TED Conversations

Veronika Losová

Innovation Student, AIESEC

TEDCRED 20+
TED Translator

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Are you reading all the comments in the discussions where you want to contribute?

I just have the feeling that today, everyone wants to talk (there is so many opportunities on web - twitter, facebook, g+, blogs, comments) but noone is listening back others, what they have to say.. I guess there should be some reciprocity, if you want to talk, you should also listen (or if you want to write sth online, you should firstly try to read what others are saying first).
There is so much content being created on the web, but is there audience? Wouldn't it be better, if people just stopped writting as crazy and instead started to read what others are saying?

Related Talks:
Topics: communication social media society
+1
Share:
progress indicator
  • thumb

    Veronika Losová 20+

    • 0
    TED Translator
    Aug 1 2011: I just figured, there is new type of communication online... traditionally, we have one2one, one2many, but now all this blogging, updating, tweeting, +1... can as well be one2none...

  • Niu zhen

    • 0
    Aug 1 2011: i will not read all the comments due to my few time.but i want to communicate with each others
  • thumb

    Bob Van Oosterhout 20+

    • +1
    Jul 31 2011: I tend to start reading the comments but then I think of a reply to a specific comment and stop reading. If there are only a few comments on a question, it is easy to read them all but when a conversation goes on for weeks, I am unlikely to read the whole thing and appreciate that some ideas have been repeated. I do feel a bit uncomfortable about not reading all the comments in an ongoing conversation but that is unrealistic when there are time constraints. Some moderators summarize the conversation at different points that that is much appreciated.
  • thumb

    Salim Solaiman 50+

    • +1
    Jul 31 2011: Thats a good question.
    Yea I feel many contributions are repititions without even refering the post that gives that indication (I am aware & try to refrain from that , but at times I might also fall in that trap due to different reasons)

    There is saying in my language (definitely other culture might be saying so as well) "We have two ears & one mouth, so follow that ratio" but we tend to apply opposite .
  • thumb

    Jesse Weinstock

    • +1
    Jul 31 2011: Reading all the compliments may not always be easy. When you find a interesting topic on the web mire likely that not there is going to be an incomprehensible number of responses. Trying to read every comment would be like trying to partake in every conversation in a metropolitan train station. When these on conversations grow they tend to branch off and may ultimately create online soundscapes and drones.

    I think communicating online is evolving to be very similar or even identical to communicating in person. Different forums require different listening.
    • thumb

      Veronika Losová 20+

      • +1
      TED Translator
      Jul 31 2011: You are completely right, it is often impossible to read ALL the comments. However, my approach would be to read at least few last posts to see where the conversation is going. Like at the party - you see interesting group of people, you come closer, listen to few sentences to see whatis going on and then you start to contribute. I would appreciate if more people were doing it like this.

      And you are right, different platforms, different approach, so probably it is just easier to find platform that suits my approach. Thanks for that reply.

    • Erik Simmesgård 10+

      • 0
      TED TranslatorAssociate
      Aug 2 2011: When communicating in person, or in a group - it's very hard, or perhaps impossible to ignore someone who does not contribute to the topic - or are even saying something that would be interesting (in another topic or context).

      In writing, even though the shear volume is a lot greater - it is very easy, or at least possible to skip and ignore content. Especially since this is something that is taught in school. We have focused on reading skills for a long time.

      A lot of lower educational classes just give you questions on a vast amount of material, which you are supposed to skim through and memorize as much as possible of - so that you will score high on your test which is due in a few days.
  • thumb

    Bakul Valambhiya (Mistry)

    • 0
    Jul 30 2011: No, Actually i just look in to the question that what has been asked and I find answer to it. That simple! No matter my answer is good or bad I enjoy Question answer sessions, particularly answering questions!
    • thumb

      Veronika Losová 20+

      • 0
      TED Translator
      Jul 31 2011: Aren't you afraid that you will be repeagting something what someone else just said which will somehow make the discussion circle and not to move further?
  • thumb

    Krisztián Pintér 200+

    • +1
    TED Translator
    Jul 30 2011: yeah. i have that feeling too from time to time. some more healthy ratio would be nice to have.
Showing all 13 comments