I just wanted to check, do you read the whole thread? The topic and all the responses to make sure of what you need to give a helpful, empathetic, thought out answer.
I don't think there is one simple answer.
I often read the whole thread that I'm 'interested' in but not always. If my response/post is mainly directed towards an individual within a thread, then it seems reasonable for me to read all the posts of that individual within that thread. I don't necessarily feel I need to read every post of others in those circumstances. But it may depend on how many posts there are in a thread. Some threads take several days to achieve just ten posts; some achieve ten posts within 20 minutes, and they continue at that rate. It can be challenging to keep up sometimes. At times when seeing threads develop quickly they can then start to become very disjointed and do so quickly too.
In regard to your second sentence above, at times I feel don't need to read every post to form an opinion, in that I may have a long established opinion of my own, and may therefore not be influenced by the opinions of others. If someone has some facts to post then thats different. I don't need to be aware of people's opinions to form my own, or to be empathetic. Clearly, though, it can be very much case by case; it depends on the thread. Therefore some degree of care should be taken when deciding how much to read before posting within a long thread.
It worries me when seeing someone's opinions forever changing as they read through the opinions of others. In a way that tells me that the person doesn't truly have an opinion of their own. They might be just following the crowd
I am sure I have gone off topic on more than one occasion. I try my best to keep up with all of you, to understand what each of you are discussing but it is hard to keep up sometimes. Is it okay if we see something, someone may be sick and we may have missed it. Is it okay to ask for clarification?
I look at it like this. It makes sense to read every post of the
OP, especially when that person is looking for advice, as they may later be posting additional clarity without being prompted to do so.
Its always ok to ask for clarification. I have noticed though some taking offense when asking for clarification. Some see those clarification questions as an attack. It can be quite disheartening.
Some here have others on '
ignore'. Some by their own admission have a lot of people on
ignore. They then run the risk of not being able to fully follow the thread and may repeat what the 'ignored' person or persons have already said. Or even completely say the wrong thing. If we are to accommodate some that '
ignore' others, then we should accommodate those who don't have the opportunity to read every post before they themselves post.
I have found it very helpful to read all of your replies and be able to give input. I just wonder if anyone does this before posting? How do you all keep up with everyone?
Sometimes I'm unable to keep up with everyone depending on my own circumstances. I might then decide not to post at all. As mentioned, it's very much case by case. I don't have to post everywhere. Some threads are just interesting to read.
You are quite an interesting poster actually.
