Why I Don't Always Comment, Even When I Loved Your Hub

Great hub!

I often have the same problem as well, and it can be pretty frustrating especially when you have read a really good hub which the author has obviously spent a lot of time producing. I often end up going back to a hub to comment because I read it and am unable to comment straight away, but later think of the right result.

I guess it's okay to do it occasionally...very occasionally. But I would really try to say something a little more that "Great Hub!"

Great Hub! :)

K@ari

I think I understand where you're coming from as sometimes I'm faced with the same dilemma. But I think most of us hubbers know the difference between an empty "great hub" comment and a sincere "great hub" comment - it depends on the hubber who made the comment. And if it's from you, I think most hubbers who know you would agree, that you are being sincere - with whatever you have to say :D

My biggest frustration comes from not being able to read everything I want to read as quickly as I would like. I find that I miss a lot of hubs and I sometimes feel guilty for not reading and commenting on the hubs of my favorite hubbers. But, I eventually get around to most.

Probably the best thing you can do for the hubber is to at least leave a 'thumbs up' flag if you liked their work but are unable to comment at the time. By reading it, you gave them a hit and by flagging it you gave them the HP recognition that is incorporated into their overall score.

We all ought to have a code for these situations, I know that I have frequently been where you are and I feel silly leaving nothing when I appreciated what I read. Maybe all we could say is ' Hi! ' if thats the case.

Here's a hint: Pick out a statement - sentence - phrase, copy it and paste it in the comment section and say why you liked that sentence. You could say "loved this comment!" or "that statement really touched me." see?

That will mean a lot to the writer. Still, I don't always comment either, but I'm trying to do better on that.

Yes, I do identify with this VERY much.  One thing though, about leaving any comment, is that someone else sees your comment on the hubtivity and then goes to check out the hub, bringing another viewer to the hub you liked.

I'm going back to up yours-- if you will excuse the sound of that phrase.

It might be a good strategy (for the person whose hub you liked) for you to come back to the hub  the next day to comment., bringing up another batch of new viewers.  I'm the one who forgets the 'up' vote many times-- probably because i don't see any results from that. It may figure into that misterious hubs core algorhythm??? ...who knows?

Great Hub!!!! lololo k@ri we don't care how you leave it, we just love to know when someone is there. We all know you and certainly you are not a spammer. Never ever feel that your comment is worthless, sometimes I have the same problem. I just jump in and leave it. We love you , so leave your comment nobody's comment is ever mundane...:)

We could say "I liked this so much I had to leave this comment in code". ***** *** (great hub)

Great Hub. thumbs up! signed Dorothy!

Damn all those witty hubbers who get there first! Happens to me all the time. I don't comment much, these days. It's not for lack of interest, so much as a sudden case of brain fart. And when I post this, I'll probably find that 3 more people commented while I was trying to figure out what to say. Oh well. Great hub, anyway.

Oops. My mistake. 4 people commented while I was typing!

Do you have any more of those buttons?

Hey, k@ri! Evidently, this hub calls for a comment :-) 

I leave comments in about 10% or less of all that I read here or elsewhere.  Same as with book reviews, I post a review once in a blue moon, when a book either rocks my socks or pisses me off big time.  I don't feel the need to leave a comment or do a review of everything I read. 

The advent of instant feedback through the internet sometimes makes me feel a bit prisoner to what I otherwise really love to do, which is reading.  Once upon a time, reading was a private activity and one didn't need to share the thoughts a written piece caused with the author and/or the world, or only very occasionaly. In my opinion, the fact that now instant feedback is possible, and even expected, generates a sort of insincerity in the feedback in many occasions.  So, I eather mean it, or I don't comment.

Well, for what is worth, and the disclaimer is that this is my opinion only  :-)

I can't speak for anyone else, but here are my thoughts. My brain sometimes turns to mush, too, for various reasons.

