
In
this wonderland that we call a book-blogging community, we are mostly
tit-for-tat. You show me yours and I'll show you mine. (Comments. I'm talking
about comments.) It's amazing. Welcoming. Friendly. Helpful. And,
at times, exhausting.
Our entire comment culture is,
theoretically, a wonderful thing. And I'm not just saying this because 99% of
all our bloggish friendships and connections were made that way. (Though
possibly I am.) It's a way for a new blogger to discover a community, and for a
community to discover new blogs. It's a way to make blogging into an
interactive experience it was meant to be. It's also a way to gently insert
yourself into your favorite bloggers' heads and hearts and take over their
brains.
What was I saying? Oh, yes.
Comments. Recently in the book-blogging community alone, the comment-for-comment
principle was criticized by Tonyalee @ LilyBloomBooks, where she argued against
the obligation to leave comments as a form of 'thanks' rather than because we
have something to contribute to a post. And Shannon @ It Starts At Midnight
wrote a wonderful (and infinitely relatable) post about the general feelings of inadequacy when we fail to
respond and comment back in a timely fashion.
And people think blogging is a relaxing hobby. (Hahaha. No.)
And people think blogging is a relaxing hobby. (Hahaha. No.)
The art of commenting is at times
strenuous and difficult and takes up exactly 29 hours in a day.
But both the up sides and the
down sides of blog comments do raise a question: who is it that we actually
comment for? And why do we take the time to do it?
So I've conducted a scientific
poll* and come to this conclusion: we largely think that we
comment for the sake of the blogger.
* By 'scientific', I
mean: my Statistics professor would cry. And not of happiness.
Exactly no one, I think, is surprised. We've made stats-increase into an art form. We sometimes answer 'What does your blog-" with "A HUNDRED AND FIVE COMMENTS" before the question is even spoken. Commenting increases the blog's stats. It raises the numbers. And we as bloggers tend to really like to see the numbers rise. So it's easy, if not justified, to view the process of commenting as something we do for others. The three most common reasons for commenting that I could unearth are these:

Any active participant in the community is somewhat guilty of this. Some more than others. (And me more than most.) We settle into a community we enjoy, amass a number of favorite blogger humans, and just... follow them exclusively. The comments have more to do with our enjoyment of their humanly/bloggerly selves than it does with any particular post. We'll comment on everything. Because nice humans deserve it. (And you can't really argue with this point.)

The second most prominent reason is the one which prompted this post. We are either returning 'the favor of a comment', or leaving a comment in anticipation of said 'favor' returned. It's a dog-eat-dog world out there, my friends. And we are all just trying to stay afloat. And get comments. And not see our blog reduced to a diary.

Not that I'm biased or anything, but this is my favorite reason. We comment not due to the familiarity with the blog/blogger, or because we want them to love us and cherish us and promise us lots of caffeine and Nutella. Rather, we comment because the topic is such that we can't... not comment. We have something to say. The blogger missed an important point. (As I very likely am presently. It's the Circle of Blog.) We need to add our two cents.
*
And each and every single one of these reasons is... reasonable. And familiar. And it contributes to our 29-hour commenting days. So it isn't as though we need more reason. But because I am nothing if not truly unhelpful, I am here to suggest another reason for taking the time to leave a blog comment:
*
And each and every single one of these reasons is... reasonable. And familiar. And it contributes to our 29-hour commenting days. So it isn't as though we need more reason. But because I am nothing if not truly unhelpful, I am here to suggest another reason for taking the time to leave a blog comment:

NOT so the blogger will love us back. NOT so we'd have x number of comments on our posts. We comment because, in doing so, we become an active participant in the workings of another blog.
Blog comments are not the same as book reviews. They aren't something postfact wherein we evaluate a finished product with no way of shaping said product. Blogging is fluid, continuous, and flexible. As commenters, we can help steer the blog in a direction we'd love to see explored. We can get more of what we'd love to see discussed in the future. We can help a blogger determine what works and what doesn't (for both themselves and us). WE can shape the content that WE get to read.
Favors to others are great and all. But sometimes it helps the extrinsic motivation become intrinsic when we think of A Thing as a favor to ourselves.

