What's Up with So Many Comments on Comments - Andrea Dietrich's Blog

Hey, Guys, can someone tell me why so many people are now commenting to MY comments that I make to them at THEIR poems? In the old days, I would just go to my inbox where I can quickly see all comments made to me, and it was so easy for me to see questions people had for me after I had made a comment to them because they were answering me at the place where I was sure to see their comments!

This was a very convenient way to do things. Now I am discovering that more and more people are answering questions and making personal comments to me at their own poetry, but I AM NOT SEEING it!!!! I am getting notifications at my Hotmail that I have received comments on my comments, but I do not have lots of time to be clicking on ten or twenty of these squares and finding my comment to that person underneath their poems. It was so much easier in the old days when I could just come to my own inbox and all the comments to me as well as comments on my poetry were right there in one place. 

Am I the only one who is disenchanted with this system? Is there something I am not getting?? Are people getting points to just make a comment on a comment made to them?? Is that why so many people are just putting beneath every comment they get "thanks for that" ? That is pretty lame. Most of these kinds of comments are simply people saying "thanks" to me. IF they really want me to see their thanks, they need to say it at my own poetry where I am sure to see everything.

Well, I was just wondering what was going on and what the purpose was for initiating this system in the first place. I rarely comment to people's comments under my own poems. I often will do it when someone has said something about my poem and I want to clarify something regarding the poem itself in case other visitors to my poem might see what that person wrote. To leave people a question, I always go directly to THEIR poem to make sure they will see my answer and also I want to read their latest poem!! That's just me. I am glad for the others who still think like I do!!

Darren Watson Date: 3/10/2014 4:01:00 PM I consider it good manners to reply to comments left on my page and if asked a question , I have answered it there However, I'm eager to learn but don't be throwing a wobbly when I send a recipe for Parkin to a poem about something serious. Love always. Daz Login to Reply

Nette Onclaud Date: 3/4/2014 12:15:00 PM i was absent for a day.. good i caught this.. it's better to fo to the poet who commented on upit work for warm interchanges.. we donlt ususlly go back to a poet's pice, thus, how will we know if a 2nd comment was posted?.. mmmm... huggs Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/4/2014 4:30:00 PM Exactly. Well, that is what the notifications are for, Nettie. BUt I just don't want to open them up and go one by one to each one.

Kabuteng P.Ink K. Date: 3/4/2014 10:45:00 AM Hi Andrea, I'm not exactly sure as to why this particular feature was put in here, But I am assuming for several reasons... 1 possibility is to allow for "conversations" between members, maybe to allow for cohesiveness & convenience in participating parties? Another purpose that I think it can serve would be for web traffic purposes? I don't know much, but I am assuming that the more reasons and avenues for members to click & participate in a site, the increase in traffic, more exposure for the site & all that? I really don't care for points, so commenting for that purpose would be wasted on me. I have not been that active here, so I am not affected much by receiving all those notifications..But I sure can imagine how time consuming it would be to click on all those & see the replies to comments, & it could be pretty frustrating. As it is for me, since I am a slow poke, commenting can take forever, what more if I respond to all the comments who comment and comment back. I don't get to spend as much time here, so my tactic is to limit the poems that I post, haha! Sometimes a whole day, couple of days go by & I don't get comments, but I understand why, & it comes as a nice surprise when I get a comment on a poem. Compared to others, I hardly get any comments, and most of the time lately, I only get comments when I comment first to them. I feel guilty as it is if I don't get to comment back right away, but as I am learning, I think most people would understand if I don't do so right away... it can be quite time consuming & you become a hostage somewhat to it. Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/4/2014 4:29:00 PM by the way, how the HECK do you get your comments to go through in such a LONG way ??? I get booted off if mine go over a certain length. Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/4/2014 4:28:00 PM You are forgiven of ANYTHING, sweetie. YOu so rarely come here, it's just a pleasure to see you!!

Verlena S. Walker Date: 3/3/2014 9:46:00 PM Hello Andrea, I agree with the majority of the comments I read (in one way or the other). However, I think if we do something International to meet-up in person (via Forum, Television, etc...) starting with the U.S.A. and then so forth aboard back to U.S.A., PoetrySoup can go to the next level. What is your opinion on this idea? Verlena - Oblivion Dark Sunshine Login to Reply Verlena S. Walker Date: 3/4/2014 4:53:00 PM Okay Andrea... I see... Who at PoetrySoup is over promotions? Verlena Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/4/2014 4:27:00 PM sorry,dear. I am not sure what you are asking me. Don't know about this kind of stuff you are talking about.

