It’s occurred to me of late that I’m becoming like one of those dastardly politicians whose standard response is: ‘No comment’. Not in the same context, but equally inexcusable.
What I’m referring to is when we read blogs and either agree or disagree with them -think they’re fab or not -then don’t leave any comments. We’re all busy and I’m not suggesting we leave comments on all blogs all the time. What I’ve found I’ve been doing however is reading a post then sharing it on twitter if I think it’s worth sharing, but not giving any feedback to the author of the blog. Kind of mean. It’s almost parasitic behaviour-the only redeeming factor is I’m spreading the virus!
The number of comments as we know, does not reflect the number of readers. Chris Brogan gets at least 50 comments per post, but his readers would easily exceed 50,000. I’m lucky if I get one or two -because I’ve been a lazy twat lately and not entered a post for a long time – and it’s karma no doubt for me not leaving comments myself.
So I’m going to make a concerted effort to voice my gratitude and feedback to the writers. How about you? Because without it, they and their readers are not privy to your point of view which may have some real value.
Oh and no pressure to leave a comment 
Yours happy in my resolve
Siobhan
I’m fully committed never to leave a comment!
Oh – and I believe that 60% of stats are wrong
Siobhan – I think you are absolutely spot on, well done. I know my commenting activity has reduced since being on Twitter. And I was just thinking about this the other day and I musing on why comments on my blog entries had declined…
So I say I’m with you. Bring back the commenting, less of the RTing, let’s make the conversation more meaningful and less flippant.
Though at the risk of being a no-commenting fence-sitting, I-want-my cake-and-want-to-eat-it too, preferably-in-the-bed-I-have-made-and-wish-to-lie-in, I don’t mind a RT from time to time!!
How can I resist commenting. Actually – I find at any given time I have one or two blog-crushes where I will spend the time to comment and engage in conversation. At the moment they are http://contexts.org/socimages/ and as it happens, this site.
Ahhh, but you are a Comment Karma Queen Siobhan! You are the rare bird who does leave comments routinely.
I love this post and will to save this permalink for my students. Yes, there still is a lot of lurking out there and often it’s as you’ve identified: we aren’t comfortable leaving our opinions, don’t feel our opinions have value or just don’t feel it’s a time priority. All good points. But part of the beauty of commenting, forwarding and retweeting is that it’s an easy and effective way of participating in the conversation, especially for those who aren’t experienced content creators.
I’ve noticed that in some of the most commented posts the author will ask for comments or start a debate to get things going. And that’s what I like about your post – you encouraged comments, and of course with no pressure
I can’t think of a word to add, but I’m such a sucker for a guilt trip that I’m leaving this comment anyway
Hi, my name is Joe and I am a “no commenter”. Guilty as charged. This is the first step, correct? Thanks for voicing what I have been thinking I should be doing more, which is commenting. Thanks for setting me on the path to being a better participant.
Cheers,
J
Hi Siobhan,
Kerry
I just read your blog for the first time today … and got to it through your tweet! And you’re right, quite often I might just send a tweet saying I’m reading this or that … and not even leave a comment to let the writer of the blog know that I liked it. And it IS kind of mean! And I’ve been thinking that I should do more commenting so thanks for giving me the push!
I think we all have that problem as of late. BTW, thanks for pointing out my post on Twitter (no comment of course). No guilt now
Media saturation inures us against the provocation to comment.
Zac Martin and I had a rip-roaring argument in his guest post for Julian Cole. Like drunks in a bar, we’ve pushed each other to brink of fisticuffs, but instead revealed the nature of provocation in any debate and how audiences and participants react to it.
Good times I tells ya!
Hey there twitter buddy
I’ve said even less ever since Facebook added the lazy persons like/unlike box tick thing.
I’ve been desensitised by the volume of information that comes my way and just can’t be stuffed raging-against or even for every machine that comes my way.
I’m more likely to respond to happy kitten photos.
Have you got any?
Well i have another angle – I am a bit of a lurker on Twitter. I tweet – not daily – but i am almost scared to really dive in as it could be so time consuming. and ADDICTIVE:) i too found your site from twitter.