People you need to READ the responses before replying!!!!!!

I read the responses that other people have left for a discussion. If there is nothing more for me to add, I usually will find a response that is close to what I would have said and comment on that response.

That is really sad. I have seen this too. I do read threw all of the discussion before I comment, and then I read the other people's. I never read the comment of others before I comment my own. Thaks for bringing this up again. I think that people needed to be reminded of this. And of not just answering yes or no. That gets old too.

I only answer into discussions that interest me so I read all the responses to see what other people have replied. If not, how can I contribute to the post? If I skip the responses and just answer straight away without having read any replies, how do I know if someone else hasn´t said more or less the same thing as me? If that´s the case there´s no point in responding. It won´t be a contribution, just a repetition. Good topic, beanifanatic.

Thank you very much for this discussion beanie as it helps me tremendously. HAHAHA1 Anyhow I feel most mylotters read nearly all responses or a lot of them on a discussion they visit. But...... When it deals with pay, lack of, or something about their eranings in any way here the read the original discussion section then skip right to respond as they're very concerned about their money coming in etc. Once again I really appreciate this topic greatly my friend. HAPPY POSTINGS FROM GRANDPA BOB !!

OH MY GOD!!!!! I have this very remark on my profile! I am disgusted with the fact, especially in debate, that people are not reading what has been written. By the replies, it is evident that they have not read what is acknowledged in a previous reply. It shows a clear lack of purpose in the given response. One cannot clearly know what they are replying to without reading what has already been noted by other thoughts. It angers me. Is not the purpose of a debate, to debate. However, you cannot debate something that is clearly overlooked when the responder has neglected to read the replies. Pure ignorance!

You make a good point and that is why I don't post many times because after reading the responses there is nothing left to say.

People shouldn't have to worry about reading what other people have said. They should only read the discussion and then answer to the discussion. Why should we read the responses? I think not. You are replying to the discussion, not the responses.

When I was new to mylot I had this habit of reaading discussions and the responses to the discussions.I used to just read it and go off.Then I realized I wasn't able to reply to the topics because after I read a few responses I get influenced by the responses and lose my originality and my actual thoughts.And then sometimes I used to find a response exceptionally good and feel my thoughts are not worth being published here.So now I just read the discussion and if I find it suiting me I respond immediately and then after responding I read the other responses.Yes sometimes I have gone wrong in understanding the discussions and I realize that after replying.I wish there was some delete option in mylot!

I admit I usually only read one page of responses before responding. I don't have a long time at the computer so go rather quickly through them. [Not an excuse but a reason.]

It's true that many members don't read the responses before posting theirs. My discussion a couple of weeks ago asked members about this and though I got very few responses, the general idea was that many don't read them. One of the main reasons for this is because if you read the discussions through the alert system you don't have an option to view the discussion and must search the user profile. Though some members do this, it is very time consuming, and not everyone has time to do it.

I'm trying to figure out something sensible to add here... I do tend to read discussions and replies, before responding. But there are exceptions (see below). However, I think there are "kinds" of discussions, stylistically speaking. For example, if someone asks "how do you change a tire?" and it has been well answered already, I won't add an answer. Why duplicate? However, if someone asks "what is your OPINION about XYZ event?" I will probably respond, even if I am saying something very similar to what has already been written... to me, asking for an "opinion," is more like conducting a "poll" in which ALL opinions (like ALL votes) count. I also think a lot of people (or so it seems) aren't even aware that you can comment on a response, rather than the original discussion-- and then make your point "in-line" where it makes more sense. Now, in the case of a correction having been made, I agree entirely that it's important to have read everything before responding. Otherwise, you're just posting a more or less "irrelevant" answer. To be frank, this is much easier when you pass the 500-post mark, and can copy and paste. These days, I often type out my responses in notepad, so I can add thoughts "on the fly," while reading a discussion and responses. That said, sometimes (and this is just personal "processing" preference) I find that there IS value to working on a response WITHOUT reading other responses... having to do with offering "original feedback" that hasn't been tainted by "popular opinion." I find this to hold especially true, for discussions that already have a LOT of responses. For example, I may have some ideas on an issue... yet, after reading the first 30 responses, it becomes clear that everyone else perceives said issue QUITE differently from me. At which point I might just decide not to post my "alternate" view, at all. It's a double-edged sword, really... there are some excellent writers and interesting debaters here on myLot, but who regularly get "taken to task" for being "original," rather than "nice" or "popular."