Huberta Van Akkeren Date: 3/3/2014 4:38:00 PM Hi Andrea, As a newbie to this site i agree with what you are saying. It is rather confusing. While i am guilty of responding to comments made to my poems, i do so because that is where the comment is made...it seems like a conversation. however i do agree with you that it would be great to have everything come to one inbox and be able to respond from that same inbox. To me it does not seem logical to respond to a comment made on one page, on another page. However reading other peoples work and responding to it is a major part of this site, and making and receiving comments is how we can all improve our work. There are a lot of places on this site where people can react and it's confusing Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/4/2014 4:25:00 PM huberta, that is why we used to go to another person's poem and answer them there, since it would be seen in their box. The new way has its advantages I suppose. When the older members remember something we liked better, I guess we can appear pretty picky to newbies!!

Isaiah Zerbst Date: 3/3/2014 2:03:00 PM I noticed the same thing in my latest contest. I agree that it takes way more time to follow replies, and that most of them were senseless. To me, if someone actually takes the time to read my poetry and comment, that says a whole lot more than a thank you with a misspelled name. So far as I know they are not getting points for it. It seems to me that there are too many people focused on comments and reads rather than other peoples poems, which is what this site is about, right? Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/4/2014 4:30:00 PM RIGHT!!

Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/3/2014 1:46:00 PM Allow me to weigh in, I do not think any points are awarded for commenting on comments. For me I feel it is polite to respond to comments and I very much enjoy the dialogue that often results. It feels more like a conversation. I make a concerted effort to visit and read as many people as I can. At times it can be challanging. There are many who I visit who rarely read my work but I still enjoy reading and commenting on theirs. At the end of the day we are all limited by time and try to do our best. This is a good blog to help people see different perspectives. I personally admire your work and enjoy our interactions. Hugs Rick. Login to Reply Skat A Date: 3/3/2014 4:09:00 PM that's why we need a chat room that works. An active chat room. does any one remember the poetry pub. The owner had a chat room on the home page. awesome I tell you! Eileen Manassian Date: 3/3/2014 2:37:00 PM I agree with you, Richard... :)

Cyndi Macmillan Date: 3/3/2014 9:30:00 AM Heres a thought. I think when people are close enough, the dynamics of that relationship can move from perfect protocol, minding our Ps and our Qs, dotting our "i" to a different mind set... When my friend drops by my page to comment on a poem, I am touched. I will drop by his/ her poem, maybe not immediately, maybe even a week later, and I will read his/her verse(s) then maybe a few days or even weeks later my chum will read something I penned... no rush, no hurry, no expectations, just an "ease of familiarity" like that comfortable silence you can share with a true friend. Now, questions are different. Most questions are sent to me via soupmail... I think for newbies, it may feel awkward receiving comments and they worry about etiquette. What to do? How to do it? Friends know and trust that all is good and the love will eventually circle around. Me, I like to hear about how the poet is doing. I love it when someone comments to me, "I just went to a new bookstore or my granddaughter just turned six or, even, I just saw the best movie..." I think thank you is nice for strangers, but from friends? :D Tell me about your day, tell me how you've been, what is new. I don't need a thank you... I just want to connect with the people I like and the poets who have moved me. Just a thought, my chums. Login to Reply Richard Lamoureux Date: 3/3/2014 3:57:00 PM You make a number of good points. I very much appreciate a relaxed unrestricted approach. It is natural in most cases that of we are interested others are more likely to follow suit. I have attempted to connect with some people and it has not been reciprocal. At the end of the day that's okay, he all have our preferences. Overall this is a pretty amazing group of people. Eileen Manassian Date: 3/3/2014 12:30:00 PM I LOVE your blogs, Cyndi. You are SOOOO full of life and humor. :) Just had to say that.....Hugs....I also like what you posted here. Makes sense to me....My day? hmmmmmm...taught 3 classes..have a pile of things to correct and I'm here "chatting" with you. I'd say...pretty swell! HUGS

Eileen Manassian Date: 3/3/2014 9:01:00 AM Well, if nothing else...(we all must agree to disagree on this one)...your blog has brought to light who likes what!!! I'll make sure to keep those here in mind who don't need a word of thanks but rather have a visit. I mean...of course, that should happen anyway. On my thanks posts, I usually write...will be round to see you soon...and I do try to keep my word! Andrea...I'm guilty as charged. I asked you about how I could get my new form "recognized" on my comment to your comment! Oh dear...that does sound silly. I will make sure...with you...I GO STRAIGHT TO YOUR PAGE! :) HUGS...HUGS...You KNOW I love ya! Login to Reply Eileen Manassian Date: 3/3/2014 12:27:00 PM Oh Ruben....YOU are incorrigible.... ;) MOOOOOOO....Like your avatar....