But these were only my two cents. And, frankly, I've probably invested both in a cup of coffee by now, along with 298 of their friends. So perhaps, just perhaps, I'm entirely wrong.
So talk to us, lovelies. What prompts you to leave a comment, and how do you feel when your comment is 'heard'? Do you feel like you comment exclusively for others, or do you sometimes to it in order to marry the blogs you love with the content you'd love to see? Are your comments ever in the form of feedback? And how do you feel about receiving such comments on your blogs?
So talk to us, lovelies. What prompts you to leave a comment, and how do you feel when your comment is 'heard'? Do you feel like you comment exclusively for others, or do you sometimes to it in order to marry the blogs you love with the content you'd love to see? Are your comments ever in the form of feedback? And how do you feel about receiving such comments on your blogs?
37 Comments
I leave a comment when I have something to say about the post. :) I don't like copy-paste comments or standard comments just to receive one back. I do love getting comments on my posts though. :)
ReplyDeleteI comment to posts that intrigue me and to ones I feel a friendship with the blogger or we share similar taste in books. Overall I must be weird because I enjoy commenting and talking to others about books. Sometimes i do get too busy to comment back and that's okay I think, but I make it a point to comment back on anyone that comments on my blog at least. However, I don't want anyone to feel required to comment on mine unless they want too. Commenting is such a fun way to get to know other bloggers and talk about books and really I think however anyone wants to do their commenting is perfectly okay!! :)
ReplyDeleteAnd true, we all love comments though!
DeleteActually the #1 reason I comment is to say thank you. I don't really see it as a give/get thing?? For me, it totally translates to real life -- If an actual IRL human takes the time out of their day to say "hey how are you/would you like a piece of cake" I'm going to respond. HECK YES. Politeness! So it baffles me that comments can be seen as tit-for-tat...when isn't it just being polite not to ignore people? :P But that's just my opinion. I did a post recently on how to increase comments so clearly I'm all for them! heh.
ReplyDeleteAwesome post! There are definitely so many different reasons why I comment - most of them are up here above - but another reason why I comment is because I want to express my views about a certain topic or to fangirl about a book haha xD
ReplyDeleteGeraldine @ Corralling Books
Lexie can I just say that I am so damn happy to have stumbled onto this blog and meet your posts? You're writing voice is perfect. I feel like you've stolen the voice out of my head - in a way that isn't nearly as creepy as I am making it out to be. Just... thank you, that's what I'm trying to say. I think I'm going to be a regular stalker here now. Just letting you know... :P
ReplyDeleteAnyway, yes, yes, and maybe another yes to this post. I agree so wholeheartedly that we do maybe post comments initially as a thank you but in the end, we're really just doing it to interact. If I didn't have anything to say on your post, I wouldn't comment. I do believe in commenting back, but not as a tit-for-tat thing necessarily. I think it's important to keep your network open. It's easy to fall into a pattern of only interacting with your closest friends/favourite bloggers but blogging is about talking and interacting and commenting lets you start up new conversations, make friends, all those wonderful exciting things.
I don't care about the number of comments I get, really, I just care that people are taking the time out of their lives to read my posts, write a comment and engage me in a conversation about books. I love commenting. I love getting comments. It's my primary way of communicating to bloggers, and I think it's fantastic. If I hadn't comment on your blog recently or you on mine or however I got here, I wouldn't have found your blog and I'm a much happier blogger to have stumbled onto your corner of the interwebs. Commenting is such an important, good tool that shouldn't be doubted, I think.
Anyway, sorry for this long, rambling comment!
So much yes. Like, I cannot even explain. I comment for a few reasons, and I think you outlined them all! Nice humans, guilt, genuinely liking the post, and just because I love chatting with other bloggers- and sometimes a nice combo of all four hahah. The guilt ones are kind of the worst though, let's be real. I have gone back to blogs multiple times trying to find something to comment on- and that's just silly, yes? I need to stop this.
ReplyDeleteBut AMEN to the 29-hour comment day, this is my life hahah. And THANK YOU for linking to my post, you are the sweetest! And of course- yes, I LOVE comments, they make me smile SO much. I get a pretty solid case of the sads without them. But at the same time, I wouldn't want anyone to feel forced. I think I'd be cool with feedback! I mean, that's what the comment section is there for, so have at it! :D
this is really nice to read..informative post is very good to read..thanks a lot!
ReplyDeleteSEO Service
judi bola online
ReplyDeletesitus judi online
situs judi bola resmi
Selebtoto
ReplyDeleteSitus Togel Online
Your blog provided us with valuable information to work with. Each & every tips of your post are awesome. Thanks a lot for sharing. Keep blogging..
ReplyDeletepasar taruhan bola
It is a great website.. The Design looks very good.. Keep working like that!.
ReplyDeleteTogel Online
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for such kinda informative post and your post looks very interesting for me.
ReplyDeleteJudi Online
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteBagi kalian yang menyukai pertandigan sepak bola dan bingung untuk melihat dmna score akhir dan disaat kapan dan menit keberapa team yang kalian sukai mencak angka kalian dapat langsung mengujungi Livescore Bola
