Do you bother to read any of the posts on a topic *before* you dive in with your own opinions?

[seancbk]

It seems to me that people on this forum usually only read the OP on a topic then immediately just post their own reply, without actually bothering to read the threads to see if anyone else has posted the same thing, if anyone has explained the OP in more detail or if there is some other reason their post will be redundant.

On forums, I try to read all the previous posts *before* I add my own comments. If there are too many to read then I usually don't bother posting, typically because I will have read 3 or 4 pages of comments that are just based on the OP rather than an actual threaded discussion of considered replies.

Aside from being lazy, is there a reason people on here don't first gauge the relevance of their planned response by reading more of the existing comments, before posting themselves?

[beachproperty]

This is TV.....what did you expect???

Problem is that I didn't read your whole post as I wanted to reply immediately ....I was trying to first gauge the relevance of my response (WOW I think its pretty relevant) .....sorry ...just too lazy!

[CharlieH]

I, and I suspect many others, will read the OP, possibly a few more posts and then offer a comment, not many will read pages and pages of entries as they dont have the time, desire nor patience to do so and would prefer to just hit and run to the next item of interest.

If the topic is relatively new with say 1 page of comment then probably most will read.

If its an ongoing thread with 80 pages I suspect most will go to the last few entries.

[JLCrab]

I try to read as much as I can if a topic interests me but some of the posts are needlessly long. Whether here or on other websites -- especially Twitter -- I try to keep my responses short. That way, people have already read your stuff before they realize that they wished they hadn't read it.

[seancbk]

Thanks for the responses.

I'll usually read at least the first 1 or 2 pages and I will read more if the comments make sense.

I guess it depends on the OP itself. If the OP causes outrage amongst the members then you'll see people just blindly hitting the keyboard with their indignation at full bore, if on the other hand the OP doesn't get them riled up they can be a bit more considered.

The reason I asked my original question was in relation to today's post about the American couple who say they've moved here to escape the stress of California.

On that thread it looks like very few people bothered to read (and even less to analyse) the source article, everyone seems to have read the OP, been annoyed by what they perceive it says and then just blasted out their ill informed opinions.

I know I shouldn't let it get to me but some things about TV do bug me :-)

[ukrules]

I will generally read the first couple of pages of a topic but if it's about 5 or more pages then I won't bother reading them all unless it's something I'm quite interested in.

Of course it all depends on the topic. If someone requests an opinion then I'll post my opinion without reading all the other replies - like now for instance.

If you're asking for information then I'll read the other replies and if I have anything new to add I'll add my post.

[Travel2003]

Have to admit, I tend to start speed read through the longer posts.

If already generated a lot of pages, it must be very interesting if I want to really participate, since my post will most likely just be one of many.

[beachproperty]

Thanks for the responses.

I'll usually read at least the first 1 or 2 pages and I will read more if the comments make sense.

I guess it depends on the OP itself. If the OP causes outrage amongst the members then you'll see people just blindly hitting the keyboard with their indignation at full bore, if on the other hand the OP doesn't get them riled up they can be a bit more considered.

The reason I asked my original question was in relation to today's post about the American couple who say they've moved here to escape the stress of California.

On that thread it looks like very few people bothered to read (and even less to analyse) the source article, everyone seems to have read the OP, been annoyed by what they perceive it says and then just blasted out their ill informed opinions.

I know I shouldn't let it get to me but some things about TV do bug me :-)

I completely understand your frustration....I did look at the topic you refer to ...and read the first page of posts and then read "the original story" which explained a little more (actually explained that they WERE paying off their student loans and apparently NOT skipping out)....but if you did not read the whole story I can see how some could come to the conclusion they were deadbeats.....

Personally I didn't respond because it seems it was ALL said as evidenced by the over 7 pages of response ...just on the first day. Nothing else to add!

[MichaelJackson]

If its a few lines on a comment but long winded drivel gets passed over, links too mostly.

[HeijoshinCool]

Have to admit, I tend to start speed read through the longer posts.

If already generated a lot of pages, it must be very interesting if I want to really participate, since my post will most likely just be one of many.

So, you find page after page of the same two posters bickering and name calling, sandwiched between mod warnings, "interesting?"

[mca]

Have to admit, I tend to start speed read through the longer posts.

If already generated a lot of pages, it must be very interesting if I want to really participate, since my post will most likely just be one of many.

So, you find page after page of the same two posters bickering and name calling, sandwiched between mod warnings, "interesting?"

I prefer the ones which mention fugitive, clone, man in Dubai or convicted at least 100000 times in the same thread. A few hundred comparisons to Hitler or Stalin don't go amiss either.

[seancbk]

Thanks for the responses.

I'll usually read at least the first 1 or 2 pages and I will read more if the comments make sense.

I guess it depends on the OP itself. If the OP causes outrage amongst the members then you'll see people just blindly hitting the keyboard with their indignation at full bore, if on the other hand the OP doesn't get them riled up they can be a bit more considered.

