The First Comment Phenomenon
There is one phenomenon out there in the web that I don't clearly understand. It happens mainly in blogs or content-sharing sites where people can comment. I've seen many sites plagued by this.
People race to be the first to comment on a post or video with the very thoughtful comment "First comment". That is all they write. Sometimes, they might even just leave it at "first".
I just have to wonder, what is the point? Comments are supposed to contribute to the discussion. These types of irrelevant comments don't really say anything. Except maybe the fact that the commenter is either in the third grade or has no other way of feeding his ego.
What then is so satisfying about being the first to comment, regardless of the quality of the comment?
Comments
.............I'll admit I felt very tempted to post a comment that said only 'First Comment', just to mess with you, but then I thought you might not appreciate it very much. I have never seen this phenomenon, though, maybe because I don't visit that many blogs or other sites where people can comment.
Posted by: Lidia Noemà | September 18, 2008 6:35 PM
I thought somebody was gonna comment "first comment". Just this one time, I didn't mind. :P
Posted by: Fernando | September 18, 2008 8:57 PM
hmm, that really happens? Didn't think people would be thoughtless enough not to do something that stupid in the first place, i think its because people want to be recognized for first comment, if it's on a area where it gets a lot of hits. I do see this on youtube now that i think about it
Posted by: RuneArcN8 | September 24, 2008 5:38 PM
It does happen much on overpopulated blogs. I've seen it and I think it's very silly. Just like people how comment negatively for the sake of creating a controversy. I hate seeing youtube videos and having the comments flooded with angry discussions. Especially from some hardcore religious people... :-(
Posted by: Raquel | September 25, 2008 8:39 AM