I sometimes really enjoy a hub and love it and want to write something but there's really nothing to write that doesn't seem mundane. If I feel as though I've done a good amount of commenting on their other pieces or other hubs in general, I thumbs up it. But the person doesn't know I've thumbs upped it. They don't know I've been there, even though I would like them to.

Sometimes I have nothing to add. And sometimes I need to spend some time processing what I read or go into what it makes me think about. I think it's okay, we all go through these times where even the tips we are given about commenting just don't "Feel" right.

I think as long as you're balancing your "great points, great hub, nice form" or what ever comments with ones you feel compelled to respond to with a bit more depth, you're doing okay and shouldn't feel bad about it. A thumbs up, even when they don't know who it's from, is actually a great way to love a hub and means a lot in the end. I do it even when I comment. And Chris A. makes a good point on this, that it does depend on who's writing "great hub" based on their track record. So you're "great hub" could have much more meaning to it than another's.

Sometimes there's so many hubs coming out at once I don't know what to do with myself. I just keep the info in my inbox till I'm ready to tackle them. I feel bad, but there's nothing to be done. So many great writers here! And I don't want to just rush through someone's stuff when they've put so much time and effort into their pieces.

The feelings you expressed, for me, come and go. I'd go with your gut. It's never wrong if you trust in it.

Mundane comment!

I also read the Tolden Goad series without saying much. I try to subscribe to the mindset that it's better to remain silent and be thought the fool, than to open my mouth and remove all doubt! Believe me, I excel at removing doubt! But you seem smart and witty to me.I'm sure that your trepidation is unfounded.

I feel the same way, but sometimes I'm in such a hurry to comment I forget to thumbs up, and thumbs up is probably more important! But I like getting comments, that lets me know that my words had value in small way. Even if it was just .... great hub! By the way .... thought provoking, well written hub. :)

Hi k@ari! Thanks for being brave enough to admit what many of us obviously feel. I know I do!!!

There seem to be two kinds of hub comments. The kind that relate directly to the hub, and the kind that spawn lives of their own. If I read a hub and enjoy it but then scroll down and find 549 comments above mine, it seems like I'm joining a free-standing conversation. That can be fine/fun unto its own. But that isn't always the same as commenting to the hub author, you know?

I love Marisue's idea of picking out a line and copying it. For example, this like taught me something cool about you:" I can change a tire, handle a screwdriver and drill...if it need to be put together or taken apart I can handle it."

Another option is to stop by and simply say, "I gave you a thumbs up." As ktoo points out, voting with your thumbs is also important! MM

So, k@ri, since I understand every word you just said, I'll copy and paste a comment and then comment.

rmr says:60 minutes ago

Damn all those witty hubbers who get there first! Happens to me all the time. I don't comment much, these days. It's not for lack of interest, so much as a sudden case of brain fart. And when I post this, I'll probably find that 3 more people commented while I was trying to figure out what to say. Oh well. Great hub, anyway.

--------------------------

EXACTLY, rmr!!!! Sometimes I spend so much time trying to come up with a decent comment, by the time I manage one and hit 'post', 15 other comments have come in saying what I was trying to, making mine sound so feeble and me so addle-brained.

Very glad to know it's not just me, k@ri! I will say that most of you that I really know well I have no problems coming up with comments. Maybe it is because I'm more comfortable and less intimidated by you. Great point and great hub!! (Meant in the most sincere manner.)

Yeah -- BristolBoy, Elena, and MightyMom pretty much said what I would have said (or would have liked to have said, but they phrased it much better than I could have). Instant feedback is, by definition, superficial -- because it's instantaneous. Sometimes I know exactly what I want to say, sometimes I think I'll come back later, when I've thought about it, and sometimes I forget to come back. So, ***** ***. Thanks for writing what obviously many of us have thought about.

Actually, k@ri, I have this problem when I read your hubs! They are always so interesting---insightful---informative that all I can think of is "WOW" or " I want to know more" or "You Go, Girl!!! So thanks for giving me permission!

