Just lurking
Your ‘catch-up time’ continues today. Hope you’ve been enjoying yourself.
Chris Pollington yesterday made the remark that apparently 90% of ‘online communities’ are made up of ‘lurkers’ (I don’t do a lot of talking about internetty stuff, so forgive all these inverted commas) which means people who don’t ‘leave’ ‘Comments’ but just ‘read the thing and slouch quietly onto another website’.
This has been mentioned before and it’s a source of ongoing intrigue to me. I can see why a lot of the time, you’d just feel like you had nothing to add, especially on the many occasions when my blog isn’t worth reading really, let alone saying anything about. But fairly often I actually appeal for answers or points of view. Even on those occasions the Comment rate is a lot less than the 10 percent estimated by Chris. According to the various programs that track my ‘hits’, we had 550 readers even for yesterday’s non-blog for example. Normally it’s around 800 or 900. So something like 29 out of 30 people tend not to show their faces, on the whole.
I don’t mind this at all, but I can’t help wondering about the silent majority. Sometimes they pop up suddenly and say things like ‘this is my first Comment but I’ve been reading for six months’, and it’s kind of exciting. But there are still plenty who are even quieter than THAT.
So without putting the slightest pressure on, I’m going to put it out there that I’d be delighted to hear from any ‘lurkers’, if that’s not derogatory/slightly creepy a term. I’m constantly trying to build up a better picture of exactly who’s reading, so I can make the blog halfway-interesting. Anyway, if you feel like ending your silence, this would be a good day to do it. It’s Sunday, not as many people will see it as on a weekday. And I’m not even looking. Look, I’ll look the other way. And put my fingers in my ears and sing. La la la. (Glances back.) La la la.
Posted by Juliet on November 27, 2010
I haven’t commented a lot really but I don’t consider myself quiet haha. Still struggling to catch up but I’m getting there… and for the record, Mark, your blog is always worth reading and very interesting, otherwise I wouldn’t even feel the need to catch up!! xx
Posted by Laura on November 23, 2010
Ever since the Manchester show I saw you at, I’ve been reading your blog, sometimes, like today doing a lot of catching up. I have commented twice, but you were so happy with my first comment I’m not sure I can match up! Either way..know that I’m here. Just lurking
Posted by Briony on November 23, 2010
I’ve commented before but generally just loiter around in cyberspace, not commenting, having tiime out from my own life to read about someone else’s – which does make a refreshing change – and soaking up the wisdom of the Watsonian massive….Hmmm, I wonder how many of us there are?
Posted by david on November 23, 2010
I am a lurker who has read from the beginning. Unfortunately I am a bad boy and so need to keep up appearances. Part of this is being a mysterious loner. I have serious depth over here in the shadows if you were wondering. Shit you wouldn’t believe. Anyways I gotta split, got more lurking to do.
Posted by AmyH on November 23, 2010
I’m a (late) lurker. On the occasions when I feel like I am going to comment, my opinion is normally pretty well covered by previous comments. As with this time!
Posted by Elise on November 23, 2010
A little late to the lurking conversation, but it occurred to me that the statistics on readers/commenters may be a bit skewed. I’ve been known to check the blog while bored at the office, but if that day’s post isn’t up yet, I’ll check it again at home. Unless your tracking software is stalking me, that would register as two people. If your tracking software IS stalking me, please tell it that I’m flattered but I think we should just be friends.
I also struggle with whether to refer to Mark in the second or third person when I comment, and either way I feel very self-conscious about my decision.
Posted by Tibbs on November 23, 2010
I used to comment a lot less; mostly because I could never figure out the time difference and so I always felt like I was coming to the blog “too late”, which was enough to reinforce my introverted tendencies. Since meeting you in Edinburgh, though, I have been commenting with more regularity, to the point where it now feels a bit weird if I don’t comment!
Posted by Megan on November 22, 2010
Sorry, I have been feeling deeply tired and unclever of late, so I haven’t been commenting much.