Tim Ryerson Date: 3/3/2014 3:08:00 AM What's really irritating is that when I ADD something to a comment I've already made, I get an email saying 'Your comment has recieved a reply on Poetry Soup'...Gimmie a break! I am still convinced that replying to comments is a way to get either community points, most popular poet or poems points. I DO like the feature that notifies you when you have Soup Mail... Login to Reply Tim Ryerson Date: 3/3/2014 2:51:00 PM I'm with ya Ruben my friend! Wasn't referring to you either. We go back a long ways and actually I'm guilty of not returning YOUR comments! Like you, I read through the poem, make sure I understand it and then try to make some kind of rational comment. I refuse to do the 'nice poem', 'enjoyed', 'congrats' thing but to each his own I suppose... Skat A Date: 3/3/2014 10:43:00 AM Hope you love this notification TIM :) I heard a certain party will meet with you around April 18 or 22 if God's willing. I now just invited myself :) cheers. No worries, I got my own sleeping bag. Your neighbor SKAT Eileen Manassian Date: 3/3/2014 8:58:00 AM Well, it won't end here...cause I want to bug ya! HA HA! I sure hope you prefer mine... ;) Take it easy! Tim Ryerson Date: 3/3/2014 4:08:00 AM Hey Eileen...I just got TWO emails! One was my own reply and the other was yours. I much prefer yours...Ooops, now I'm gonna get ANOTHER email (Where WILL it all end?) Eileen Manassian Date: 3/3/2014 3:36:00 AM Hey Tim....Love ya and your poetry...You know that...Just making sure.... ;) Tim Ryerson Date: 3/3/2014 3:17:00 AM Like a lot of people, I have stopped commenting on people's poems when they don't comment back...I'm not referring to YOU Chris because I understand your reasoning. As far as the rest? Complete arrogance! Of course now I will get an email saying 'Your blog comment has recieved a reply'...

Debbie Guzzi Date: 3/2/2014 8:15:00 PM I clicked that OFF in my profile so if anyone wonders I am NOT seeing YOUR COMMENTS to MY comment.. it was just too much mail in my in box [go to your settings Andie & click it OFF] Login to Reply

Scott Thirtyseven Date: 3/2/2014 4:13:00 PM I don't get out much, so seeing stuff in my in box gets me excited. But I do agree, I rarely reply to comments on my poems. I thought that the idea was you visited the other poet's works. You know, "support those who are supporting you". Login to Reply Debbie Guzzi Date: 3/2/2014 8:20:00 PM I read contest winners in contest I have entered [just to see what the heck that judge likes?] and I never read anyone's work with out leaving a comment [why bother?] Then again so few people leave a comment that is of any use at all? [PS I'd still rather they leave one?] Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/2/2014 5:34:00 PM Awesome, Scott. YOu are right on the money

Anne-Lise Andresen Date: 3/2/2014 2:35:00 PM - "Your comment on poem ***** has received a reply on PoetrySoup." - - "Your comment on poem ***** has received a reply on PoetrySoup." - - "Your comment on poem ***** has received a reply on PoetrySoup." - my inbox is full of reply.... Why do we need to get those - I agree !!!!! : it was better before !!!!!! - oxox // Anne-Lise :) Login to Reply

Carol Eastman Date: 3/2/2014 1:51:00 PM I think the modern age is joining us... On twitter and face book it has become a line of comments that are like a conversation... This is becoming communication... however simple it is... It's here, too. Login to Reply

Just That Archaic Poet Date: 3/2/2014 1:48:00 PM I always thank people for leaving comments on the poem they commented on; sometimes I don't have time to go to that person's page and leave a comment on a poem so I say a quick "thanks" etc. If they are interested in what I have to say, people can always come back later to see if I have replied. I don't think any one method is more "lame" than another; it's all a matter of personal preference I suppose. Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/2/2014 5:37:00 PM It does not take much time to click on the person's name and thank them on their own poem. It's more convenient to those person. Anyway, like Becca says, it all depends on what you like to do. However, I think a lot of people prefer the old style we used to have here at Soup.