OH DEAR...oH MY..ALL HAS BEEN SAID AND i AM THE SAME WAY  (oops caps)...sorry...you are very wise to have made this Hub....very thoughtful and see many of us feel the same...sometimes hubs are just too deep for me to comment on...and see all the comments you've received...Good Job my dear...G-Ma :O) Hugs & Peace

Tolden Goad..was that intentional, either way I love it. Also I have the same problem I love the writers I have found and read and read and read, but it's often difficult to know what to say, but at least for now I think just saying great Hub and meaning it, says it all, and is a good thing. Or maybe just a smile, the writer will know what you mean, at least I would, for if I have made you smile that is a good thing.

And not to be confused with laughing at my stupidity a smile should indicate good hub, nice writing, I learned, I enjoyed etc.

Sometimes I don't comment because I don't have anything relevant to add that perhaps others haven't already said. I always do a thumbs up if I have read all the way through the hub and find it to be good. Some hubs are just so touching that I'm speechless, and in that case I try to remember to come back to them. I thought you brought up some much needed discussion of this topic.

If I enjoyed a hub or found it interesting I will always comment on it, as the fact that I put a comment on shows on hubtivity and will direct more people to the hub in question.  If I read a hub that is badly written or boring, I tend to leave no comment as I don't want to hurt someone's feelings with a negative comment.  They've put work into their writing and are proudly putting it out there, so I don't want to be a joy destroyer.  Hey, what is the thumbs up?  Don't even know where it is.  Oh God, I am sometimes so blonde!

Thanks K@ri. If we comment do we thumbs up or do we do both or just one OMIGOD, I need more coffee, am confuddling myself!

k2ri, i love ya girl. Using me for this. hahaha well, it was five weeks worth of work and from what I heard a good read. din't know you were the silent type till ya let me know. that's endearing to me. and I have to laugh at sandman's rsponse to Tolden Goad as he has no idea wht the hell you wee referring to. hahaha

I have the same problem too, here I am now with how many comments ahead of me, but I have to just tell you my honest thoughts here. Don't worry about it dear. next time yer on one of my hubs and don't know what to say, well just tell me what a great turd I just dropped. Good hub my dear

Now I don't feel so guilty for not leaving any comment! I feel just the same way as you are, when the hub already has way too many comments. I wanted to share my opinion, but feel as if I'm copying and pasting what everyone else is saying? I still give it a thumbs up. And what do you mean Tolden Goad? LOL Didn't think I read it did ya?

You may also notice that the new 'thumbs up' and 'thumbs down" Now only says 'up' or 'down'. I think this is a good change since the thumbs gesture can mean different things in different cultures.

Wow, k@ri, this may turn out to be the longest comment thread ever. ****

You're not alone k@ri! Sometimes I stare at a hub, my mind a complete blank even if I have enjoyed it. And then because I feel honour bound to leave a comment, I leave one...which is so lame I might as well have not said anything! :P

okay, so I'll start to hit that up button now!

Great hub k@ri!! :D

No honestly, I empathise - it's so tough sometimes because you're the 50th person reading the hub and everything you want to say has been said! But I still like to see the people whose opinion I value come by - even if it is to say 'Great hub' :)

YAY!!!! I'm not the only one!!!!! I feel so validated! I've had too much coffee!!!!!

Seriously, if I can't think what to say, I thumbs up it, if I can think what to say I try to type it then thumbs up.

So far, I haven't given anything you've written a thumbs down, so I'd say you're doing well. Good job!

See there my girl, we loooove you.

We don't care what the comments say as long as its not spam or threats from a psycho...whether someone agrees with our hubs or whether they love it..We enjoy knowing that people have read them and what they think about it....Even if all you say is GOOD HUB its all good...=)

Wow! So many comments in such a short time!

I, too, don't comment on all the hubs I've enjoyed, and for many of the reasons you cited. I owe you some comments, though, so I'll start paying you back.