Posted by EmmaT on November 22, 2010
Sometimes I lurk, sometimes I comment. I usually read the blog at work when I probably shouldn’t. Like others have said, I feel that quite a few times I have little to say on a matter. Usually I act like I do when I am at some social gathering and just listen to others as I can be a bit socially awkward at times (as you may have noticed when I mumbled something about ‘I’m the one going to Nepal’ when I met you in Brighton).
Posted by Hannahq on November 22, 2010
I actually very nearly just did what I normally do, which is to think about what I would say in a comment, and plan it out in my head, and then never get round to writing it down, because it isn’t actually that interesting.
I’m not actually a lurker though, because I occasionally do comment. But maybe I’ll comment more. Maybe everyone will, and there’ll be too many comments and you’ll rue the day you posted this blog. Or not. Who knows. (Also I don’t comment because I ramble)
Posted by Hal on November 22, 2010
I’m a semi-lurker – have commented a couple of times since the start though…
And even more exciting you’ll be in Cheltenham tomorrow – I’ll be the one not speaking to you, not bringing a pen even though I’ve considered it – and not bringing an unusual item to sign…even though I know what it would be if I did!
Don’t worry about us, we’re happy lurking away!
Posted by Lau on November 22, 2010
I’m a lurker. I lurk. I observe but have v little to add. I think that this is my third ever comment which I am very proud of. None of my comments have added anything & I quite like reading, thinking, then sleeping. I am sorry. From now on I will try harder. Keep it up!
Posted by Kay (of Project preston fame!) on November 22, 2010
I would probably say that I am a lurker, i try to read the blog everyday because I find it interesting and funny, but then I don’t have anything of worth to say back so don’t like to comment for fear of waffling!
Posted by Lindsay on November 22, 2010
I lurk, and have read every blog entry from the start.
However, I have a 5 month old so my commenting opportunities are limited.
Reading the blog is my naptime treat and I aim to stick with it til the end of the challenge – by which time I will have a 9 year old daughter, blimey!
Posted by Suzanne on November 22, 2010
Perhaps posting a comment is like waiting in the wings, fretting about remembering (or forgetting!!) your lines, dreading stepping into the spotlight and everyone laughing … not because it’s a comedy but because you’ve made a fool of yourself!!!
Hmmm??? Wonder if that’s how Mark feels every time he’s about to go on stage??? Of course he’d fret more if no one laughed but that simply wouldn’t EVER happen …
So … come on, you lurking guys … grasp your courage in both hands … take a deep breath, follow our leader and … just do it …!!!
This has to be the friendliest, warmest, most supportive group online … and I’m really happy and comfortable here … I ain’t goin’ nowhere any time soon!!!
Happy days to everyone … whether you’re still lurking or have stepped out on centre stage …
Posted by Beck on November 22, 2010
I only started reading your blog on Saturday (after seeing you for the first time on Friday night) so I don’t think I qualify as a ‘lurker’ yet! Great show on Friday.
Posted by Duncan on November 22, 2010
Breaking my blogging ‘duck’. Was at Cov.. sorry… Warwick Arts Centre the other night… Came up from Wiltshire for the privilege. I was the knucklehead so convinced Mark was in Bulmers’ advertisements that I felt compelled to shout out ‘Bulmers’ (other ciders are, of course, available). Cider-based Tourette’s maybe? Need to give my affliction a name… Driving along the M4 today saw a lorry with ‘wallop’ etched into the dirt! Batman flashback. When I get the chance will etch ‘kapow’ or even ‘zap’ on a transit! Will now blog-off.
Posted by Danny B on November 22, 2010
I am an out and proud complete lurker, after reading every working day for months (as part of my get into work and not quite ready to work routine) this is my only post
love the blog though and shall carry on reading quietly in the background.
