As evidenced by this post, we know what you read most. Still, while all commenters are readers, not all readers comment.
View image
Because we are a community dialogue forum, we like to see the discussion going - our way of getting everyone in one room, talking. Sometimes we're surprised by what you don't comment on, and other times, we're blown away by what strikes a nerve and makes you vocal.
In trying to get a finger on the pulse of commenter predilections, we wonder what you would like to talk about most.
Take a look at this week's poll, and then be sure to expand your thoughts here. Most importantly, have we missed a discussion you'd like to have?
In keeping the dialogue flowing, we aim to please.
It's hard to choose, but for me personal profiles are the least interesting because they rarely achieve any depth or simply pander to the subject of the article. It makes a Parade Magazine supplement look like hard-hitting journalism by comparison.
Political articles are sometimes worthwhile, but the comments are almost always reduced to a repetitive handicapped tennis match of Democrat vs. Republican, capitalism vs. socialism, and rich vs. poor with a sprinkling of racist, anti-semitic vitriolic fervor thrown in at about comment number 35. Keep the political articles but turn off the comments on them.
I'd say keep doing what you're doing but add more photos that relate directly to the stories (especially on the development articles).
Since you seem to be wondering why all readers do not comment, I will speak for myself while echoing some of PaulBuffalo's concerns; often, I find the quality of the so-called conversation in the Comments rather discouraging.
Of course, there are many thoughtful and worthwhile comments offered here, but there are also many superficial and mean-spirited postings that do little to advance any meaningful community dialogue. I know that I become part of the problem by standing on the sidelines, but it is hard to be enthusiastic about the reductive and repetitive "tennis match."
I know, too, that this is probably an irresolvable problem, so please do not take this as a criticism of BRO's generally fine contributions. And I should say that the Comments here are noticeably better than those at, say, the Buffalo News (which I usually find all but unreadable). But you asked, and I suspect that I am not the only one in this position.