Many Layers of the Commenting Onion
From my first step into the world of social media, I was fascinated by people who regularly inhabit comment sections. I still wonder what drives someone to become a regular commenter but also why many never participate by commenting. Some of the beBee regular commenters engage with almost every post. Unlike them, there are many who never offered an opinion online but regularly push the Relevant button.
I have seen a wide range of approaches to leaving comments on blogs over the last three years on beBee. My approach is - don’t comment for the sake of commenting, which is in line with my writing philosophy. As seen on this platform, many would disagree with me.
An onion with its layers is an appropriate metaphor for personal social networks and circles of friendships. Social media interaction through commenting is wrapped in many layers. As circles differ in the quality and quantity of relationships, the commenting onion layers differ in the quality of comments. Each layer reveals comments which differ in interpretation, meaning and purpose.
The outermost dry layer represents meaningless, throw-away comments that are completely irrelevant to the topic. I have one piece of advice to the authors of such comments - scroll past if you are not interested in real engagement.
Peeling the next layer away reveals comments which don't say much that builds on the conversation. I call them 'great-post comments' in which commenters don't say why the post is actually 'great.' Some even put 'extra effort' into their comments and simply repeat what the author already said. It is okay to show some appreciation to the blogger, however, when you opt to engage in this form of communication, then don't make a comment for the sake of commenting.
As we approach the core, layers reveal comments that are more thoughtful and relevant. Commenters have obviously read the post, they ask questions, give examples, personal stories, or put another point of view that provides value to the author and the readership. Their comments may be short, but they add to the discussion.
At the core of a metaphorical onion, there are comments that stand out. Several commenters/writers definitely deliver value. They stir the pot and generate discussions. Their comments serve as fuel for more comments by bringing others into discussions. I don't mean two-person threads where a commenter and a writer lead their endless dialogue, but threads where more people discuss and make the conversation interesting enough that others want to join.
These top commenters are also regular content contributors. We all know who they are. Some of them are far less engaged lately, but their contribution always enriches discussions. Their comments helped me grow as a blogger.
Unfortunately, peeling layers away sometimes reveals rotten and smelly layers.
Even in our small community, there were people who deliberately provoked others online to make them upset and angry. Don't mix such comments with negative comments. Negative comments discuss a matter, while provokers and haters attack a person’s character.
Thanks to the beBee management, as well as a positive and supportive community, this platform is not a fertile ground for those who behave in a rude and disrespectful way.
On the other side, peeling commenting onion also reveals slimy comments. These are comments that are sugary to an excessive or servile degree. I wrote about it in one of my blog posts.
Peeling the commenting onion is also a metaphor for a learning process. Blogging is considered a tool for sharing knowledge, but a comment section may also be a fantastic learning resource. Often, conversations in the comments are more valuable than the post itself. Many new thoughts and ideas were born in the comments exchange. I am thrilled that some of my comments also inspired other bloggers, and gave them ideas for their posts.
Comments benefit the commenter, the author and readers as well. Also, commenting on other people's blogs is a great writing practice.
Please, put more effort into your comments next time. It will add value not only to your online reputation but also to someone else's post.
All of you who feel too shy to engage with the comment section (I was one of you), assume it is a place when friends gather together to discuss interesting ideas. You have time to think before participating. For me, commenting was a starting point for blogging. Give it a try. Take that first step and make someone's day by commenting on their post!
Članci od Lada 🏡 Prkic
Pogledaj blogI am a civil engineer and love everything about engineering and architecture. I love watching shows ...
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. When in Split, enjoy drinking coffee as the · Splitians · (Split ...
This short buzz is inspired by a comment by · Phil Friedman. He commented on LinkedIn on the share o ...
Vezani profesionalci
Možda će vas zanimati ovi poslovi
-
Crypto Growth Hacker
Pronađeno u: beBee S2 HR - prije 17 sati
Tokenmetrics Zagreb, Hrvatska Puno radno vrijemeToken Metrics is looking for an experienced Growth Hacker to join our team. The ideal candidate will drive awareness and sales of our products and services. In this role, you will work with our team to determine key pain points, bottlenecks, and opportunities for our business. Yo ...
-
Network Engineer
Pronađeno u: beBee S2 HR - prije 1 dan
Transcom Croatia Zagreb, Hrvatska Puno radno vrijemeWelcome to Transcom's Network engineer description page · Since you have made it this far, we are happy to share some information about our great company and our amazing Tech Hub · We are a global network of 28,000 local specialists, across 25 countries, passionate about providin ...
-
Global Database Administrator
Pronađeno u: beBee S2 HR - prije 1 dan
Transcom Croatia Zagreb, Hrvatska Puno radno vrijemeThe role of the Global Database Administrator is part of the team responsible for globally supporting the company's infrastructure. The main essence of the role is to support and maintain existing platforms through proactive and reactive maintenance, investigation into solution i ...