I usually read the entire beginning of the discussion and at least the first page, or 2, of the responses, to see how I want to respond, and where I want to respond. I have often found I want to respond to the original discussion topic as well as 1 or more of the responses. Besides, how would you know what the discussion is about if you don't read all, or at least most, of it? You may have a better idea of what is appropriate to post AFTER you read the discussion. It makes you look better and better able to give a more intelligent response. More intelligent responses = More money and fame! LOL

Hi, I just happen to see this discussion and it appears to be screaming at me! It caught my attention. Boy, I was never this attentive in class before. I read every single word of your discussion, and felt I need to give my 1 cent worth. Normally, I tend to skip such lengthy discussion topics, especially discussions with so many responses, as I know that there will be many similar responses, be it the responders read thru or it's originally and freshly brewed. I happen to be one who does not read responses. Before you start screaming at me again, hold it and listen to me. This time round, I heed your advise. I read thru the first page. I share the same sentiments with some responders and shall not mentioned what has already been mentioned. I admit I am guilty of responding thru email, and that's what I have been doing most of the time. I thought email notifications were intentional meant for that purpose. Isn't it so? Besides, I am confident that even by not reading others' responses, my response will be uniquely different from others. I do not just respond for the sake of responding. Lastly, thanks for bringing to my attention the benefits of reading all the responses before responding. I shall consider your request.

You don't really make that much off of this site so i dont see why people spam. I read before all of my responses and hope that everyone else will do so too.

LIke sone one in here already said email link takes us right to where we respond and I respond then I read what others say and then add something if need be. MOst of the time no one has thoughts as I do so it has worked out pretty well . As you come to know me you will find my thought are different than anyone else ha ha and it does fall to mylot not giving a like right to the first page

It´s not justa fact about reading comments and things that might have been added later, but also the fact that some people just read the 2 first lines that might even be written in sarcasm and then starting to discuss it, things that not even are what the discussion was about =)

I really think that as long as the email links point straight to the response section instead of the discussion itself, people will not read the other responses first. With most of my friends it's pretty easy to go through their profile to the discussion, but there are some that post several questions a day. It can take quite a while to sift through all their discussions and find the right one! I really wish myLot would just change the link in the emails to "view entire discussion." It would really help solve this problem!!!

You brought up a very good point beanie, in fact did you know that it is a myLot rule to read all responses before we respond to a discussion. Of course it is not possible to read ALL the responses, since some discussions have responses that run into pages, it make sense to read atleast the first few. A lot is said and done on the first page itself. There might be a juicy debate going on or a flame war..lol I read the first few responses to see if I missed something. Most of the time I go from my mail directly and read the responses later, but the discussions I have a doubt on or would like to see the attached picture, I go to the person's profile and then respond. That way my doubts are cleared as well as I can add comments on the picture and related to the picture too. In certain type of discussions it helps to read the first few responses so you can make your own response unique.

I try to read the responses, but sometimes I find the response time on myLot, slow to say the least. Sometimes, just scrolling down a page is painfully slow, I go to other sites and have no problems, I know it is a server problem with myLot. Ok, I find it frustrating and will not read the first page of responses due to performance. Many time I do not even respond when I see 7 or 8 pages of responses, since so many people don't even appear to read past the first 2 pages. I think myLot needs better navigation tools. You said that you go through the profile page to get to your response, I must look for that, I have not been able to figure it out. Other people seem to have comments on how myLot should improve and I will not repeat them, but they are right, MyLot is difficult to navigate.

Hi! I usually read at least the first page of responses and I make sure I read the whole "subject" for discussion before making any response. I read some responses because I don't want to sound like an echo of many respondents. At least If I read thier responses I know what has been left to say or If I don't have anything to say anymore, i just left and find another discussion..Or if it can't be avoided, I just try to write what I feel though some has written the same, it is how I feel anyway..Sometimes If I have time, I read all the reponses like from page 1 to 3 or 4,specially if the subject is interesting to me..by the way, thank you for congratulating me for that 9 red star! I love it! you keep on posting good topics too!