by Ylanne S.
Member since:
September 22, 2007

Why view and not leave a comment?

April 12, 2008 10:42 AM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 79
Why do so many people simply view content and not leave comments? One of the nice features of the new Gather is that you can see how many people viewed your content. And I discovered some alarming facts!

182 people viewed Crime Writers Contest Hosted By CWWH and there are 24 comments (about 1/2 are mine). 151 people viewed Being Christian in America in 2007/2008 but there are only 63 comments and about 12 are mine. 93 people viewed Brutal Honesty (part one) but there are only 27 comments, half of which are mine. 92 people viewed Uniquely ID'd As The Perfect Fit, but only 11 people left comments. No, make that 10. I know I left one. 72 people viewed The Finale Part One Revised Critiques Welcome, but there are only 25 comments and several are my own.

Why just view content and not leave a comment? Tell us if you loved it, hated it, hate our guts, think it needs improvement, disagree with us, admire it/us, or what. Writers/artists/photographers/video authors need feedback, even negative seeming feedback. (as long as it's relatively decent/respectful)

Every image/video/article I view on Gather I leave a comment on. Sometimes several. Please please please leave comments! We appreciate it more than you know!

Comments: 79

Ylanne S. Apr 12, 2008, 10:42am UTC
How many people are going to VIEW this article and not leave a comment?
Bonnie S. Apr 12, 2008, 10:52am UTC
I view a lot and don't comment, some times I don't have anything to say. But since you told me to , I commented : )
. .. Apr 12, 2008, 10:54am UTC
If I'm really pushing the points, I find something to say. Sometimes I'm just indifferent and like to stumble around and read a thing here or there. Every now and then I open an article and it's not what I was expecting. I don't always comment.
Richard Owl Mirror Apr 12, 2008, 10:57am UTC
How many people are going to VIEW this article and not leave a comment?

Isn't that a rhetorical question ?
I mean to say, you would not get an answer from those who "VIEW this article and not leave a comment" for the simple fact that they wouldn't have left a comment.

;>}
Bonnie F. Apr 12, 2008, 10:59am UTC
I've commented on almost everything that I read. If I open an article and it's a very heated political question and perhaps not my point of view, I will skip the comment to avoid getting into an argument. Otherwise, I comment on pictures, videos and articles.
A. F. Stewart Apr 12, 2008, 11:00am UTC
I do try to leave comments, but there are one or two reasons I don't, the main one being a misleading title. Sometimes you click on an article because it seems to be something of interest, only to find it is not what you thought. If this is the case, I may not even read the article.
At other rare times, I simply find I haven't anything to say, or it has already been said.
Ylanne S. Apr 12, 2008, 11:05am UTC
9 views, 6 comments. (the seventh is mine. So is the eighth.)
Ashley B. Apr 12, 2008, 11:22am UTC
The only times I do not comment is when I am pressed for time, but I usually try to come back to the content later. Or when my hands are too cramped up to type. I have RA and sometimes they hurt. Other times, I truly do not what to say - but even that is rare. I try to comment every chance I get, but keep in mind, if I don't comment and I do view it, I do read it. I'm not a mindless clicker that's view hungry.
Carl Lee Apr 12, 2008, 11:31am UTC
Ylanne, depending on how they got the view clicker programed, some of those views would be yours when you come back to check and read comments. (Some of those view clicks are set to show a new click, even if it's yours after only fifteen minutes.)
John Philipp Apr 12, 2008, 11:35am UTC
Not me :)
John S. (arizona) Apr 12, 2008, 11:39am UTC
Maybe there is nothing "value added" to say?
Maybe people follow the golden rule?
Maybe the comment thread has degraded into a pissing match?
Maybe since Gather said there are no points to be earned for comments, people stopped bothering?
Maybe the title made them think it was about some thing else?
Maybe....
Take care.
Mary McCartt Apr 12, 2008, 11:56am UTC
This happens when the title and the content dont match. I can be captured by a great title and then when I read the first few sentences, I realize that I am not interested in it. So I just cut my losses and leave. That in itself is a comment.
Sammie Brown Apr 12, 2008, 12:13pm UTC
I know what you mean. I've found some very interesting statistics, too. I always try to leave a comment on everything I view unless I run out of time and have to get off before I get a chance to read/watch.
Carl Lee Apr 12, 2008, 12:20pm UTC
I came back, so depending on how the clicker is set up, it may count me again.
Carl Lee Apr 12, 2008, 12:20pm UTC
If it's set for an hour for the same person viewing then it won't count me.
**AngelEyez** a. Apr 12, 2008, 12:25pm UTC
sometimes, I just have nothing good to say ,, I usually rate all articles a ten though,however Sometimes I dont have any words to express so I just buzz by...and sometimes i just forget to rate,but either way you still receive points for the page views
Janna, VP, Ennui Apr 12, 2008, 12:46pm UTC
"Why just view content and not leave a comment? Tell us if you loved it, hated it, hate our guts, think it needs improvement, disagree with us, admire it/us, or what. Writers/artists/photographers/video authors need feedback, even negative seeming feedback. (as long as it's relatively decent/respectful)"