Posted by Becca on November 22, 2010
I guess I’m a lurker- I probably comment once every couple of months but I do check the blog whenever I come online
I don’t comment very often because… well I guess sometimes there isn’t time, sometimes I don’t have much to say and sometimes I’m just plain lazy and would rather let others do the writing 
Posted by John "Non-Watson, Normally Non-Commenter" Poxon on November 22, 2010
Hi Mark,
I tend to be one of these people who fall into the “non-commenters” category. However, I do have waves (not sea based waves) of commenting for a solid month, and then find myself stopping again! I don’t know why, but that’s just my selected mode of practice.
I like to look at new (and hopefully funny things). In fact today, rather than doing my daily/religious click of your ‘Extravagant Nonsense’ link on your homepage, I opted instead to come to your main website. May I add at this point that your ‘Extravagant Nonsense’ stories/pages are the highlight of any less than average day in the office!
I think I’ve gone a little bit off to a tangent, and even had to re-read the last paragraph to see what I was even talking about! However, based on the article and my typically “non-comment” like approach, I thought it was worth writing something (at least).
Best regards,
John
P.S. I attended and thoroughly enjoyed your live show at Warwick University last Friday! Nothing like a good game of which city were you born in for non-UK countries (even those which end in defeat – damn Tokyo!!).
Posted by Sam on November 22, 2010
I’ve left a couple of comments so I’m not sure I qualify as a lurker, but I do feel like the amount i say doesn’t reflect the amount I read, so I thought I’d say hello.
That’s all.
Posted by Corry on November 22, 2010
Hello. I guess I am a semi lurker due to my binge based relationship to the blog. I normally consume about 10 blogs at a time then like an unenthusiastic verbal bulimic I’ll occasionally spew out a little comment on one of the blogs from the binge. Proud to say I have read every blog but just too busy to check in every day so I always feel that comments may be out of date by the time I post them.
I do love reading everyone else’s comments though, even if they are just of the ‘I agree’ category because it really does make it feel more like a community. Plus it is interesting and rewarding getting to know the characters on here and keeping up to date with people that I’ve met at the shows.
Posted by Sarah on November 22, 2010
I don’t comment much because I rarely have anything to add to the blog and comments ;D I am normally late reading the blog, and my thoughts have been said and it is pointless to waste peoples time saying them again.
Posted by Rachael on November 22, 2010
A tiny part of me wishes I was a lurker, they sound so mysterious.
Posted by gib on November 22, 2010
I read the blog every day but have only ever commented once, it was for a late review and my comment got mentioned in the post. To be honest, I felt like I’d peaked. It’s only thanks to this post that I’ve felt willing to risk my 100% record.
Posted by Tracey on November 22, 2010
Hi Mark. I read your blog every day, since I discovered your website although on occasion ,as has already been suggested, I can’t think of an intelligent response and think that “neither he nor anyone else is going to be interested in my rambling on about nothing.”That said though I do try to comment every day and whether I comment or not, I always read your blog because, as I’ve said it cheers me up – a lot.Take care and have a great day, Tracey x
Posted by max on November 22, 2010
Here I am!
I post like once every two weeks or so. But I read your entries every single day.
One of my life mottos is “If you don’t have anything intelligent to say, then don’t say anything”… And usually whatever I think I can add to the discussion was already said by some of the hardcore posters, who ALWAYS beat me
Posted by Emsy on November 22, 2010
I haven’t commented up until this point and, whilst I am not entirely flattered by the term “lurker”, I must admit to being a silent loiterer in Watson-world.
My defence is only that I rarely have enough time to properly comment and so choose not to bother rather than post something substandard.
That said, loving your work and will continue to do so albeit in contented silence…
Posted by ali on November 22, 2010
lurk lurk de-lurk.
I have been reading every day since the start. I’ve never commented even when I’ve wanted to, which is lurking at its finest. I don’t know why. Generally taciturn, I guess. Also, since I live in Nowhere Australia and have not yet seen you perform or had any interaction except to sometimes fire a block of 140 characters into the cyber-ether, it occasionally feels like I am not a proper part of all this.
