - then I comment at will LOL! And I still made the most comments list.... maybe no one is commenting much anymore?

posted by MerryAnne on November 9, 2004 at 3:21 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle

I only comment when I have something worthwhile to add. I detest "Good post!" or any of those emoticon thingies. However, I always try to respond to comments left for me, however. It seems the proper think to do. 

posted by Talion on November 9, 2004 at 3:15 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle

I really appreciate your comments!

posted by Celeste632 on November 9, 2004 at 3:15 PM | link to this | reply

beachbelle . . .

This one got me.  Twitched the ol' guilt-thangy.

   I do read many of my favorite Bloggers, but rarely leave comments.  Not to sound hypocritical--though I am, I suppose--about this, and I know I urge others to make time for writing, but I don't have much spare time.  What little I do have is spent doing the things everybody must do: laundry, grocery-getting, copping booze, etc.

   I'll be much better off in 2005.

posted by UntoldOne on November 9, 2004 at 3:11 PM | link to this | reply

No comment.

posted by Mentifex on November 9, 2004 at 3:10 PM | link to this | reply