What makes threads special/different that no one engages with?

[noname223]

I don't think they are necessarily bad. There were quite some threads from @DarkRange55 that no one interacted with.

I think it has more to do with the audience. And on a forum like this many don't have the mental resources to read a thesis on quantum physics. Despite the fact it can be really fascinating.

In some way I think threads are more often viewed depending on the member who posted it. I know I have a few people who follow my posts. I think this doesn't make uninteresting threads interesting though. What if no one engages with this thread?

How do we define not engaging with? Getting no reply or no reaction? Many threads don't receive a reply. Sometimes a wall of text can be overwhelming. I also think it is partly coincidence. Getting no interaction at all is difficult. I think every thread has at least some views. But how many views come from bots?

I think action, sex, cannibalism (lol) and tragic deaths attract attention. I think when threads mirror the inner state of many of us they receive a lot attention. When people can really relate to it. But it also depends on their length and how poignant they are.

I don't think that good threads necessarily receive more interactions. Polarizing content that triggers our most primitive instincts can attract attention. I am not sure whether they really need to be unique. Or whether uniqueness is rather a hurdle to attract attention. Because it tends to be niche stuff that is unique.

 

[Forever Sleep]

Like you say- I suspect it depends on the audience. Plus- what mood we are in that day too sometimes. Sometimes, I can't cope so well with a long venting thread than others for example. A fair few threads I will leave emoji's on, without commenting. Sometimes because someone has already responded in a way I would but- usually, better.

It feels sad when a thread gets no response at all. Especially if it is a personal, venting thread. Because, it can look like no one cares. I think people do care here though. It's just that everyone is going through their own shit and sometimes- that's too overwhelming to take on other people's problems too. Which is what we likely do do- to some extent at least- when we empathise.

Maybe we're all bound to relate more to certain types of people too. We likely all have our favourites here. With which we find it easier to 'talk' to.

That's also the other side of it. For those wanting to use the space as a forum- with back and fourth discussion- some members seem more keen on posting and not interacting. Which is fine- of course. But then- why spend time responding in detail if that's as far as it goes?

I agree though- I don't think a post that hasn't been responded to is necessarily bad or uninteresting. It may just be that it landed at a time not so many around were in a place to interact with it. That they were engaged elsewhere or, not in the right frame of mind for that type of thread. I suppose the hope- with it being such a big forum- is that at least someone will bite.

 

[Pluto]

 

[Matchaaa]

I think whether people reply often depends on their mood and energy levels that day. Sometimes, when they're too exhausted from dealing with daily tasks, they might not have the energy to write a reply—they might just hit react a lot—but I believe most people aren't actually indifferent.
As for me personally, since the quality and length of my replies are limited by my English skills, I have to rely on a translator, so I don't reply very often. Translating is a bit tiring, haha.

 

[thelostautistic]

I've noticed that it can depend on the time you post.

 

[EmptyBottle]

topic, clickability of titles, etc

Eg. The Industrial Slamming Machine thread became a bit popular coz ppl probably clicked it as the idea felt like a CTB method.

Adding intrigue to the title can help maybe, so ppl wonder what it is, click more often, and therefore read/react/comment more?

 

[noname223]

Like you say- I suspect it depends on the audience. Plus- what mood we are in that day too sometimes. Sometimes, I can't cope so well with a long venting thread than others for example. A fair few threads I will leave emoji's on, without commenting. Sometimes because someone has already responded in a way I would but- usually, better.

It feels sad when a thread gets no response at all. Especially if it is a personal, venting thread. Because, it can look like no one cares. I think people do care here though. It's just that everyone is going through their own shit and sometimes- that's too overwhelming to take on other people's problems too. Which is what we likely do do- to some extent at least- when we empathise.

Maybe we're all bound to relate more to certain types of people too. We likely all have our favourites here. With which we find it easier to 'talk' to.

That's also the other side of it. For those wanting to use the space as a forum- with back and fourth discussion- some members seem more keen on posting and not interacting. Which is fine- of course. But then- why spend time responding in detail if that's as far as it goes?

I agree though- I don't think a post that hasn't been responded to is necessarily bad or uninteresting. It may just be that it landed at a time not so many around were in a place to interact with it. That they were engaged elsewhere or, not in the right frame of mind for that type of thread. I suppose the hope- with it being such a big forum- is that at least someone will bite.

I think it really can be sad when there is no response.

I sometimes have the feeling people on here are in a state where I actually don't know what to respond. Sometimes people are in so dire situation that any response feels inappropriate. Sometimes people get hurt by standard phrases like it will get better eventually. I think you need to be very careful and nuanced with your words. Because spamming positive messages with no real thought behind it can be insensitive. I also don't want to post anything that could be interpreted as pro-death. When I read the description of the lives of some members I can very much understand though why they prefer death. Sometimes it is really stunning what people have to go through.

In the past I had OCD with posting and doing reactions on here. Before I went to bed I checked a couple of times whether I gave wrong reactions to anyone on here. (which is nuts I know) I even started my computer again for that in the past. Currently, I gladly don't have this OCD anymore. I think if I have less duties I also have less OCD.