To Comment, or Not to Comment- that is the question

May 7, 2008

The other day I was chatting with my dear friend, Helen, who is a charming hottie whose just getting started at 60-ish. An avid traveler, Helen has turned her photography hobby into a going concern and recently had a show in one of the Harvard galleries. We met while studying for our adult bat mitzvahs in 1999 and have been fast girlfriends since (our little circle also includes Pam, a brilliant science writer and her new bundle of joy, Emma)

I Love it But

Anyway, Helen was telling me how much she really liked the blog. That means a lot to me since this blog is a labor of love as well as my retirement project. Then, Helen lowered her voice and said, ‘I think it’s great, but you know, I’ll never leave a comment’.

Flabbergasted, I didn’t think to ask her why, but I can guess. I bet my answers are probably similar to the things you might think about blog commenting. So, let’s clear up a few misconceptions, shall we?

Three Excuses for Not Commenting Debunked

I have nothing to say/add

Blogging is a conversation. It takes two people (ok, I talk to myself so maybe it doesn’t always take two, but you know what I mean). The exchange of thoughts and ideas is what matters most, not whether you have a sparkling wit or the answer to world peace.

If you have a thought after reading a post, share it. We’re all better for it. Your comment doesn’t have to be long or even agree with me.

People will know it’s me

Only if you want them to know it’s you. Most folks add their comments with a simple first name only. That’s fine with me. For obvious reasons I don’t want a slew of annoymous comments, but it’s ok to use your a different name, say your middle name or a nickname, to add your comment.

Interesting thing about the internet, it gives the perception of anonymity so sometimes people feel more comfortable sharing their true thoughts…and secrets.

Check out PostSecret, an ongoing community where people anonymously submit their secrets on homemade postcards. I find it fascinating, intriquing, sad and generally very human. Meaning, it shows that we all desire connection with each other. Besides, this blog is addictively good.


I’ll do it later when I think of something good to say

See first bullet, please. You never know if what you add is exactly what someone else needs to read or know. I experience this as I read other blogs. Reading someone else’s thinking expands my own, especially when I’m feeling stubborn.

And, you and I both know that you’ll be busy later doing something else. So, there’s no time like the present to drop a comment.

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