I’ve been sharing my thoughts with the online community since the days of dial-up, and you’d think I’d be accustomed to the quirks of this gig by now. However, one behavior continues to leave me scratching my head: commenting on articles without actually reading them first.
Seriously, folks. Isn’t it common sense? I understand that the urge to react to a catchy headline can be overwhelming, but I implore you to resist that impulse.
Not long ago, I penned an article titled “What’s Difficult About Covering Up to Breastfeed?” A wave of furious comments erupted from breastfeeding advocates on social media, only to be met with embarrassment when others pointed out that my piece was actually a strong defense of breastfeeding in public.
While I typically shy away from public shaming, I can’t help but feel that if you insist on voicing an opinion on an article without reading it, you’re inviting that embarrassment upon yourself. As writers, we invest significant time and thought into crafting our pieces. We spend hours researching, carefully choosing our words, and considering our audience. The least anyone can do is read our work before sharing their thoughts.
If you still disagree after reading? That’s totally fine! Most writers welcome thoughtful discussions and diverse opinions. I personally value intelligent debate and appreciate when readers express their thoughts—provided they do so respectfully. Many of us do peek at the comments, and we’re aware someone will inevitably disagree with us.
But, if you comment without reading, you’re making an uninformed statement. Just recently, a reader replied to something I wrote with, “I haven’t read the article, but…” and then proceeded to share three paragraphs of disagreement. Much of her argument had already been addressed in the article, which she would have known had she taken the time to read it.
I admit, I couldn’t help myself and responded with, “I haven’t read your comment, but here’s why it’s incorrect…” (I usually try to keep my responses civil, but sometimes it’s hard not to be a little snarky.)
If commenting without reading is bad, sharing without understanding is even worse. In fact, not long ago, the White House shared an article about the president’s budget proposal in its newsletter, “1600 Daily,” without even reading it. Yes, really. The article, written by Jamie Thompson, had a title that appeared to support the budget but was, in fact, a sharp satirical critique.
For example, one line read: “In the future, all labor will cease—because who needs it?” It’s hard to believe anyone could have walked away thinking it was a pro-Trump piece. Someone clearly skimmed the title, made an assumption, and included it without fully comprehending the content.
So, for the love of all that is good, please refrain from commenting, sharing, or forming opinions about online articles unless you’ve taken the time to read the entire piece—and the supporting links too! This will ensure you’re well-informed before trying to refute any claims or question the author’s sources.
And while we’re at it, let’s all agree to stop using phrases like “Do your own research” without providing any evidence. Also, we should strive to improve our grammar—let’s master the difference between there/their/they’re and you’re/your.
If you’ve made it this far, I appreciate you reading the entire post before commenting. You are my people. High five!
In conclusion, always read the content fully, understand it, and engage thoughtfully. This approach will lead to more enriching discussions and a better online community.
Keyphrase: Commenting on Articles
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