I'm a part of the group of people that some dub "the CRA." CRA is an acronym that stands for "Comment Reading Association." Despite the controversy that happens in comments across the internet. I cannot suppress the urge to want to read the comments underneath a Youtube video or beneath a Facebook post. Some comments are what makes the post even more funny or more serious. There are quite a few gems to find if you scroll through the comments.
My primary reason for wading through numerous comments began when I wanted to understand what other people thought about the topic being discussed. Did they share the same opinion as me? Was there a side of the story that I was not aware of? I would get sucked into lengthy paragraphs and thumb pressing the read more button.
Eventually, my comment reading turned into a hunt for a golden comment that would cause me to double over, literally roll on the floor, and laugh until my sides hurt. These comments pop up unexpectedly. I would be getting bored of reading "Love from Brazil!!!" and "India loves you!" when I would stumble upon someone divulging the worst day of their life that sounds like it can be made into one of the Hangover movies. Sometimes there are replies, but often that comment sits there unliked, and perhaps, unheard. I can't help but wonder, what was the person thinking when they wrote this? Did they want comfort from random strangers on the internet? Did they have no one else to talk to this about except post it beneath a Youtube video? I would never ask them, but some questions you don't really care to have answered.
On the other hand, I'll wrack my mind trying to understand what made someone post their hilarious story in the comments of a meme. It must be the genuine wish to want to share a story. I definitely love a good story and I love to tell them. Nonetheless, I don't comment paragraphs because I want to tell everyone on the internet about the time I almost got left at a gas station while on a road trip. I am thankful some people do take the time out of their day to write an essay because a video or article evoked a response.
Commenting allows us to feel like we are a part of something bigger. The content creator knows they have been heard and being responded to and not just writing into the void. As a writer, seeing comments boosts my morale and gives me the motivation to write more. Comments allow for new ideas to grow and share. Often times a war may break out in the comments, but if no one had opinions, what would be the point in sharing what we thought?
Our love for comments is like the love of freedom of speech. We may debate about the two, but we wouldn't be able to debate without them.
