#21 — The Art of Commenting — A Collaborative Series with James Bellerjeau, Debdutta Pal, and Grandma Smillew

Commenting On Some Stories Is Wasting Your Breath

If you have it to throw away, go for it

Early on Medium, I was prone to reading the stories of many writers. I like to read and comment. I noticed quickly that, for some reason, writers with large followings and multiple accolades did not respond to my comments.

Not all, mind you, but some.

Ok, have I said something wrong, or did I not praise you well? Maybe my curtsy to your post was in bad form? Could I have blown more smoke up your pompous ass? Please respond. No, don’t. I’ve seen all I need to.

What brought up the thought to write this article was a little sightseeing trip around Medium the other day. And, of course, my personal experience with some writers. What I found out surprised me, but then it didn’t.

We have a former US President here. He has a gazillion followers. My curiosity led me to stop and look at the comments on his posts. OMG! Talk about effusive praise; after reading a few, I had to walk away. Why, may you ask? They were wasted breaths because none of them received any response.

Another writer, an actor, a former governor, a famous bodybuilder, with another huge throng of followers. More sycophants throwing themselves at his feet. Comments galore. Responses to this adulation, zip. Wasted breath.

Maybe it’s the same dynamic on Twitter. I don’t know because I don’t live there.

So, my question is, why spend your time on that which I just described? Most of you are always telling me that it’s valuable, and you never have enough of it, so why toss it to the wind, especially if you're upwind?

That is what you’re doing if you comment on the words of some. Read if you must, but then go on your way because they will never know you did and probably don’t care either way. Ok, go ahead now and say it, “RC, they are famous and busy, and they don’t have time to answer all of those comments.” Is that the storyline you will stick to?

As far as reads and comments go, I’m a guy that believes in Tit for Tat. No, not touches for body ink. I’m talking about trades. I read your stuff; you read mine. Notice I didn’t use the word view? Your comment on mine; I comment on yours. Fair exchange, right?

Now, for those that got this far, don’t run off butt-hurt because I said something you don’t agree with. Comment, that’s what that cartoon shape at the end of the post is for.

I like comments for two reasons. Depending on the nature of your words, it’s obvious you read my post, and secondly, it’s a courtesy to thank a writer for their efforts in producing that post. I will surely do it for you as well.

Thanks for reading.

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For more ideas on commenting, explore this list. It will give you a unique perspective on the topic.