On Blog Comments

Often times, on online forums such as blogs and livejournals and message boards, comments are made that offer nothing real, and often are better off left unmade. This comes in a variety of forms. One I've seen is a simple:

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This one seems to denote "I've read this post and have nothing more to offer about it." In this case, why the hell have you bothered to comment? Imagine you are a leader of some group or body: would you, in such a case, throw an entire press conference to point out that you are aware of something and have nothing to say about it? I should think not!

Of course, much more common, grievous, and insipid is a response of "LOL!!!" or "HAHA THATS FUNNY!" or perhaps "Oh man, that's funny because of [restatement of punch line and/or key element of set up]!" We're all proud that you get the joke, and I'm sure the author is satisfied with himself or herself that they have amused you, but these serve almost as little purpose as the voiceless recognition of point comments mentioned above, and are many times more annoying.

Another common comment message that I have yet to form a solid opinion on is often expressed via the web shorthand "iawtc" (which I like to think of as being pronounced "yowtch"), or "I agree with this comment." This has more substance than the above items, because it at least offers an opinion, if not an original one. On the other hand, it carries little more purpose than saying "I have nothing to say." If you do agree, maybe you have something more to offer on the point, or perhaps there is something in particular that you found agreeable about the original post or thread?

Of course, for all its wordiness, this post has little more purpose than all that I've mentioned. I will write something a lot better later, though.