Lurkers, they're everywhere!

The blog scene is very fickle. The postings that I think will generate a lot of discussion, dialogue, or at least a few comments receives absolutely no attention. The postings that are generic, mundane, and probably boring are responded to by both of my readers. I say both of my readers because the blog scene also has a downside: lurkers. A lurker is the viewer of a blog that for some reason or another refuses to participate in the growth of that blog. The lurker never (or rarely) comments, rarely gives feedback, and rarely (if ever) spreads the word about that blog. I know for a fact that I have a lot of lurkers. I average about 200 visitors a month, but I only get two or three people to comment or give feedback.
Don't get me wrong, I don't blog for attention or for others to commend me. I blog so that others can gain some understanding of my thoughts about life, faith, and politics.
I understand the reluctance of a lurker. Once you post something on the internet, it's out there for everyone else to read. But understand that with the internet comes anonymity. You don't have to use your name in order to comment on a posting. Maybe you lurkers just think of the blogs as another form of entertainment or news. But unlike watching TV or listening to the radio, the blog is interactive, alive, organic. It can grow and change based on feedback.
Not all lurkers are parasites, but that's what many of us bloggers see them as. They suck the information out of a blog, but don't directly contribute to the blog's well being. If you find any posting, on my blog or someone else's, please comment on it. Give the blogger some feedback. It is always welcomed and is encouraged.

And that's my two cents.

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