"Why Haven't You Replied, Damn You!?"

It is sometimes difficult, even impossible to have a discussion (and not at all clear that the OP expected one). My intention was to be rather more self-critical than otherwise, of course (and to encourage others to be the same).

@owlwings A little self-criticism is never a bad thing. We should do more of it.

@owlwings ... In some subjects, it is that you are at a higher plane. If the person is at ABC, you are at XYZ. So from your level, even if you come down to their levels, you reach PQR, and they are nowhere near. It can be relating to subject or English. Personally, I go a step further to understand your replies.

Ah, well, I knew that someone would nibble the bait about the 'earnings' mention! I completely agree with you, actually, that MyLot isn't (or shouldn't be) anything at all to do with earnings. It's all about teaching the art of conversation (and, sometimes, sensible discussion), really. In fact, to me the 'earnings' are no more than a sort of score in the game or exercise of sensible discussion. I have to admit that it's nice that they do, eventually, translate into things that I can buy (including this laptop on which I'm typing now) but that certainly isn't why I have been here for 10 years (and counting), though it MAY be why I choose to spend my time here rather than on Yahoo Answers or Quora! Yes, very often I answer the question completely (or at least as completely as I know how) and there is (or should be) very little more to say. That is the way with many questions, of course, and it is something we should sometimes expect of a site like this. It's worth rather more than that, however, don't you think? (Political and religious arguments aside, which I agree can go on in circles for ever and a day). The question is, how do we train ourselves to encourage discussion ... and to promote it to the members who haven't yet seen beyond that '$' sign up on the right?

@owlwings There is always going to be a segment here who are strictly earnings mercenaries and they will go away upon realizing vast sums aren't to be made here. They come and go. Those that stick around appreciate monetary reward (who doesn't want a few extra bucks) but are here mainly for entertainment, relieve boredom, to express themselves, engage, meet people from faraway places, even vent. I still believe posting is more important than response because posts are the engine driving the site and emphasis should be not be on trying to prod members into always answering comments/responses and continuing dialog but doing posts because the site thrives on good post quantity and variety.

@owlwings Excellent. I have always liked North Wales. Of course you have to avoid the sqandrons of seagull bombers.

@owlwings I found some of the locals in the Lleyn Peninsula to be very anti English I remember walking into a bakery shop to buy a pie and there was one more customer there. She had already been served and was talking to the shopkeeper in English. As soon as I entered they switched to Welsh. It would have been easier to just serve me and I would have left.

The topic is important, of course! How was Llandudno?

But, when you do come back to reply or comment on the responses you get, you usually have something worthwhile to say. Mind you, not all responses have anything about them which contribute much to 'forwarding' the conversation, do they! I find that the best discussions/conversations I've had are often ones which actually have nothing to do with the discussion topic! Is that just me or do others find that? (It happens in real life conversations, too, so it isn't just an online phenomena!)

@owlwings Oh I have found that as well. I have had to learn that a couple of people do Not appreciate an off topic discussion on "their" post in order not to annoy them. As you say, real life discussions meaner all over and that's when it gets fun here.

@paigea I don't mind conversations going off track. It is interaction.

Welcome to MyLot! It's all about having discussions, meeting people, learning about other countries and cultures &c and, well, having fun. You will find that the fact that you might earn a little in the process is just a 'bonus', really. The money is nice, of course, but the best part is talking to people from all over the world ... here am I, from one of the flattest and most low-lying part of the world talking to you who lives just beneath the roof of the world!

@Suza11 You seem to have very good English. That is always a help, of course, on sites like this. Kathmandu and Nepal are better known than, perhaps, they should be because of the dreadful earthquakes you have had there which have shown us pictures of disaster and mayhem there. We are truly sorry that you have had such turmoil.

@owlwings Thank you so much! And Yeah It's Fun communicating. I just joined and I'm loving it :) And Well I'm also not so much different. Just I live in a very small and unknown part of this world but Beautiful :) And Anyway Nice to meet you!

I often find that I run out of things to say after a while unless a response or comment goes off on a different tack, as sometimes happens. Then the discvussion can sometimes take on a life of its own!

It does seem to matter a little who is around and active at the time. I also find that, as far as replying to responses goes, after a certain number I have mostly said all that there is to be said on the subject so unless someone comes in with a new topic (related or not), it becomes difficult to maintain the discussion beyond a certain point.

Nor do I hold a grudge, actually. Everyone has their own reasons for responding or not, as the case may be. It's worth thinking about exactly how conversations work, though, don't you think?