Komentari
schuppe mckenzie
prije 3 godine #51
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #50
Thank you for commenting, my friend. I think the post fulfilled the purpose. This comment section clearly shows different layers of the commenting onion. :) Engagement through commenting is the key element of social media, and beBee is indeed an engagement-based community - although recently shows a decreasing tendency.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #49
Roberto, my previous question was based on what you said. You mentioned that "if you feel limited, it would be better not to comment anything." That got me thinking because there were times I felt limited, in a way, to comment on someone's post - limited by my English, or by a lack of knowledge on a particular subject. I hope that I understood your words correctly. :)
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #48
Harvey, thanks for pointing out one more aspect of the engagement with someone's post. The strength of relationships between the group members affects engagement with each other posts. You may feel obligated to comment on a post of the friend of your support clique circle, at least as a sign of support ("great post" comments). You may also try to become a member of someone's sympathy group by commenting on all his posts and make him/her obligated to comment on yours and thus join your group, which by the way often doesn't work. Such attempts may result in excessive comments. Or you may stay true to yourself and express what you think honestly, although it may hurt feelings (and ego) of an author. But how many of us do that actually? I've learned that written communication, such as commenting is very tricky, especially when it comes to expressing polarised opinions. There were times my comments were understood differently than what I meant to say, and I had to explain that in personal messages. Interaction through commenting is indeed wrapped in many layers.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #47
Roberto, your comment got me thinking. What makes you feel limited to comment on someone's post?
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #46
Didn't know that saying. Thanks for enriching my vocabulary with one more quirky English phrase. When it comes to concise and on point comments, you know your onion, John.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #45
#67 David, I am glad to see your comment on my post. Your approach to commenting and your thoughts on the guest/host relationship is pretty similar to my way of thinking. The "guests" you mentioned whose only intention is to promote their own "gift" are the spammy self-promoters of the outermost layer. There's a big difference between shameless and tactful self-promoters who respect the "host" and add value to the discussion. Great comment and thought. :)
John Rylance
prije 4 godine #44
David Navarro López
prije 4 godine #43
David Navarro López
prije 4 godine #42
David Navarro López
prije 4 godine #41
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #40
Michael, you've touched the issue of digital media comment sections. I never participated but often read un-moderated comment sections of several Croatian online newspapers. You can read really toxic comments, and politics is the most hated issue. I'm always for freedom of speech but not for hate speech and trolling given by people hiding behind fake names to attack other people under the guise of “freedom of speech.” Comments that provide an opinion, set up the discussion and influence readers are in the minority relative to abusive (mildly said) comments. Despite all that, I think media platforms should be open for commenting to allow democratic exchange.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #39
Jerry, your comment makes me sing, as our friend Ali often says. :) Thank you for contributing to my blogs. Your feedback makes my blogging journey worth all the time and effort.
Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris
prije 4 godine #38
Here is an interesting tutorial of sorts for this feature of gab: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYsdpKfe0w4. I'm not entirely convinced whether posting comments on dissenter is meaningful, but it's good that there exists an alternative to silence for the various topics online, even if this alternative is heavily criticized lately. Anyway, just thought I'd put some feelers out there...
Harvey Lloyd
prije 4 godine #37
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #36
Zacharias, thanks for reminding me of Minds. After I joined Minds I haven't spent much time on it. I think that beBee is right SM for me despite the fact that the platform is going backwards in terms of engagement rates. Comment sections on every SM are full of comments of the two outer layers. I've read it on Minds too. I must admit that I haven't heard of the dissenter feature you mentioned. Can you provide more information? Thanks for your valuable contribution to this comment section.
Randall Burns
prije 4 godine #35
Well Thank You my friend Ali \ud83d\udc1d Anani, Brand Ambassador @beBee, will take a look
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #34
Debasish, thank you for not commenting for the sake of commenting. :) I appreciate it. Thank you for your kind words and sharing.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #33
Yes Conrad, this is a whole different kind of layered model. It's the onion model which has many applies. Onward to the next onion. 😂 Thanks for commenting.
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #32
I published the buzz that I dedicated to you dear Randall Burns https://www.bebee.com/producer/@ali-anani/underground-feelings
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #31
I am rejoicing because I am talking to you dear Praveen.
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #30
I will this time fulfill my promise Randall Burns and my next buzz shall relate to the chemistry of cooking and our hidden feelings that we need to release as tears sometimes. I shall try to publish today even though it is feast here (post to the fasting month of Ramadan).
Ken Boddie
prije 4 godine #29
Randall Burns
prije 4 godine #28
#42 You can Ali \ud83d\udc1d Anani, Brand Ambassador @beBee says, tears are good sometimes, they cleanse the soul...
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #27
Randall, tears are good when slicing commenting onion. It's a sign that the author of a comment stirred emotions in readers. :) You can always keep a piece of bread in your mouth while cutting an onion. I heard it works. :-)) Thank you for engaging with my post. I appreciate it.
