Does anyone else get pissed when....

[bobburgster]

...they put a lot of thought into commenting on a post, and there is no reply? I'm referring to posting differing opinions, in a well thought out, and respectful manner. Pretty sad, but it seems if I make sarcastic comments, or show my support I will get a reply. But if I offer a respectful detailed counter very few can be bothered to reply. I'm not a needy person who has to have someone always notice, praise or concur with what I say. I'm just beginning to wonder if this is a pattern on DU. Do others notice this pattern?

[FooshIt]

1. its due to the way DU is designed

[babylonsister]

2. How so? nt

[MineralMan]

5. Have you studied the design of DU for a long time?

Could you be more specific?

[uncommon]

7. A snip of snark in the reply line will get you viewers - a well reasoned response with a slow leadin

is a tough sell here.

[FooshIt]

11. no you're dead wrong

just kidding you're right.

[FooshIt]

9. it's hard

to have any kind of discussion on a complicated topic due to the way the forum is designed. That is why debates are often just two people having separate conversations that loosely relate to each other.

[asdjrocky]

19. Not really.

Go to My DU and you see every reply. It's about the easiest board I've ever been on to carry on a conversation.

[zipplewrath]

17. Several factors

There is a rule against breaking off from a thread and starting a new one, so very popular topics quickly become burdened with several subthreads, often making similar points.

The nature of the "lastest discussion" page is such that topics quickly move off and don't get seen. Only the largest of topics make it to the "greatest" page and by then it is so huge that no one is reading everything.

You can see evidence of much of this in the number of times the same article, video, or other piece of news is posted over and over. The nature of the forum doesn't lend itself to "seeing" that it's already there and being discussed.

This is a VERY popular site with ALOT of participation. That makes for a difficult time for people interested in discussing the same things, in the same way, to find each other.

There are a few things one can do to moderate these effects.

1) Go to "my DU". You'll see who has responded to your postings, answer back often to encourage discussion.

2) Go to distinct forums more often. They are sorted by "popularity" there and you can see what topic is still active, even if not highly popular.

3) Don't give up on people. Do look for common ground, even in conflict. It can often encourage more thoughtful responses.

4) Try to keep answers short by being focused. You don't have to discuss each topic widely. Focus in on the most important difference you have with the post, or the point of agreement you most want to emphasize or clarify.

5) Answer specific questions with specific answers. Don't just write another homily. If confronted, answer specifically, acknowledging weakness or vague points in your own posts.

6) A little thought into the subject. +1000 or other subjects don't often suggest that there is going to be alot of additional substance. A few words that mention the topic or point that will follow will attract more attention.

[daleanime]

20. Nicely said!

:bounce:

[bobburgster]

21. Thanks...

for the thoughtful suggestions :)

[MineralMan]

3. Sadly, that is the fate of many thoughtful replies in threads.

You just have to trust that people are reading what you wrote. Not every reply in a thread gets commented on, whether it's positive or negative. As you've noticed, most replies go to the outrageous posts.

[babylonsister]

4. I don't really; I think a lot of it depends on

who is around at any given time, and whether the topic you're posting on is important to a lot of people, or mostly you.
Also, if you post something that's fairly long, lots of people won't read it due to length.
I wouldn't take it personally.

[bobburgster]

10. No, I don't take it personally.....

though I knew it would sound that way :) I guess maybe it is about motivation as to whether it is worth it...if that makes sense?

[daleanime]

6. It's no problem....

don't know about anyone else, but I tend to response only when I really agree, disagree, or am feeling a little snarky.O8)

[Monique1]

8. I don't reply to long threads

Usually the long threads have the contents or shorter threads so... I don't read the long threads. I sim through them.

[daleanime]

12. I don't mind a long thread....

as long as it's packed with information, if it fluff then I take off.:evilgrin:

[bobburgster]

14. Not me, if it is Fluff.....

I eat it :9 sorry, couldn't help myself

[daleanime]

16. Only with peanutbutter....

:rofl:

[bobburgster]

13. Thanks...

appreciate the input.

[treestar]

15. Yes. It's rare to see a real exchange of ideas.

Occasionally it happens and makes for really good reading. But when you look at a lot of exchanges where they go on, they tend to get snarky.

[Bitwit1234]

18. the must just love conterversery --I like thoughtful posts