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to discover your post as it will become on top in my collection of favorite blogs to visit.
ReplyDeletePrediksi Togel
Thanks for sharing this amazing content...it helps me a lot.
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteAre you looking a photo editor for your website ? I have 4 year experience choose a service listed below.
Remove background
photo editing
Color change
Resizing
Croping
Clipping path
background removal
Regards
gmrabiulislam2
MenangQQ merupakan salah satu situs permainan kartu Online terbaik, aman dan terpercaya dengan persentase kemenangan yang tinggi saat ini di Indonesia. Situs ini juga menyediakan berbagai macam permainan poker online uang asli yang populer dengan sistem dan server stabil yang mudah di akses kapanpun dan dimanapun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantabulous post this has been. Never seen this kind of useful post. I am grateful to you and expect more number of posts like these. Thank you very much.
ReplyDeleteBandar Bola Online
Whether you are involved in affiliate marketing, selling items through ClickBank, or promoting your own personal business and website, ads are an important part of one's success. Some people make a recurring income simply by placing advertisements on the websites that get a lot of traffic.
ReplyDeletestrongu stu u6
At Cigar Royale, we offer a great selection of premium cigars and cigar accessories as lighters, cutters and humidors at affordable price. Buy Cigars Online, We strive to provide you with the finest quality cigars and accessories in the market.
ReplyDeleteThank you for very usefull information..
ReplyDeletetogel singapore
I found this is an informative and interesting post so i think so it is very useful and knowledgeable. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this article.
ReplyDeletehttps://indowarta.com/poker-online
Good post but I was wondering if you could write a litte more on this subject? I’d be very thankful if you could elaborate a little bit further. Appreciate it! rolet online
ReplyDeleteCome play and join us at
ReplyDeleteTrusted Online Togel Bandar Site in Indonesia
BANDAR TOGEL TERPERCAYA SDTOTO
BANDAR TOGEL RESMI
BANDAR TOGEL ONLINE
BANDAR TOGEL TERLENGKAP
SITUS JUDI ONLINE TERPERCAYA 2022
SLOT ONLINE GACOR
SLOT GACOR 2022
SITUS SLOT GACOR
BOCORAN ADMIN SLOT
BANDAR TOGEL DAN SLOT TERPERCAYA
MapleStory.es - 3D isometric adventure MMORPG<
ReplyDeleteDownload MapleStory and start the game.
https://maplestory.es/
MapleStory is a free to download 2D online video game of the MMORPG genre, created by the Korean company Wizet. Although the game is free to play, it includes other items that can be purchased for real money. Around the world, the game has millions of users. The story of the game is about some travelers who seek to save the Maple World from the terrible Black Mage. In this plot, the travelers become stronger as they eliminate the enemies of the game, many creatures of different appearance. As they advance in level, travelers choose the paths and disciplines to follow, which we will detail below.
What is MapleStory?
MapleStory 2 is a 3D isometric adventure MMORPG in which players create their own character and select one of several jobs to explore the new Maple World. Players will find several NPCs with various Quests, Monsters, and Bosses from the previous version, as well as completely new ones to fight against. The game also features dungeons and raids for players to team up with each other to complete.
Out of action
There are also a variety of activities for players to participate in, such as buying and building personal homes, crafting with Life Skills, fishing, composing music, creating custom user content such as custom clothing, and much more.
History of the last UPDATE
Nexon published the first closed beta test of the global version which ran from May 9, 2018 to May 16, 2018, and a second closed beta ran from July 18 to August 1, 2018. The game launched on October 10, 2018 with players who purchased a Founder's Pack on or after October 1, 2018. On Wednesday, May 27, 2020, Nexon ended service for the global version of MapleStory 2.
https://maplestory.es/
nice bLog! its interesting. thank you for sharing....
ReplyDeletedewapoker
Lexie I am ecstatic to have come across your site and read your posts. Your writing style is flawless. In a way that isn't nearly as scary as I am making it out to be, I feel like you've snatched the voice out of my brain. That's all I'm trying to say... thank you. I believe I'll be a regular stalker here from now on. - Rashwin
ReplyDeleteShould there be another persuasive post you can share next time, I’ll be surely waiting for it.
ReplyDeleteคาสิโนมืà¸à¸–ืà¸
kini kami hadir menjadi situs bandar
ReplyDeleteTogel singaporeterpercaya dan terbesar
yang memberikan bonus JP terbukti terbesar di indonesia
Thank you for sharing these great ideas on public. I have learned from it. I will definitely share it with friends.
ReplyDeleteGet the latest and most Viral information delivered straight to your Inbox.
We are truly thankful for your blog entry. You will discover a great deal of methodologies in the wake of going to your post. I was precisely scanning for. A debt of gratitude is in order for such post and please keep it up. weclub
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSlot Deposit Pulsa Tanpa Potongan dengan permainan slot online premium terlengkap dan terbaik dunia.
ReplyDeletehttps://pastelink.net/mohstwvf
situs game slot gacor online terbaik dan terpercaya di indonesia yang memberikan peluang terbesar untuk memenangkan Jackpot yaitu hingga ratusan juta rupiah.
These are some great tools that i definitely use for SEO work. This is a great list to use in the future..
ReplyDeletetogel hongkong
Post a Comment