Ha! That's a laugh and I have a whole collection of removed comments to prove it. There are a few people here that can handle comments that aren't fawning praise but the majority can't. Why take the time to leave a comment if its going to be removed?

I read far more than I comment on. Sometimes I just can't think of anything to add to the conversation, or I don't have the time to comment. I refuse to leave a "thanks for sharing" comment, unless I'm being sarcastic.
Stephanie B. Apr 12, 2008, 1:06pm UTC
What Janna said (who I stalked here).
Ina ♥ ♥ Apr 12, 2008, 1:17pm UTC
I agree with Janna and Stephanie. (I stalked both of them over here.)

Or, sometimes I start into an article and decide it doesn't really interest me. That doesn't mean someone else may not find it fascinating. I don't think it's right to say "Hey! I started to read this but got bored, so I left."
Having stalked Janna and Stephanie in here, I agree. I also don't leave "Thanks for sharing!" or "A ten for you!" comments, and I find them insulting if someone leaves either on my articles.

I also don't comment on articles where the author is being purposely provocative and/or argumentative. I don't comment on articles that ignore the rules of grammar, capitalization, punctuation or use internet acronyms as words. In theses cited instances, since I couldn't say anything nice, I won't say anything at ll and that's probably best for all involved.
Ina ♥ ♥ Apr 12, 2008, 1:24pm UTC
You didn't stalk ME here, Joy? *pouting*
Wurdzgurl !!! Apr 12, 2008, 1:25pm UTC
I stalked you here though Ina!
Ina ♥ ♥ Apr 12, 2008, 1:28pm UTC
Thank you, Wurdz. I don't feel quite as unloved any more.
Sheila Deeth Apr 12, 2008, 1:34pm UTC
I have a bad memory for titles. Often I'll click on something I've read before - sometimes I'll leave a new comment; sometimes I'll have nothing more to say and move on. Some people don't like the one-word "hi" type comments, but I also have a bad memory for which people prefer nothing to almost nothing.
lynn a. Apr 12, 2008, 1:36pm UTC
The Number One reason I will not leave a comment is that by doing so I am adding to and/or fueling a feud, or one person's attack of another. That's #1. On a few occasions the thoughts expressed have been so wrong to me that I can in no way agree with them and feel no need to disagree. I do not get bored easily, so any topic will interest me generally, and I will use a nice article type comment just to show I've been there and read what was posted. On occasion I am truly stumped as to what to say. Poetry is sometimes difficult for me in that the poem will be beautiful to me, touching me in some way, yet I have no words to express my own feelings, and those are difficult. I end up with this is beautiful and feel so lousy in the actual worthlessness of my comment. That's when the thought that I never said I walked on water comes in handy. I can accept my lack in quality of my own comment.
Ina, we were here in tandem. I had to post to see you -- you know I'd follow you anywhere. Also, above, change "theses" the "these." I don't know HOW that happened.
Carl Lee Apr 12, 2008, 2:16pm UTC
It's been over an hour this time, so it should count me this time and give another page view.
Carl Lee Apr 12, 2008, 2:17pm UTC
Oh, and I rated you a 10 this time.
mary J. Apr 12, 2008, 2:27pm UTC
I say to myself "may be, not leaving a comment is better for me than leaving a comment"... Thanks to God, may be this comment I claim for contain revile or insults.

