I’ve been around to websites with high page ranks and I see some comments from people who obviously only want the link back. They’ll say something like “good idea!” or something short and just barely on topic. I never wanted to be one of those people who does that. I realize the value in the comment link, but I still think it’s important to read the entries and comment accordingly. That’s why I can’t do the 70 comments in 20 minutes like my friends do. At least, I hope that’s why.
But yesterday I admit I made a mistake. I went to a website and in an effort to relate to the post and comment (because she had no comments and I like to help people boost numbers) I commented on a personal relation and thought of her post. Basically her post had an IM conversation and then a long post by her. I read the IM convo and immediately went to the comments because I could relate so well to what she was saying.
I got an email today with her reply basically calling me stupid. In the entry below the conversation she had said quite a lot relating to the same conclusion I commented about. So a silly comment where I thought I could relate to the author turned me into an ass. Why? Because I didn’t read the entire 1005 word post (I put it in my word counter).
So it seems like the meaningless comments are working better for people, but I still refuse to do it that way. I’ll continue reading the posts and adding my 2 cents, but I think it’s time to stop commenting on entries I don’t have the patience to finish.
Anyway, my apologies to the person who thinks I only wanted to satisfy a link exchanging site (which I am not a member of) and I hope you had a little giggle at my expense. Because, what’s life without fun?
I’m the same way. When I comment, I try to say something useful. I’ve never been emailed back like that, but I’m sure it’ll happen sometime. Those long posts are hard to get through.
September 11, 2007 @ 2:38 pmI wasn’t ‘emailed’, the girl had a thing set up on her site where it emails the commenter. She replied to my comment and it sent it to me through email.
Yeah, I wish I had what it takes to write an entry that long.
September 11, 2007 @ 5:58 pm[puts up hand] Yes, hi there. It’s me; the Big Bad Nasty website owner.
Here’s the deal: You say that you “read the IM convo” but you obviously didn’t, really, because the part you replied to was, in fact, in that part of the post. The rest of the post was, indeed, long waffle about an in-joke that only one or two people would get. I don’t really expect anyone to read it, other than the one person it was aimed at. It wasn’t “quite a lot [of words] relating to the same conclusion I commented about”; as mentioned, that conclusion had already been mentioned in the ’short’ part of the post.
You’re trying to paint yourself as some kind of altruistic martyr here by saying that you were trying to “help” me by “boosting my numbers”, but apparently it didn’t occur to you that maybe I don’t want my ‘numbers boosted’. To be perfectly honest, I mostly blog for myself and my immediate friends; especially in posts like this that are 90% in-joke (and are really aimed for my LiveJournal friends, where the blog is mirrored). I neither want nor appreciate your ‘comments pity’.
Lest anyone get the wrong impression, I don’t mind random strangers dropping by making comments… but if they can’t even be bothered to read my posts properly (yes, I write a lot; so what? No-one’s forcing you to read and respond to it), then I’m not going to be bothered to be civil in response. [shrugs]
September 11, 2007 @ 6:36 pmYou seem to get offended very easily, and I’m sorry I bother you so much.
I wasn’t trying to ‘boost your numbers’, but trying to boost participation. Not even necessarily for your benefit, but because I appreciate when people comment on my posts.
I never said you were nasty and I didn’t even list your site. This isn’t about starting a war with you, or I would have mentioned your site.I’m a nice person, I’m not trying to get on your bad side.
If your aim isn’t commenters, why did you join a site meant to bring in more commenters? I ask because you mentioned that I must be from one of those sites.
I read your IM conversation, mostly the first part. I read that you, or the other person, said something to the effect of ‘thinking’ you were reading, but it was jibberish, when I was saying I’ve seen words, but they were probably because I had already read the book. After a while I found myself reading some sentences multiple times and still not grasping what the point was, but either way, if you don’t like my input just delete it, why waste your time on this? I tried apologizing for bothering you so much, it’s only made you more mad, so I’m just dropping it.
September 11, 2007 @ 7:32 pmOuch! I hate these situations where you try to do your best, and no matter how good your intentions (and attempts to rectify any errors), you’re always wrong.
It just happens sometimes. Try and take a break and do something you enjoy. Try not to let it get you down. :)
September 12, 2007 @ 3:36 amI try to comment to things and be relevant, but sometimes I’ve noticed that I fail at it. So, then I just leave because I can’t really add anything decent and meaningful to the conversation…like I’m prolly doing now. :(
September 12, 2007 @ 2:44 pmNah, you’re good, Jenny!
September 12, 2007 @ 2:50 pm