The New Intimacy

Be honest. How often do you reply to a thread without reading the responses before yours?

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Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
I see a lot of responses that fly in the face of what the originator of the thread asked, and also many responses that either parrot what someone else said, or ended up nearly insulting a previous poster by what the post said or how the poster said it. I also see comments which were previous posts made unnecessary by their statement of fact, either because someone before them posted a link to research or fact or due to the way someone else said something.

I think this could be eliminated if everyone actually READ what others had to say in a thread before posting. Also, reading other community member's ideas could help jell one's own responses, but maybe help us think about our own biases.

So, how often do you reply to a post without reading what the posters before you have tried to say?

I think this thread will prove itself.

Voting is private.
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I always read all the responses before posting.
7  (8%)
I nearly always (more than 95% of the time) read all the responses before posting.
39  (42%)
I sometimes simply put my opinion without reading to see what others have written before me
35  (38%)
I rarely (less than 50% of the time) read the posts written before I post.
2  (2%)
I never read what other people have to say. I simply post and never look what the rest of the community has to say about the issue.
1  (1%)
I just post to get the points. My posts rarely make sense or apply to the OP's question.
Some of the threads are LOOOOONG and I want to say what I want to say, why do I have to read it ALL?
9  (10%)
Total votes: 93
Poll is closed
08/17/2011
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Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
In some cases it almost doesn't matter, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen a fight or argument spring up in a thread, work itself out, and then somebody come in without reading through everything and bring the whole thing back up. This is also how months old posts end up getting flagged again and again long after they've been taken care of. I try to read through everything before I post, just to make sure I've got the whole story.
08/17/2011
Contributor: LaLaLouise LaLaLouise
Most of the time I do read the ones before me, but if there are just a LOT of responses, I'll skim through a few and then post my response.
08/17/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Jul!a
In some cases it almost doesn't matter, but I can't tell you how many times I've seen a fight or argument spring up in a thread, work itself out, and then somebody come in without reading through everything and bring the whole thing back ... more
It's much appreciated by many. I feel the same way.
08/17/2011
Contributor: catgirl9 catgirl9
No matter what forum I'm on online, I almost always read every post before I post a reply. Not doing so would be akin to jumping into the middle of a conversation, saying something, and then moving on. I think it's rude and somewhat disrespectful to the just disregard what other people have said.

Now, if it's something that doesn't really matter a whole lot, yeah I might not read every post. Like, 'what's your favorite soda' type stuff. But, when it comes to threads of substance, I read all the posts. Not only might I learn something, but it is nice to hear other viewpoints and opinions on many different subjects.
08/17/2011
Contributor: JessCee JessCee
I almost always read all of the responses before replying... if there is a crazy number of replies, I still skim through them to see substantial replies. like catgirl9 said, if it's a topic like 'what's your favorite ________' I don't read much into the replies there.

I think it's really important to see if the tone of the discussion has changed... etc... before posting.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Coralbell Coralbell
I never post without reading what others said. I usually read the entire thread, but sometimes I will skim over parts of it if there are a ton of posts.
08/17/2011
Contributor: toxie m toxie m
Quote:
Originally posted by LaLaLouise
Most of the time I do read the ones before me, but if there are just a LOT of responses, I'll skim through a few and then post my response.
This. If there are pages of responses I'll often skim/skip some and then post my own. It's most often in silly opinion threads, if it's an actual discussion I will take the time to read the whole thing before posting.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
I usually read through all of the previous responses first, but if the thread was just asking about some non-important stuff, then I'll just type my feedback. Sometimes when I see lots of arguments in a thread, I'll just stay away from it.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Elaira Elaira
I really like to get the general tone of what's going on. I'll look and see if anyone's made a point similar to mine, usually quote them, or add on to what they said.

