Why do You reply to a thread?

What about a thread makes you write a reply? I see some very deserving threads on ATS and there are only a couple replies if any. Then I see threads about some Hollywood actor and there are plenty of replies. This does not make sense to me and I am sure some of you have seen it. There are other examples of this here on ATS, what do you think?

reply to post by bakednutz

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I can only speak for myself, of course.
I reply to posts that somehow "touch me" , to posts that interest me and to posts that hit soft spot.
But if issue was discussed somewhere else ,even at a different angle, i feel that i can add no more and my job is done.
For example, global warming.
I posted several times my view, read other more informative opinions and feel that for now nobody can lock on truth. So i read, and absorb.
Good post ,issue discussed and i have nothing to add.

I reply when i have a strong reason to either agree or offer counterpoint on any subject in which i'm passionate about.

I only reply to threads that have lots and lots of flags, they must be the best ones.






Really, i only reply if,
1.the topic interests me.
2. the OP has obviously spent time researching the subject.(then i think they deserve a reply)
3. i think i have something of value to add that hasn't been covered yet.
4. or like this reply i'm bored and want to kill some time.

If I can add something to the discussion, then I reply. But by my not replying I am in no way saying I didn't like the thread. I could always toss in a simple 'hey, great thread' reply, or 'I agree too', but that doesn't really add to the thread (other than making it longer). I too see many threads that are very well written and really add something to ATS with only a handful of replies. But that's the nature of discussion boards...

I tend to stay away from the heavily flagged threads, I'll read but not respond.

I post to topics that interest me or topics I can offer something back to.

I tend to have opinions on everything, but not everything is worth me typing out an opinion for.

Being an original THREAD KILLER v1.0 I can wield my powers for good or evil.
I can add my 2 cents to any thread and squash it if I am not careful.

I am my own worst enemy sometimes. I can start a thread that is well thought out and try to inspire a dialog only to find out I had killed my own thread.

I feel like king midas at times.


On topic:
I respond to threads that I can relate to mostly. If one challenges me, I will try to add to it. If it makes me angry, I wait before I hit send, or not.
If it is just plain stupid and I'm bored, I may indulge him for my entertainment until something else catches my attention.

I think I am just an average poster with too much free time.

seems to me, the posts that get the most replies on ATS follow a certain format, usually asking for an opinion.. like

"What do you think of ____"

or

"What would you do if ____"

I reply to threads where I either feel strongly about or think I have somethng to offer to the debate, (most often as not I haven't though ).

There are quite a lot of threads that I follow intently but choose not to post as I feel I can not offer another viewpoint which hasn't been posted or that I am not informed enough to contribute.
Those are the threads I tend to learn most from and "inspire" me to investigate further myself either here on ATS or elsewhere.

Edit to add:

I also think I am becoming a Thread Killer par excellence, (it is a natural born talent that some are born with )

[edit on 5-3-2008 by Freeborn]

reply to post by bakednutz

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I can tell you why I replied to THIS thread: not only because it is an interesting question, but because it dovetails with something else I've been thinking about for the past few days.

Namely, I think that one of the main reasons for so many interesting subjects to go ignored is the simple fact that they disappear from the main page all too soon. But, based on my own experiences and observation, it's not because they are less interesting. (Once they get "exhumed" they do seem to generate interest.)

I am not sure whether everyone is fully aware of this simple fact, but I am sure a lot of members - or at least some, with interesting things to say - do not live in the same time zones as the American members. Which means that, by the time we have anything to say, the gross of the ATS readership is away from their PC screens.
And because, let's face it, most of the highest interest generating threads involve strange creatures or conspiracies, threads that tackle other subjects are likely to be overridden in no time.

I think I have an idea...
I'll post it here shortly. .)

reply to post by mojo4sale

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What if someone just posted a groundbreaking thread seconds before you view it?

Would you not comment?



I reply for the points.........saving up for that sweet ATS Anti-gravity Propulsion system for my UFO.....

Jk

I reply because I like immersing myself into a wild conspiracy world.

reply to post by Vanitas

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I completely agree with many of the reasons already stated.

I would also like to toss in my two cents about the main page. The main recent postings page for members seems shorter than the page for non-members. I wish it was the other way around.

It might be an illusion, with ads and all. I have tried to compare counts in the past and I end up cross-eyed half-way through.

I'll add this - I read far more than I post and I always try to read posts and introductions that have bottomed out w/out a reply. If they are coherent or earnest, I will try to add something if I can, just to give a bump and recirculate it for newly-logged in members to see.

Most of you are saying such things like "cause I like the topic" and the like, but admit it...

Most people here are posting to get more of those little points below our names.

You can tell the people who are doing this too. They have nothing to add, just want to put their thoughts on paper for themselfs to read, cause no one else will really pays attention to these types of posters. Essentially, they are talking to themselfs and the point system is the only reference to being acknowledged.

I dont add much here, if ever, but when I do, I try not to be one of these people I speak of above. Point Farmers.

OMG. Double post.


....sigh, point farming ftl.

[edit on 7-3-2008 by JbT]

Desire, Im addicted to giving into desire, thats all.
I dont have a choice as to what I reply to, its all my ego. Im working on that one. Im sure as soon as I have it figured out I will only speak when spoken to.
So sorry if any of my posts come off jaded. I love everyone.

I have never found a thread yet that moved me to post a reply nor will I ever............................Darn !

I reply when I am interested in what is being discussed, or when I have a different opinion and think it should be shared. That being said, sometimes I'll reply and then decide NOT to post it...as it really isn't adding anything to the discussion.

I discovered ATS quite by accident and spend a lot of time just reading all kinds of posts. People here are very knowledgable (and entertaining).

I'm clueless about points and such. What do you do with them, anyway?

reply to post by bakednutz

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Normally I would not reply to a thread that has evolved to the extent of this one.

All the reasons I would reply to a thread have already been stated. I get very bored with threads that have repetitive answers.

I do admire ATSers that can start a thread and receive numerous posts when there really isn't any depth or interesting content in the OP. So, I am replying to your thread to help you do what I believe you started this thread for in the first place......to get points.

Don't mistake my comments for criticism. I complement your effort.

Dizzie

IMO, the more ridiculous or way out the subject is the more replies it gets. This can be disappointing in that some extremely worthy OP's get ignored.

Going by flags is not really a good idea as others have mentioned and often just signifies either a fight or a sheeple palace. I go more often than not by the OP title. A good title will get me every time but don't think that means "shapeshifting reptilian on TV last night" is it. Although dollars to donuts that OP will get a zillion responses.

If the title interests me I will then read the OP and if the OP is good I will then try to read every single post not only to follow along but I believe it's just common courtesy to do so. I don't like it when people ignore my posts and then say the exact same thing 2 posts later so I don't want to do that to someone else.

I also tend to gravitate toward the areas that most interest me which I think everyone does. However, I also try to peruse the entire site when I can and often find some great conversation in BTS. BTS is also good when you want to lighten up or take a breather from the heavy or whack job stuff that should have been in skunk anyway.

I started lurking in the UFO forum and stuck to that for about a year before actually becoming a member. Once I started posting I began to orbit out and to tell you the truth, I am now here 2 years and spend very little time in the UFO forum.

I guess to review, it's the title excitement, then OP interest, then read response posts and finally to post myself. However, I usually have decided to post or not after reading the OP. Sometimes refraining because the thread is just too saturated.

I hope this helps but obviously I could have made my point with a shorter post. When I get tired I tend to just start droning and my IQ begins to drop off rapidly.