My article "Fitna" has about 200 views and 115 comments, half of them by me and third of the other half was a discussion between two or three.
Judith Beckman Apr 12, 2008, 2:46pm UTC
Sometimes I don't know what to say. That's why I don't leave a comment. Also I refuse to be a discourager of anyone's efforts on Gather. If I read something that doesn't necessarily grab me, I'm not going to comment negatively. That's life! Although we listen, we don't always comment.
Beaker (just Beaker) Apr 12, 2008, 2:57pm UTC
I think John S., upthread, covered all the possibilities. My won perspective is, I'd rather than a half dozen thoughtful comments from people I know than fifty "10 for you"s from strangers. If I was looking for poionts, maybe I wouldn't feel that way, but then I'd also post more than a couple of articles a month.
Beaker (just Beaker) Apr 12, 2008, 3:00pm UTC
Won=own.
I'd rather than=I'd rather have
If I was=If I were
Poionts=you figure it out.

I believe that's a personal best ;-)
Larry P. Apr 12, 2008, 3:17pm UTC
Believe it or not , I just don't usually have the time to comment on every comment . Sometimes the comments were directed to a friend and I was just along for the ride .
Wendy C. Apr 12, 2008, 3:25pm UTC
I read and do a drive by 10 a lot, because I have nothing of value to add, or I'm on the run and don't have time.
Katie R. Apr 12, 2008, 4:00pm UTC
I leave comments on 99% of the articles and images I view ..
Ylanne S. Apr 12, 2008, 4:48pm UTC
To El Homo Fabuloso:

I actually LIKE it when people disagree with me. So please, look through my articles and if you see something you agree/disagree with, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE tell me. I'll be happy to debate (reasonably and respectfully) with you.

But yes, I agree that there are many people who would begin to act like two year olds when disagreed with. I happen to be an exception. Maybe I'll write an article about how I'm a nonconformist in every way possible. Hmm....

47 views, 40 comments. Well now 41. Three comments are mine.
Ylanne S. Apr 12, 2008, 4:50pm UTC
To J.K. Sather:

Well, yes generic comments like "ten for you" aren't very great, but at least we know SOMETHING about how someone feels; although I would prefer a more drawn out comment. I'm guilty of leaving generic comments, but I try my hardest to leave thoughtful and hopefully helpful ones.
Ylanne S. Apr 12, 2008, 4:53pm UTC
To Janna:

I have only removed one comment in my entire Gather career....because it was disrespectful. But there are so many comments on many of my articles that are either criticism or harsh disagreement that I just left there, and even replied to, because I actually like it when people critique my work, and I enjoy disagreement. None of my friends agree with any of my political/religious/philosophical opinions. But we're still friends. It makes for interesting conversation.
Austin Cushing Apr 12, 2008, 5:25pm UTC
Because some people just like reading content (including people who aren't on Gather, and aren't about to sign up for Gather just to leave a comment.)
Austin Cushing Apr 12, 2008, 5:25pm UTC
This comment is to let you know that this content has reached at least ten comments, and as such has been removed from Comment Speedway! Congratulations!
Alison Pearce Apr 12, 2008, 5:28pm UTC
Hey, at least they are looking Ylanne! Look on the bright side!
Valerie C. Apr 12, 2008, 6:06pm UTC
I don't always leave comments. There will be times that I will read something and have no comment. I don't always have something to say. Which, being a female, may seem odd........
Kenneth B. Apr 12, 2008, 6:36pm UTC
I try to leave a comment, but sometimes feel what I wanted to say has been said, or just can't come up with anything to add. But I had to enter a comment to this one.
elizabeth evans Apr 12, 2008, 6:37pm UTC
I think Big Brothers at Gather stop by...view an article...but don't want us to know they are privy to our rants...they read...they laugh or smile...or what have you...then they move on.
Susan L. Apr 12, 2008, 9:29pm UTC
I want what I say to actually contribute to the conversation. So if it's been said already, I don't say it again. Other than that, the only other reason I wouldn't comment would be if the content just doesn't merit the effort.
Janna, VP, Ennui Apr 13, 2008, 12:08am UTC
Ylanne--good to know. I make a mental note of comment removers and usually avoid commenting on their stuff. I also realize comments are sometimes accidentally removed or removed because they are spam or contain a giant inappropriate sparkly thing. If I see a thread with removed comments and a subsequent explanatory comment to that effect by the author in the comment thread, I take that into account.
Sujata (friendly 'Suji' ) S. Apr 13, 2008, 1:29am UTC
Ssometimes only out of the concised time-duration when i sit to view online

