Are These Just 200-Point Fakes?

Simon - I am with you on that. Even if it means that I have a suspicious mind

James - Not really. I am nearly a year on AR. With suspicious mind I could have written it long ago. I was and still am giving a goud dose of benefit of a doubt (sometimes to undoubtful things?)

Nicholas - You might be right. There are always people out there, who would consider every system (AR in this case) as an opportunity to do their own thing, even if the goal of the system is different. They are users, and they look at the system only from the point of view what they can get out of it.

The conflict could arise from the fact that there are many-many people on AR, who contribute voluntarily to the Forum. And those who are not into contributing.

Basically, AR is a platform. And there are three groups of players.

One, that would like to exchange (ideas, learning experiences, friendships, you name it),

One, that would like to catch (leads, customers, get notoriety, etc.)

And the third, with very successful people, that do both, and are able to maintain a healthy balance, of course.

Thanks for the comment

William - I think even technically it is difficult to control social networks, and really hold them tight. It is still evolving, and nobody know the direction, so it is quite natural there is a lot of leeway. Also, because it is driven by the consumers, it somehow has the ability to adjust.

However, no matter how clear the objectives are, there always be opportunists, who would try to get what they want.

Every day I am getting so much spam, and many messages are identical. Sometimes I think that all that energy spent on something real in life could get you much further. Some people just need to hear pennies "talking" in their pocket from everything they touch. Immediate gratification in business may not be the long-term strategy, but many of us are "day-traders". They come to AR, try to beat the system, do not get much, move to another network, or site, or whatever.

Hugh -Oh, commenters that do not read the blog, is a very annoying group. I guess you can call them "drive-by commenter". They try to catch a phrase or two from the blog, do not read the comments, and leave you a comment, that has little or nothing to do with the post. Sometimes it is just hilarious.

But then look at the blogs, and you see that the whole point was to leave 10 comments the fastest.

If AR had a way to figure the "king of comments", like someone who posted 10 comments in the shortest period of time, that would be interesting. Especially if coupled with the ability to block their comments on our sites at our discretion.

(Just a stupid vengeful idea)

Jim - Maybe they know what we do not know? It still surprises me why someone would make it a one way comminication tool.

Tchaka - Of course. I am not impatient, but when after a week there is still nothing, it's a different story. And then, as I mentioned in the comments already, I just know some bloggers that are very active, and I already know that there is no point in commenting. They do not care. They simply fake the communication to get the points.

And again, they can simply disable comments, and that would be fine, but they instead fake interest in the opinion of the community.

Amanda - We are too big a community to even notice a lot of good post on AR. I have not read Paul's post, and I am pretty sure it was before I even joined. A good name "Post and Ghost". I have seen what you describe when you incite the discussion and then just watch it from aside. Karen Ann Stone does it beautifully.

I had in mind something different. And, as you, I like being engaged in the discussion, if it happens.

Alex - It was my concern when I started on AR, but looks like this was considered appropriate. Also, as I am sure you know, you are not getting points when commenting on your own blogs, which sort of brought peace.

I would still think that it sepends on the situation. I do not see anything respectable in asking a question, asking for help, and then simply disappear. I that makes me feel used, it is is not about the respect IMO.

I looked at what you do, it is impressive. Other then superficially, I do not know much about the whole green - Eco thing, but looks loke this is the way of the future.

Good luck to you

Kevin - more than often the comments die in an unattended post. If you look at Post and Ghost blogs, usually there are just very few comments.

Mike - I feel the same way, Thanks for the comment

Irina -  my pleasure. Hopw you would find your way in life. In ten years you might be surprised that yo wol dbe remembering this time with noistalgia.

Ronagh - Though I understand that new members can get confused, I see again and again the intentional postings, whihc mimic genuine interest in the conversation, when in reality the posts are written for points, Google juice and other considerations