This hub is insightful and eloquent. Plus, we get to know you a little bit more as a bonus! You are an excellent writer. I look forward to reading (and commenting on) more of your work!

jj, get your rest now!

C.C. I am resting....cuddled up in my leopard comforter next to the computer. Resting and reading all these wonderful hubs....thanks for caring!! =)

Oooo, new pic, I like, yipper I do. oh my be still my heart.

cindy, I just found your toons down there, mive 'em up dear

thank you!!

Hmmm, what should I say? I don't want to sound stupid or anything. Then again, it doesn't seem to stop anybody else! Oh, well.

GREAT HUB!

Never had a problem sounding stupid as Tom has pointed out!  LOL.  I will post anything.  Simply because I would want people that read my junk to post anything.  Many, many times I post to simply "bump" a Hub that I really enjoyed.  "Fan Duty" is what my favorite critic calls it.

I know….been there, done this. When I started with Hubpages it was like diving into new waters. Like fits of drinking for alcoholics. You just can’t stop.

Reading comments are sometimes not less interesting than reading the hub itself.

k@ri wrote “I get lost in my reading of the Hubs, time becomes meaningless, chores are left undone, sleep is deprived (even further than it was).”

This is one of the reasons why I visit Hubpages less and less. Virtual world is great but I love real life much and much more. Another reason is I don’t know if I really fit here. I don’t write as much as I would like and I don’t read as much as I would like (see reason # 1).

I myself don’t have many comments for my writings, so I think that probably what I write is not really needed here, but I still write from time to time just for myself…

I don’t comment on forums, because if people are entitled to their opinions and my opinion is different, they just start to tear me apart and trash me without mercy and I don’t like it (I am pretty sensitive in life and virtually as well). That’s why I stopped even visiting forums.

I think it is OKAY to leave just a couple of words for comments, just to let a writer know that you took time to read the hub. And, of course, not to forget to mark it “UP” if you liked it!

By the way, really, “thumb up” means different in different cultures, as Rochelle pointed it. For instance, in Israel when little children are mad at each other, they show to each other a “thumb up” (with the matching facial expression- glance from under the brows and a lower lip protruding).

By the way #2- Great hub, k@ri

You did us all a service writing this hub. We can now make an sop (standard operating proceedure). Would rather say great hub and know you visited than not say anything at all. Now I know what to do at brain mush intervals.

I agree with Jewels. Nice to know I'm not the only one who doesn't leave a comment after reading a truly great hub. Would be nice if there was a third button in addition to "Up" and "Down". A button that automatically adds a comment like "[Name of hubber] says "Great hub but I can't think of anything to add that others haven't said said'." That way you know who the Blank Brainers are and that they would've left their own comment if they could've come up with one.

Or....*at the very very VERY least*....a widget that shows who gave you a Thumbs Up but didn't leave a comment for all the reasons you and others mention! I *hate* not knowing who the ThumbsUppers are! I'd rather this be in Hubtivity than who fanned who. Who's getting ThumbsUps is a much better recommendation, especially when a hubber goes on a FanSpamming binge.

Anyway, a TRULY GREAT HUB, K@ri!

Good hub fellow hubber.

Yes, I sometimes have this problem, but because I know how much I love getting comments, I try really hard to say something even if it's the "great hub!" kinds of thing. What the heck, at least it's words of encouragement and a way showing the writer that people HAVE indeed noticed their work!

There's a forum for submitting ideas to improve HP. Feel free to submit this one as your own!

I didn't know that there was a series of Tolden Goad?! LOL I thought you misspelled it. -_- Anyways, I need your opinion on which hub to write about on the Extreme Hub Makeover forum please!

Better get some rest girl! You need more than 6 hours of sleep?!...the same goes for me too! LOL

k@ri - well done for voicing this issue - I often have this problem and, to be honest, try to limit myself to commmenting on 5 hubs a day; Time is another real issue. The ideas that others have had about copy-pasting a phrase and/or having some sort of code are great ideas. I also think it's OK to say simply how much you enjoyed the read and that you are going to flag the hub up. I always flag up hubs that i read - even those that i do not comment upon.