Charmaine Chircop Date: 3/2/2014 1:47:00 PM Hi Andrea..I blocked the notifications of everything..I love it the old way..Reading the other's person poem..and then in the end thanking him her for reading mine..Though nowadays I feel confused when one asks me a question..where to answer..Yes its more complicated..and if i have some time..I prefer to use it reading my friends poetry and thanking them there..Unfortunately i dnt have time to do thankyous under my poetry and then reading poetry..So manytimes Im still using the old fashioned way and do two in one : )..Re points i have no clue dear..I dnt know why these points are so important after all..Big hugs and happy yeppy sunday : ) Login to Reply Charmaine Chircop Date: 3/4/2014 2:01:00 AM Andrea..I love things as simple as can be..and time restricts me even to read as much poems as I wish..So.imagine if I had to spend the little time I have on thankyous seperately..I wont be able to.read the wonderful poems provided. Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/2/2014 5:38:00 PM You are thinking like me, Charma. THe new age, the twitter age, it is not for me!!

Eileen Manassian Date: 3/2/2014 1:02:00 PM Hi, Andrea....good questions here. I know of at least two poets whose comments I have RECENTLY read who like to read the comments as much as the poetry....No, I'm not mentioning names because I'm in this group as well! It's all about community AS WELL as poetry. Please check my response on Becca's post. I will try to be better...but I do like reading what others have posted on my work and responding to them and thanking them there...I guess it takes all kinds! :) Oh...and I don't give a hoot about points.... Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/2/2014 5:40:00 PM I get you, Eileen. The problem is that with people like me and PD, we can't keep up with people who are answering our questions at their own poems. I would dearly love to see what personal things they were saying to me, but I just don't have time to see all those things in my email! If I see all their comments to me in my inbox, it's so nice for me!

Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/2/2014 12:57:00 PM Becca, I like what you say about cohesion. Yes, people can get the train of thought when it's all done at one place. but I like even better what Flo brought up down here. They could make us a different inbox (or outbox?) just for these special cases, replies to comments. I read so many poems that when I go to my hotmail and see notifications, there are too many comments to comments for me to get to. Also, more than half my notifications are becoming comments to comments. It's disheartening. I think most of us want to know people are reading our stuff, not just commenting to us on their comment we gave them and saying things like thanks, which we will probably never see. Login to Reply Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/2/2014 5:42:00 PM oh my, Catie, I have not even noticed all THIS stuff you are talking about. I guess that is because I delete so many notifications with no time to look at them all. I know this happens a lot at FB and I hate it. Eileen Manassian Date: 3/2/2014 1:06:00 PM Andrea....if you've left someone a comment on their poem...then you check the notification FOR THAT POEM....To be honest....(oh dear)...I don't check all the comment responses to my comments. If I'm curious...yes...If I think it's just a "Thanks for dropping by"....no. It depends...and though it does fill the inbox...you can still pick and choose. Am I making sense? Your points are very good....Oh dear...nothing is ever perfect, is it? Then again, maybe I don't get as many notifications as you do....so I'm not AS bothered! ;)

Poet Destroyer A Date: 3/2/2014 12:47:00 PM Andrea, I don't think you gain points by commenting a reply.....lol.....if that was so I'd be rich...by commenting replies only....hahaha. jk.....love it Login to Reply

Poet Destroyer A Date: 3/2/2014 12:43:00 PM by, the way Andrea, I will not post my collaboration with Tim, ....I'm not posting for a long while ... my Valentines was only a greeting. a floppy hello. However, I've written many collaborations, with friends. for Jared' s contest. thank you for asking. also thanks for always dropping by. you're the best. always will be. Laterz...... PD Login to Reply

Poet Destroyer A Date: 3/2/2014 12:35:00 PM Andrea, late....you know what, I brought up the same thing. ..it's bad for the soup. tacky. hey, but i will use it. lol..... listen to her soup.... I have over 1000 of replied comments, that I don't care to seek. would not even know where to start. Login to Reply Poet Destroyer A Date: 3/2/2014 4:30:00 PM what new point system? Andrea Dietrich Date: 3/2/2014 12:59:00 PM what's about the new point system. I am clueless. And yes, I remember you blogging about this topic before. I think people misunderstood your main POINT. hahaha. Not that kind of poiint, but you were talking about the inconvenience of it mostly. Poet Destroyer A Date: 3/2/2014 12:39:00 PM im gonna reply on my own comment. ..lol..crazy crazy....lol...I like the new point system the soup has.lol......glad they found a new way in filtering our poems. checkmate!

David Williams Date: 3/2/2014 12:06:00 PM Hi Andrea my comment on your comment about the comments left at comments is ...what do you mean gain points? Gain points for what? Is there a prize? I don't do it so I can't help you afraid...hope your Sunday is going ok... Login to Reply