Are you a Silent Reader?

Posted by Joyce Stevens October 10, 2008 at 9:43 a.m.

In a Citizen Journalism Academy meeting that I attended several months ago, we discussed whether the number of comments following a blog post was an indication of how many people had read the post. There was much agreement that the number of comments left was not necessarily an indication of how many times the post was read. Every time I post a blog entry, I experience some angst about what kind of reaction it will receive. Once I have posted an entry, I check back often to see what comments have been made. When a post receives a few positive comments, I start to relax. So far, all of my entries have received at least a few comments and most of them have been positive and/or encouraging. Thank you to those who leave comments. I really appreciate the feedback. But if you read my posts and don't leave a comment, I understand. I read a lot of blogs and online articles and try to keep up with the new posts in the "Reader Blogs" section in the online LJ World. I only leave a comment if I feel that I have something relevant to say. So, according to this blog, I guess I could be considered a silent reader. And I'm o.k. with that. Are there more silent readers out there? How often do you post a comment after a blog? Do you feel an obligation to leave a comment or do you leave comments only when you feel compelled by the content of the post?

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

Joyce, It will be interesting to see the responses on your blog. At one of our last meetings, we were told that some of our top read posts had as many as five thousand hits, but the number of comments was anywhere from two hundred to 1,450. This information told me what I already suspected: a lot of "silent" readers in our midst! :)I usually comment only if I feel I have something to add to the discussion, I am really bored, or I want to start a fight.....
October 10, 2008 at 9:53 a.m.
manus_flexibilis (anonymous) says…

hacking/Heckling
October 10, 2008 at 10:39 a.m.
bndairdundat (anonymous) says…

Yeah but indiemike, sometimes a "misinformed" response can get the fires burning. ;{)
October 10, 2008 at 10:56 a.m.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…

Yep,Pretty much annoys those around me if I read out loud.
October 10, 2008 at 11 a.m.
tangential_reasoners_anonymous (anonymous) says…

I almost never "read"... I jump to the reader comments, free-associate, and let my fingertips do the talking.
October 10, 2008 at 11:15 a.m.
fleeba (anonymous) says…

I tend to be a silent reader, only in the fact that i read most online blogs and such later in the afternoon, after many many comments have already been written. Someone has almost always already stated what I would have said, so I don't think it would gain anything by stating it again. Just my comment for the day :)
October 10, 2008 at 12:07 p.m.
femail (Linda Hanney) says…

Joyce--I read a lot of on line articles that offer an opportunity to comment. I usually don't. I feel more at ease in this forum because I know the people who are writing. That is important to me, I guess.
October 10, 2008 at 5:52 p.m.
bad_dog (anonymous) says…

Quiet please, I'm trying to read ;-)
October 10, 2008 at 7:18 p.m.
jystevens (Joyce Stevens) says…

Ronda - That is really interesting about the number of hits versus the number of comments. It might be fun to have a counter on each blog post so we could see how many visitors each post gets.Indie - Yes - taking the negatives with humor is good advice. Thanks!Fleeba - I often fiind that someone else has said what I think too. Don't see any reason to repeat it.Linda - I know what you mean. I feel really connected to some of my fellow bloggers on this site too - at least enough that I am comfortable commenting. I think it's because some of us have CJA in common and I have met some of you in person. Thank you to eveyone for the comments!
October 10, 2008 at 7:40 p.m.
Zype (anonymous) says…

I typically do not leave comments on anything unless I feel a response is needed.
October 15, 2008 at 3:09 a.m.
FMT6488 (anonymous) says…

I'm usually like fleeba - I tend to read articles, blogs, etc. late in the day after many comments have already been made (sometimes it may be a day or two after posting before I read some). Even when I am one of the first few commenting, I tend to comment only on the postings that either hit a nerve, or something of the sort. I tend to keep my opinions to myself most times.>"Opinions are only good for one thing - annoying others." Quote from either the Dali lama or The Buddha (I can'y remember which)
October 15, 2008 at 4:14 a.m.
kansascrone (Virginia Rigney) says…

hi joyce - i tend to be a silent reader for the most part but i do appreciate your post. i don't post as often as i'd like and i only comment when i feel i have something important to add to the conversation.
October 15, 2008 at 10:22 a.m.
sgb (Sandy Beverly) says…

I tend to be a silent reader, mostly b/c I don't have much time.... But I sometimes make a point to write something positive when a post has gotten some unnecessarily rude or negative comments.Would be nice to know how many people have read our posts, wouldn't it?Sandy
October 16, 2008 at 2:31 p.m.
1retrodifference (anonymous) says…

People blog, right..We should just say what we mean, true..And even better, is..
February 3, 2009 at 4:38 p.m.
cloggedjhawk (Wendy magillicutty) says…

I didn't realize that to comment after reading a blog was customary or the online culture. I'm way too flippertygibbit to do so on every blog I read.
February 3, 2009 at 4:46 p.m.
cloggedjhawk (Wendy magillicutty) says…

btw and ps...because of the Preview comment on LJW, I've often written entire comments and then not posted them because I forgot to Submit after proofreading.
February 3, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.