Tried to add a smiley so that won't work

k@ri, I read many more hubs than I write, and I try to leave comments on as many as possible, but time is not always on my side. Sometimes I come back and comment a few hours, (or even days) later. I'm constantly amazed at how prolific some hubbers are, not just with their hubs, but also with their comments. I would love to read quicker, and also to write with the fluid ease and grace that so many hubbers seem to manage so effortlessly, but perhaps by the time I've been here another year or so I'll have cracked it! (Well, you never know!.....)

I frequently read without commenting--a shameless amount. I become extremely intimidated when there is a long line of comments. Most of what I write isn't nearly as nice as the other comments. And I'm intimidated if my comment will be at the beginning.

I'm a little hypocritical there, because I LOVE any and all comments that come to me. You were the first person who ever gave me a comment, and it meant the world to me even if it was only "Good advice! Thanks for sharing"

I do Thumbs Up though. Does that redeem me?

See, even this comment is dumb since most everything I have to say has been thoroughly covered.

I just love this hub kari, I feel you have brought out in the open hidden thoughts of many hubbers myself included. However I feel that a small token of appreciation does move the writer & provide him/ her with motivation to write more or feel simply happy :)

 When I read the title of your hub, it magnetize me to read it at once & I did expect a long list of comments as well. Anyways in short GREAT HUB my dear hubber!

Yes, if all the good comments are taken I will do a "thumbs up" and a google click on a hub I like. Although it is anonymous, I am still thanking them for their time and effort.

Google click... Good idea! I had never thought of that. The importance of comments--and reading others commentes.

This is my mundane comment...excellent hub! Thanks for sharing...I do have the same challenge, but even though others have left much wittier comments, even a simple 'thank you' or 'great idea' is heartening to read. With that said...gotta go...brain dried up! LOL

There have been a lot of times where I have no idea what to write. Every once in a while, I skip reading all the comments, so I can write what I feel, and don't get caught up in all the back and forth of the comments. Sometimes, after reading all the comments, I completely forget what I wanted to say. This is a great hub! I can see that there are a lot of people, besides me, that can relate to it!

I usually try to comment, whether it's on hubpages or on a blog. I own a forum and I try to respond to all forum topics as well, because it keeps things going. I started doing this more as a way to get my link out there than anything else. But if you're going to get approved, you have to leave a comment that is *worth something*.

It's not always easy. Sometimes I see something that I love and I want to comment, but I think "what can I add to that?" Saying "great post" or "great hub" is meaningless. Hopefully the author knows that it is great based on the ranking that it is receiving or based on the number of readers he or she has gained.

That being said, encouragement *rocks*. I love being encouraged by readers. I've gotten some strange comments (like the one about how my Jesus hub was really funny?), but it helps just to know that there is somebody reading and somebody intersted in the material you are providing!

Ha! I am seriously thinking of giving up altogether b/c comments to my blogs have dried up and must be blowing out on the desert floor somewhere! GREAT BLOG!!! Keep 'em comin, honey!

If you felt like saying great hub, I would just do it, bugger what anyone else thinks,seriously, if that is all that comes to mind for you. Just the fact that people know you have taken the time to drop by, is enough. We love ya.xox

To be honest I try to read pretty much all of the people I am a fan of, but there are a couple of cheater fans, I won't say their name who publish like ten articles a day on different subjects, I will never comment on theirs. Another reason I won't comment is that the hub is extremely personal and I don't think I can say anything that hasn't been said already, so it would seem insincere, and the other reason is that its a very informative hub, and I don't want to chance ruin it with my comments. Final reason, is that I miss the hub. But thats not the case with this one, I just wanted to see if I could be the last one to comment.