Plus, I'm in the forums for a reason. I like to see what other people are talking about! It helps you get to know your forum-mates better!
08/17/2011
Contributor: Ryuson Ryuson
(Review Program Mentor)
I usually skim them, like TxyMxy said! Or if it's a 'What Color is your..." thread I usually just read the last few responses and post!
08/17/2011
Contributor: Kindred Kindred
I read every post before I make a comment.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
I usually don't read all the posts. i'll read like the a few from the first page and that's pretty much it. i didn't know there was thread protocol?
08/17/2011
Contributor: sexyintexas sexyintexas
Lol, I was thinking of this on the GC thread earlier Sometimes I will read all the way through but I must confess that if it is something that gets me a little excited sometimes I do post before reading it all. Just to end up feeling like a doofus when I get to the end and see that it is resolved
08/17/2011
Contributor: Redboxbaby Redboxbaby
I almost always read all the posts before commenting, unless I am late to a club meeting. Then, I will see where the meeting is, follow from there, going back later to read what I missed once the meeting is over.
08/17/2011
Contributor: indiglo indiglo
Quote:
Originally posted by catgirl9
No matter what forum I'm on online, I almost always read every post before I post a reply. Not doing so would be akin to jumping into the middle of a conversation, saying something, and then moving on. I think it's rude and somewhat ... more
Pretty much this goes for me too. If it's a thread of substance, I'll read it. If it's a silly opinion thread, I don't really worry about reading each reply.
08/17/2011
Contributor: namelesschaos namelesschaos
I almost always read the whole thing, exception polls with really simple question like "what your favorite color" and live thread like the party threads were i just read enough to know what the current topic is assuming I wasn't their from the start. Their is another forum I go to were you get warnings/suspensions if you don't read the x most recent pages in a thread.
08/17/2011
Contributor: JessCee JessCee
Quote:
Originally posted by Ms. Spice
I usually don't read all the posts. i'll read like the a few from the first page and that's pretty much it. i didn't know there was thread protocol?
I'm not entirely sure if the last part was genuine or sarcasm.

but, there most definitely isn't a thread protocol... i like to think it's maybe more like thread courtesy.

That being said, I don't really mind if someone doesn't read every response until instances, like yesterday, with the GC thread. There can be pertinent information in the replies in discussions like that.
08/17/2011
Contributor: ellejay ellejay
In discussion threads (as in not, say, EdenGames threads), I will make an effort to at least skim all of the posts. However, I find myself posting in the games forum just to get a break from sex toys - I KNOW, I know, but after browsing the site for a certain period of time, I need a lighthearted break - and in those threads, I'll only look at the last page of posts.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I make an effort to read all of the previous posts, especially if it is a thread where new information may have been added since the first post (the gift card thread about be a perfect example).
08/17/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Mostly I do - voted 95% - but there are some long responses out there that I don't read. Remember folks; "Brevity is the soul of wit!"
08/17/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Redboxbaby
I almost always read all the posts before commenting, unless I am late to a club meeting. Then, I will see where the meeting is, follow from there, going back later to read what I missed once the meeting is over.
I do the same thing for a fast moving thread. With a meeting, you'll never catch up.

Again, its different with silly threads. My main concern was threads in which thought or logic or fact is important before answering.

I appreciate everyone's honesty.
08/17/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by Gunsmoke
Mostly I do - voted 95% - but there are some long responses out there that I don't read. Remember folks; "Brevity is the soul of wit!"
"Brevity is the soul of wit!" Which is a tactic I need to learn.

DAMN, I'm long winded.
08/17/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Quote:
Originally posted by JessCee
I'm not entirely sure if the last part was genuine or sarcasm.

but, there most definitely isn't a thread protocol... i like to think it's maybe more like thread courtesy.

That being said, I don't really mind if someone ... more
Yeah, what JessCee said. More courtesy than "protocol." There is no rule about "having" to read the entire thing, but it does help with confusion and misunderstandings.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
I usually always read all the responses. not all of the time though
08/17/2011
Contributor: tickle me pink tickle me pink
I try to, but often times it seems to depend on the nature of the thread and how long it is. For instance, like a few have already mentioned, if I'm on a simple thread like "What did you have for breakfast today?" I'll pretty much skim the replies as I'm scrolling down to post my response, because I hardly think that "Oh yeah, I totally had eggs and toast!" is going to matter too much. Now if the thread is on a more touchy or involved subject, which there are plenty of on here, I'll try to read everything so I can post a more educated answer.
08/17/2011
Contributor: GravyCakes GravyCakes
it depends on the post for me.
08/17/2011
Contributor: Kim! Kim!
I'm another it depends on the post person. I don't really want to read 8 pages of which shapes you've shaved your pubes into and I just want to say that I've made an elephant, rhinoceros, puzzle piece, ice cream cone, and a bear paw. Okay, I might actually read 8 pages of that but you see my point. Also, I've never shaved my pubes into a shape. But if it's something that is a purely discussion-based situation then I will read all of the responses and sometimes they will spark a comment and other times after reading through I decide not to add my input.
08/17/2011
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
If the thread is old, I tend to skim through. It depends on the topic. If it is new I usually put my two cents in and go back, but skim along the way.
08/17/2011
Contributor: js250 js250
I only read posts that catch my interest, so part of the fun is reading what others have said ahead of me and then replying later. I have jumped into a thread after reading it to add some advice or such, but only if it is a personal story or feeling and I feel like I can help or make the person feel better. I usually wait until the end. So that I do not miss pertinent parts of my replies, I will right click and open link new page on some threads that have points I wish to contribute to. I don't answer all of them, but it helps me to remember everything. Isn't reading the rest of the comments part of the fun? For fun post without much content, I will skim previous replies and either click off or answer if it is a game.
08/17/2011