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #26
Do you soak the onions in water first Randall Burns?
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #25
Praveen, you are the Master of Stirring the Conversation. :) Your witty, thoughtful and on the point comments extend the thread's lifetime. Thank you.
Randall Burns
prije 4 godine #24
You do know how to cut an onion without crying right Pascal Derrien? Don't form an emotional attachment
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #23
I am digesting the comments dear Lada. When my mind comes with a novel idea I shall do. The comments and the buzz are worthy of expanding on.
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #22
You are the master of appreciation, or better, the doctor of appreciation dear Praveen Raj Gullepalli
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #21
Long gone are the days when I was able to respond to comments promptly. :) With the best will in the world, I have to deal with my family matters that comes first. Early morning, before work is the best time for me to write and respond. Dear Ali, I like the idea of Zacharias that you would create a diagram to illustrate the commenting onion 'concept' with its many layers. Between "great-post comments" and core comments there are several layers of relevant comments, each more intense than the previous. As you said in your presentation, the author has to stir emotion to get comments. It reminds me of the Latin root for the word emotion, which means “to move.” Indeed, emotions move us to act. I comment on posts that stir my emotions.
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #20
Dear Praveen Raj Gullepalli to this suggestion, if it makes any sense.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #19
Gerald Hecht, there is nothing "wrong" with you, and there's no protocol for commenting on posts. :-) With all due respect to my beBee friends, I don't comment on their posts if I have nothing to say about certain topics. I always wonder how one can have an opinion on something if never experienced it. On the other hand, I may comment if I am able to relate to the underlying universals of that subject. For example, is a priest able to give advice about marriage?
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #18
Phil is one of those top commenters whose contribution always enriches discussions but, sadly, he is far less engaged on beBee lately. I think he holds the record for the longest comment thread. Several days ago, I searched for some older posts and noticed how longer comment sections were two years ago on beBee. Engagement rates were also much higher.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #17
Pascal, commenting is indeed a hard thing to master. Responding to comments, which will fuel even more comments is art in itself. Like you, I am still struggling with it. Yes, (commenting) onions sometimes make you cry :) Thank you for sharing.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #16
Franci, like you I also appreciate comments that give me a chance to respond and continue the conversation. I'm doing my best and respond as much and as often as I can. It is hard to find a reason to respond to "nice post" comments although I appreciate those comments too because of the commenter's good intentions. But I agree with Ken Boddie that after we hit the publish button, we are in a way duty-bound to commenters on our posts when they are sincere and show respect. Thank you for your kind words. :)
Bill Stankiewicz
prije 4 godine #15
Bill Stankiewicz
prije 4 godine #14
Randall Burns
prije 4 godine #13
Debasish Majumder
prije 4 godine #12
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #11
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #10
I appreciate your honesty in expressing your points with so explicitly Gerald Hecht upon commenting on her buzz that we need an imaginative author to express how a pregnant man would behave! Thank fotr the mention as well. I highlighted Cyndi's name to draw her attention to your comment as well.
Bill Stankiewicz
prije 4 godine #9
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #8
Luckily, I read your comment dear Zacharias \ud83d\udc1d Voulgaris because my name isn't highlighted. I thank you for your trust. I wish comments would allow the use of images so that I could share one here. I accept your challenging invitation though I shall wait for more comments before I do. That is with the permission of our good friend Lada \ud83c\udfe1 Prkic and if it is granted. You reminded me of my presentation titled "Comments with no moments" https://www.slideshare.net/hudali15/comments-with-no-moments In this presentation, I Introduced the CIPP Factor consisting of (Confidence, Integrity, Pride, Passion). An author or a commenter (who is an author once he/she contributes a comment) should write comments that satisfy this factor so that the comment may fall in the core of comments' onion that Lada introduced.
Pascal Derrien
prije 4 godine #7
Zacharias 🐝 Voulgaris
prije 4 godine #6
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #5
Thank you dear Lada. I mentioned four layers as outlined in your buzz. These are: 1-The outermost dry layer 2- Peeling the next layer away 3- As we approach the core 4- At the core of a metaphorical onion I am glad I helped in making your day joyful.
Lada 🏡 Prkic
prije 4 godine #4
Dear Ali, thank you for commenting and sharing. You make my day because it's the first comment I read this morning. :) I like the onion metaphor although it is not always understandable. It can be used to describe a journey towards important something, as I use it here, but is applicable to explain other concepts or relationships. Commenting onion has many layers, not just four. I specifically mentioned the first two, but there are more layers as we approach its core, and each layer is more intense and juicy than the previous one - metaphorically speaking. Thank you for being a discussion generator.
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #3
Thank you dar Franci\ud83d\udc1dEugenia Hoffman, beBee Brand Ambassador. Mostly, his comments are one line or less, but they stir the mind.
Jerry Fletcher
prije 4 godine #2
Ali Anani
prije 4 godine #1