Naw you don't have to erase it, I'll just come back again, and you don't have to tell them, they aleady know

I know, tehehe

I was going to write Great Hub but everyone else beat me to it. :-)

I say leave a comment even if it only does say 'great hub' because it is nice to know you've connected with someone out there through your writing.

I'm pretty new out here but am already starting to feel 'part of the family' through all the great comments and encouragement from other hubbers. Don't ever be afraid to say what you feel.

K@ri

Now I understand about comments, but I don't understand about a click or two on a poll.

Wow!  I had to stop reading!  A kazillion comments K@ri!  Great job!

I work very hard at commenting, meaning, when I read something I like, I will give it a thumbs up, and leave a sincere comment.  When, in some cases, all has been said, I'll simply say I agree with the comments thus far.  One trick that works for me is, even if I don't totally agree with something, I'll pick out what did work for me and comment on that.  Just looking for the positive.

I have read many hubs/forum threads where the commenters get into extremely heated, confrontational discussions/debates, and I tend to stay away from those.  On the rare occasion that I do comment, even then, I try to shed a different angle to the discussion.  I'm not into name-calling, bashing and all that other garbage.  Often in those situations, my comment is ignored, and they just continue on in their 'need to be right'.

So, thanks for a wonderful hub!  :)

You're welcome. Yes, I agree, when I go back to check on comments, whether in the forums or on hubs, that mine is like a piece of flotsam just floating by that never gets noticed. :)

Perhaps if I left my comment in all caps it would have gotten noticed, but probably not, because I wouldn't have been arguing. My guess it's all about who shouts the longest and loudest :)

Wonderful hub k@ri As a confident person - please know that I'd value your comments on any of my hubs. I do believe there's an ability to support and encourage, or disuade with constructive criticism no matter what personal opinion we have on the subject itself. Bottom line is that if we support each other, we'll improve HubPages for the worldwide audience, and thus our comments are of true value for everyone. Even if someone else has expressed what we feel - why not simply add an agreement? Comments are great and I commend you on inspiring all of us to leave one for you :)

Yep, I'm doing it. The thing about is that most hubs, even mine will go unnoticed, read, because of the volume.

You are the only one who reads my stuff, even if you don't always comment! No one will miss my stuff because there is way too much coming in to think about it, and maybe the lack of "good hubs" will provide a deeper appreciation for those people like Chris and Teresa. Unfortunately, I think no matter who you are, the work will get buried and my stuff aside, I am bothered I can't read those hubs I look forward to because I don't know where they're at. So yes, in the meantime, I will write my most shocking work, and save it for a book. 

hugs!

My thumbs up is yours...

For me personaly,.."Great Hub" is awesome. I know then someone read it and actually liked it. What I don't like is if someone says Great Hub and not really mean it. When theirs no comments and I know people has been bye, then I know I need to work on improving something. I think this hub you wrote opened a great conversation,...and that's a hard thing to do sometimes. Props to you,..HOOAH !!!!!!

As my fan base has increased I find that I am spending more time reading than hubbing. I do not want to neglect those that support me, so I try to get to as many as I can, and like you Kari. I at least give them a thumbs up.

GreatHub!

No seriously I know exactly where your coming from. If I intend to leave a comment I will do it before I have read the others comments. This way I dont get worried that my comments are samey or less interesting. Once ive hit submit what will be will be.Just in case I forgot to mention, Great hub :-)

2 Thumbs up!

No comment.

So.....thanks for sharing. As you see, it is a common dilema.

As a new hubber, I am looking down the barrel of the same problem. I may be following too many hubbers, because by the time I read and comment, I have little time to write (....and here I am finding more writers that I want to follow! I just can't help myself!)

I am impressed with the well written insightful hubs. If I read a hub I like, I will check out more hubs by that writer , and their profile. If that clicks, I follow them. I am not bothered if they don't follow me, though I would be pleased if they do.

As for comments, just to know that somebody out there has read my piece is gratifying. So "great hub" is A-okay with me!