i do leave comments fully aware of for 99.7% as involved

not compelling but positive participation !!!
Linda K. Apr 13, 2008, 2:06am UTC
LOL@ Tinch! I didn't stalk anyone here. I came to read feedback on why people may not leave a comment on articles/photos they've viewed. I leave comments on 95% of what I view. The rest of the time, I'm too tired to put together a comprehensible sentence, don't have anything sincere to say, feel it's all been said, or feel what comes to mind is too trite.
LittleMissSunshine A. Apr 13, 2008, 8:13am UTC
i like knowing how many people read my stuff, even if they don't always comment. I'm glad Gather shows views now. It makes you feel like you've had more readership.
Katherine M. Apr 13, 2008, 8:25am UTC
I usually try to comment and yes I am guilty of the "thank you for sharing" comment once in a while. But I always try to comment. I don't always agree with content but I have found, like others have stated, that a lot of my comments aren't appreciated for what they are ... MY OPINION ... So occationally I won't bother to comment.
Renda B. Apr 13, 2008, 8:34am UTC
I leave comments, sometimes it may be short and generic...but I always leave a comment. I think it's just to let the person who took the time to post the article/image know I at least stopped by and rated their work.
Daniel Irwin Tucker Apr 13, 2008, 11:50am UTC
I HATE YOUR GUTS!!

Ah, now that I got your attention. Speaking of "attention;" I agree with many of the above that said they just kind of cruise around looking for something interesting enough to even read through. Time is a key factor in this. I don't think most gatherers have the time to read everything they stumble across. Especially when it's a long article.

But I do try to read through and comment. I think we all like feedback. Cheers.
Ron Hall Apr 13, 2008, 2:27pm UTC
I was delighted to learn that there were more instances of my post getting visited than the people who commented. It makes it all seem more worthwhile.
Robin G. Apr 13, 2008, 2:40pm UTC
To add on to what most have already said--sometimes by the time I join an article, what I've wanted to say has been said 18 times already so there's no sense repeating. Or I stick to the golden rule half the time, other times I know that the writer is going to delete my comments anyway because they can't deal with people disagreeing. Or, like others, I just get bored.
Bethany C. Apr 13, 2008, 7:36pm UTC
Several reasons.
Sometimes I'm in a hurry and an interesting article catches my eye. I start to read it and my husband hollers, "Come on, we're late!" So I have to close it and run.
Other times, my computer freezes up. By the time I get it going again, resisting the urge to take a baseball bat to it, some other life crisis happens. Or somebody wants to come in and just look up 'one little thing' on my computer. Several hours later when I get it back, I've forgotten what I was doing.
But honestly, sometimes I go to an article and I read the whole thing and I'm just having an 'I don't want to talk to another living human being today' day.
Or I remember the old Mom saying, "If you can't say something nice, don't say anything."
Or I'm afraid that what I really think will turn someone's lovely article into a battleground and blood will be shed.
Mostly though, I comment. (I generally have a problem keeping my mouth shut, anyway)
Carrie C. Apr 14, 2008, 1:05pm UTC
No comment is a comment.
Vera B. Apr 14, 2008, 1:22pm UTC
I'm leaving a comment although I have nothig new to say, it's already been covered.
amy s. Apr 14, 2008, 4:51pm UTC
I do not know why people do not leave comments but I always do
Ylanne S. Apr 14, 2008, 7:54pm UTC
101 views, and 64 comments. (this is view 101 and comment numero 64)