The reason I asked my original question was in relation to today's post about the American couple who say they've moved here to escape the stress of California.

On that thread it looks like very few people bothered to read (and even less to analyse) the source article, everyone seems to have read the OP, been annoyed by what they perceive it says and then just blasted out their ill informed opinions.

I know I shouldn't let it get to me but some things about TV do bug me :-)

I completely understand your frustration....I did look at the topic you refer to ...and read the first page of posts and then read "the original story" which explained a little more (actually explained that they WERE paying off their student loans and apparently NOT skipping out)....but if you did not read the whole story I can see how some could come to the conclusion they were deadbeats.....

Personally I didn't respond because it seems it was ALL said as evidenced by the over 7 pages of response ...just on the first day. Nothing else to add!

As evidenced by the post I mentioned, more and more posters are chiming in on that thread having obviously only read as far as the OP.

I don't suppose you found my post on that thread did you? http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681226-california-couple-moves-to-thailand-to-avoid-the-financial-stress-of-living-in-the-us/?p=7033493

[beachproperty]

As evidenced by the post I mentioned, more and more posters are chiming in on that thread having obviously only read as far as the OP.

I don't suppose you found my post on that thread did you? http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681226-california-couple-moves-to-thailand-to-avoid-the-financial-stress-of-living-in-the-us/?p=7033493

I did....and you obviously have a better eye than I had....PR job picked up by the Press to push their blog....smart young couple!

[seancbk]

As evidenced by the post I mentioned, more and more posters are chiming in on that thread having obviously only read as far as the OP.

I don't suppose you found my post on that thread did you? http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/681226-california-couple-moves-to-thailand-to-avoid-the-financial-stress-of-living-in-the-us/?p=7033493

I did....and you obviously have a better eye than I had....PR job picked up by the Press to push their blog....smart young couple!

Thanks. I picked up on it because first of all I've got nothing against a couple coming here (and could care less whether they paid their student loans or not - but that is a different subject as the whole concept of student loans is foreign to me) and enjoying life near a beach while they do freelance work and secondly I was intrigued to know how they planned to actually find work (I figured it had to be work from outside Thailand that they were already doing).

Once I read the article I figured it was just a PR piece.

[aveabeeror2]

I always do,what I would like to know is,do people bother to read the posts before adding their two bobs worth.

[kannot]

Nah I just dive in with any ole crap..............what else have I got to do?

[seancbk]

I always do,what I would like to know is,do people bother to read the posts before adding their two bobs worth.

It appears that whilst some people do try to read the previous posts before chiming in, many people do not.

It also seems to depend on the content of the OP.

For example if someone started a Thread titled something like this - I've left the USA (or UK) without paying my 1 million dollar tax bill so now I can live in Thailand for the rest of my life!

You can bet that a whole slew of members (probably older gentlemen) would think that was out of order and start posting their opinions on why they didn't like the sound of it.

Internet forums.... a strange mix of people who probably wouldn't want to mix in real life.

[MrWorldwide]

Given that I've been accused of posting under different board names in a particularly special thread, including a PM from a moron asking me if I was really who I said I was (!), I've found that reading every third post is often less damaging to my mental health.

[seancbk]

Given that I've been accused of posting under different board names in a particularly special thread, including a PM from a moron asking me if I was really who I said I was (!), I've found that reading every third post is often less damaging to my mental health.

I've often wondered if you really are Pitbull... but I figure why would anyone use his picture unless it was actually him.

;-)

[canuckamuck]

Learn to skim and to make your point efficiently. it keeps things moving along.

[watcharacters]

I try to read as much as I can if a topic interests me but some of the posts are needlessly long. Whether here or on other websites -- especially Twitter -- I try to keep my responses short. That way, people have already read your stuff before they realize that they wished they hadn't read it.

.

Isn't Twitter limited to 140 + /- characters per post?

I'm not a member so I only ask...

[JLCrab]

I try to read as much as I can if a topic interests me but some of the posts are needlessly long. Whether here or on other websites -- especially Twitter -- I try to keep my responses short. That way, people have already read your stuff before they realize that they wished they hadn't read it.

.

Isn't Twitter limited to 140 + /- characters per post?

I'm not a member so I only ask...

140 characters max per post. That can include links to URLs but sometimes that prevents a Post being listed in search mode on someone else's twitter account. Some of this just comes from trial & error.

[weegee]

Nah I just dive in with any ole crap..............what else have I got to do?

You are absolutely right there........

[harrry]

No (if the topic is like this)

[HeijoshinCool]

Given that I've been accused of posting under different board names in a particularly special thread, including a PM from a moron asking me if I was really who I said I was (!), I've found that reading every third post is often less damaging to my mental health.

Unfortunately, every third post is by a moron.

This is post # 25.

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