It seems to me that if the comments are made for their own sake, then they are worth nothing. With pressure and too much insistence on active commenting, you may generate reactions in terms of quantity, but not in terms of quality.
I see it as the authors' responsibility to arouse interest among their readers and thereby provoke comments. That is real, lively interaction. As long as comments are made primarily because it's part of the terms and conditions, I hardly take them seriously as such...
I don't see reactions in terms of quantity you? Do you see a difference if you compare the months you curate? If you ask me always the same people comment. If they are busy it's shorter but you can easily find back in the comment sections of an account who always does and who doesn't.
Comments are always made for your own sake if you like to see it this way or not. If you comment you show your name and a part of yourself (idea, thoughts, opinion, a part private life, a link (like) you name it). I agree with you that the author should see it as his responsibility to attract commenters and the only way to do so is: engagement (commenting yourself - not that that always works out besides the system counts comments like "thank you" and "ok" as well so it looks great in steemworld.org or wherever you check).
Another point is: Why on earth would I comment if I always receive upvotes from SC01 - SC09 even if my post is shitty or a copy--paste from a different post? Why bother if the rewards are paid anyway?
I am sure you know like me where most votes go to (countries/continent + people). Is this coincidence? I doubt it. No way they promote themselves better than others I know. Many of them rare write a comment unlike what @patjewell did (the already forgotten Steemian).
Provoking comments is indeed the only way because if it doesn't "hurt" the average person isn't willing to ventilate.
That being said we know what to post in the future to attract attention even if no one (dares) to comment.
Good talk, thanks for stopping by.
YES, it's always the same people who comment. Sometimes some of them disappear - good people leave, you yourself mentioned quite a few with depression and similar problems. Other good people move on. I can't complain about good and successful interactions! And only these, the intrinsic and spontaneous ones, are valuable (for me). If, on the other hand, I have to make 5 comments to be allowed to take part in a contest myself, my enthusiasm is... minimal. If I have to comment to prove that I've read other people's posts, I feel like a primary school pupil. Yes, that's exactly what the Steem has become in large parts. My little ‘island’ is barely touched by it. It works. And it is either voted on or not. So what... ;-))
Well, I took part in a contest and didn't comment. I didn't feel to it and the only reason I joined was because I noticed there was hardly an entry so I thought what the heck, wrote, invited a few.
@liasteem who hosted it told me: you should comment on three others if you want to win. I replied: I don't need to win, I just joined because no one did, to make it more visible. (you didn't reply on that @liasteem or did I miss your answer?)
I am not sure if it's about proving you read others, to me it's more (If it comes to posts) that everyone (hopefully) has someone who said something (we all need a bit support now and then). If it comes to a comment contest it's also nice if there's a topic to be discussed if people read another and jump in, correct or share or whatever.
I agree Steemit is indeed a school (How is your first Aid doing?) if you give in to every step asked although I see here changes as well. I means the newcomers have it way easier than 1 year ago.
I believe there's a huge difference between your little island, my little island and the average Steemian's little island.
You are an SR since many months, you receive a huge SP support from SC01 and know that if you post a report or something else there will always be a reward.
The average Steemian doesn't have that luxury and only hears: you have to do this, you have to do that, you have to be smart, you have to write good content and if, if if.. you will be rich soon on Steem.
Back to Steemit and rules: don't you believe this year changed a lot? The newbies, no club forced upon, the burnsteem25 mindset.
We can work on the "more freedom in writing and let go of the templates" and also the "resteem" and "upvote me if you want to win". Every rule can be deleted but what remains is the problem:
That no one will tell newcomers or those who joined in the past 3 years what the need of using your upvote is (it's a way to promote yourself without saying a word) and how connecting with others can help you to receive higher rewards. Both seem not to be important especially not with the present system.
I find it a pity that commenting isn't rewarded more because those few good ones indeed will give up sooner or later. Not because of the lack of rewards but the investment of time and the fact that a reply is getting rare. In my experience, most do not want to invest in relationships just like in real life which is totally fine but don't get mad if no one notices and upvotes you.
Of course I see changes. I welcome many of them, some of which I helped initiate myself - my Team Freestyle was the first curatorial team in 2022 that didn't have to observe any conditions when voting. And we were good ;-))
But first and foremost, I see something else: people are being ‘recruited’ here with the prospect of making money quickly and easily. That's an outright lie. Most of the people here on Steem are not regular writers, authors or bloggers. Most people here are not interested in networking either. Most of them have existential fears and would do anything to alleviate them.
Humanly only too understandable. From an artistic point of view, it's the death sentence for a blogging platform.
I remember that before the hard fork we tried very hard to stimulate people to comment. We had @paulag and the comment coin and @cicisaja was very active. Back then also the good news was spread that you can easily get rich if you post a few words (and that's it).
This year I heard it several times again that everything is possible (buying a house) if you only write good content though no one knows what good is (I assume the markdowns) and if you are smart. I guess not the smart patjewell promoted but smart in different ways.
The only difference with years ago and the past years is the huge number of (new) subscribers in high financial need who all claim this is their job. It's great if it is possible but if that's the main idea it is a problem.
With you I agree here is not where you find the writers. I believe 90% can't write and hardly read. This is a huge problem but a part of those people can post something else. It is a fact that without commenters Steemit will be a dead end.
I can't say I saw many comments the past week and unlike in September, I spent way more hours searching. Plenty of posts to upvote but comments?
I can't blame it on Christmas because it already started earlier.
To most writing comments is not in the system, it's never taught. Also not to all those newcomers who had to achieve their certificate. I wonder why not, but also why commenters aren't upvoted more or perhaps mainly to try out if it stimulates after all a post is a post.
Everything can be learned and I notice a handful is willing and it shows.
If the Steemit Team doesn't care and rewarding posts is the norm nothing will change.
Is it a loss if people not earning on posts leave? I doubt it and it will not affect the quality writers, those who like writing and reading. There are many here who write good content, never join a contest, old Steemians or new ones who keep posting regardless if they
couldn't agree more with you!
a post is a post, your own idea and nothing other people can interfere with. but a deep talk and discussion which can broad your view and perspective only can be done in the comments section and sometimes, it's more meaningful than the post itself.
anyway, I remember reading the ethics on steemit when I first joined, I try my best to understand that steemit also a communication or social interaction media, so, it's a bit weird when the posts are more valuable than the comments. Question is, who cares and who will go check the best comments of the day and upvote it? with the "best time to upvote and earn a few" on the FAQ, unless you are a witness with the concern, then we can a make a different.
I have thought it before, if you want the steem price up and give you profits, why the witness sometimes asking for SP delegation so e can get upvoted? or why we need to burn steem while we can take it to the exchange and let those who had a lot of steem in their wallet join the liquid pools somewhere. I mean, everyone can join the LP if they're eligible to do so. But, I dunno, it's just me thinking after having some LP in hive and pancake swap related to splinterlands.
I might not be able to write something meaningful like you do, it's just come accross my mind, I'm a noob about crypto, never tried to cash it out until last month.
It is good that there are people like you.
Enjoy your Sunday.
🍀♥️