So that makes 37 views without leaving a comment. :(

Leave comments!!!! >:O
Jan S. Apr 15, 2008, 3:53am UTC
If I take the time to read an article or look at a photo or video, I'm certainly going to rate it and leave a comment. I like reading people's comments on my submissions and on others' too. I don't care much for the cut and paste "Thanks for sharing", but at least it's a comment...barely.
DIANE D. Apr 15, 2008, 8:36pm UTC
Not I, I truely enjoyed reading this and agree/
Ylanne S. Apr 15, 2008, 8:43pm UTC
Yay!!!! 66 comments!! (103 views)
Ylanne S. Apr 15, 2008, 8:53pm UTC
I'm sorry. Writers are high-maintainance people--I'm surprised others put up with us at all. Well.....Entering Winning Writers's War Poetry Contest. And memorizing last year's second place-"Gasoline" by Julian Damanas. It's such an awesome poem-incorporates Latin, current events, the Jewish prayer for the dead, Islamic prayer, and an Eastern mantra? Anyways, it's AWESOME. :)
Jan C. Apr 15, 2008, 11:37pm UTC
I usually comment - but once recently I was so moved and pondering how to respond that I never got back to answering...

I was captivated by your title because I too was surprised by the number of people who viewed and didn't comment!! Interesting.......
Kamran Q. Apr 26, 2008, 1:59am UTC
Now here's a nice string of comments!
April H. May 16, 2008, 3:59pm UTC
For me I have to many friends to leave comments on hundreds of content. So I view * rate 10's on all of there content, but only if it stirs me do I leave a commetn. After all you get points for only views. And with well over 1000 connections I do not have time to commetn on every one but I do look at thre content. And we both get points even if I do not commet. And today I have viewed all of your article content. so there should be a small spike in your points.
Adelaide M. May 16, 2008, 4:06pm UTC
A lot of times, I will view the article, read it, and have something inflammatory to say, so I will back out of the article until I can find a way to say whatever it is without pissing off a ton of people.

I will generally comment on everything I read, but sometimes it takes me a few minutes to come up with something intelligent to use as a rebuttal as opposed to just "are you dumb?", which clearly isn't going to do any good.

While I don't really care if people don't agree with me, that is after all the point of the site, I'd like to disagree without emotions involved and using logic and reason to argue my point.
~*~Danyale~*~ N. May 31, 2008, 3:58am UTC
well as with me i always comment if i view something if it isn't nothin but a simple 10 but the glory is that everyone has a right to do as they please if they open somethin up and its not exactly what they cared for then they should have the right to leave without leaving anything because think of it this way would you want someone opening ur page and scannin the first 3 sentences and not wanting to read more but yet u would want them to leave a message hey sry not interested thats a waste of time especially people who r on dialup like myself
~*~Danyale~*~ N. May 31, 2008, 3:58am UTC
Not saying i do this like i said but its still a right for others to choose...
Donna Tinus Aug 22, 2008, 1:24am UTC
sometimes you just don't have anything to say - but you still get points when someone just views without commenting
Alex in Wonderland Sep 2, 2008, 1:15pm UTC
I lurk. I like to read more than I like to comment. I usually don't have anything of value to say so I just sit here and nod my head in agreement or shake in disagreement. Sometimes i leave stupid comments just for the heck of it. I do that more with pictures. If I think something is pretty I will say so. But a lot of people think that an agreement or two words doesn't add anything good to articles so I don't write anything. Sometimes I have a lot to say but someone else already said it like I would have so there is no reason to say it again. Sometimes I start responding then realize I am bored and leave. It all depends on this or that.
Alex in Wonderland Sep 2, 2008, 1:16pm UTC
And I just realized that everything I have said has already been said. Just like I said.
luckky _. Sep 21, 2008, 3:11pm UTC
It's why I stopped writing articles!
Kimbeaux E. Jan 25, 2009, 10:21am UTC
Why don't I leave comments? Generally, it's because I don't have anything meaningful to say. Or someone plagiarized my thought before I thunk it. ;D Lastly, I might be in the mood to let conversation wash over and around me, enjoying the interactions without needing to claim the spotlight.
Barb Carlson Jan 25, 2009, 4:31pm UTC
And then again, Kim, maybe you're just lazy. (insert big grin here)

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