So, here is my first comment. Declaring myself. Scary. Apples. Hippo. Hi. Hi Mark. Thank you for writing the blog, it helps to keep me cheered up. Sometimes you have made me sad, like crying at the end of Bullet Points, or deciding to do your last 24 hour show the year that my grand plan to attend the Edinburgh Fringe collapsed, effectively doubling the devastation of not being able to go. But all that is technically a compliment to your work
And even on the day when my RSS reader flashes ‘watson’ and the only word is ‘frisbee!’ it will still make me smile.
x
(this has taken me actual hours to write and decide to post and maybe actual hours to submit and now I may never check the blog again. ok, deep breath in…)
Posted by Joelle on November 22, 2010
I often used to lurk a lot because I never really knew what to comment with and I had a fear of looking stupid and being ridiculed by everybody else. Then I remembered this wasn’t highschool so I could speak up!
Even if there’s nothing much to contribute, I still like to comment because it makes me feel more involved with the blog. Being in Australia it’s harder to take part in some of the things that might be set up.
For any lurkers that read the comments I say you should comment!
Also, is it the done thing to read the other comments? I’ve never been sure.
Posted by Rachel on November 22, 2010
My name is Rachel and I am a lurker.
I read your blog every day but I guess that either I never really have anything of note to say, or I find that someone else has already voiced my exact thoughts. However silent I may be, I really enjoy reading your blog, it makes me laugh and brightens up my day. I will try harder to comment in the future.
Posted by helen on November 22, 2010
I tend to veer between lurking and commenting. I only comment if I have something to say, which is not all the time, but when it is I don’t think twice about saying something. Particularly if it’s to defend Lady Gaga…
xx
Posted by DiB (Sue) on November 22, 2010
I always read but mostly lurk, I don’t pipe up unless I think I have something interesting or funny to add to the conversation, or I have a strong opinion on something: Just like in real life really.
Also, I know you have a busy enough life without having to trawl through hundreds of comments every day, so I’m just saving you time, I’m nice like that.
Posted by LollyPolly on November 22, 2010
Hello,
My name is Lolly Polly and I am a lurker.
I have nothing of interest to say…
…See?
x
Posted by Ben Draper on November 22, 2010
It’s been ages since I’ve posted, I do read every day though so maybe I’ve become a lurker. The horror, the horror…
Posted by Gareth on November 22, 2010
If you’re interested in the lurker demographic, I’m a librarian in Cambridge. Along with the books for undergraduate courses, our library has a dedicated collection of books on climate change, from which Crap at the Environment is one of the most frequently borrowed titles. In the last year or so I’ve read that and Eleven, and been to three gigs, two in London and the one in Cambridge a few weeks ago.
I’ve commented maybe three or four times before, but like other people I don’t do it regularly because I don’t often feel I have a great deal of interest to say. I’m maybe more inclined to respond when comments are solicited. But I do read it every day, so please expect me to keep popping up every three months or so.
Posted by Lukey on November 22, 2010
I guess Im a lurker, I read every single blog, and have done since day one. I believe this is my 6th comment ever. The main proplem is I’m sooooo dull I never have any thing to add.
Posted by Alice on November 21, 2010
I’m a lurker! Hello. Checking this blog is always the last thing I do before I go to sleep… though didn’t know it was here until about 4 months ago…
Posted by noah on November 21, 2010
I am a lurker. Though i did vote for you (admittedly it was a pretty impressive list so i also voted for darren, WG grace, banksy and tony benn)
Posted by Virtual Lintu on November 21, 2010
I’m a lurker – and proud of it too. If I had something original to say, then it’s likely I’d post but your regulars are too quick and too funny for me. But I do read every (more or less) – it’s the least I can do.
Posted by Katie on November 21, 2010
I should probably comment much more often than I do, but more on than not, I’d probably just say “I agree”, which isn’t really much of a comment. But I will try harder. Sorry.
Posted by issey on November 21, 2010
I’m a bit of a lurker I’m afraid! I’ve been here since the birth of this blog but only posted a few times. So, er, hi everyone!
Posted by Sophie on November 21, 2010
I lurk… And now I really have nothing more to say. Your blog makes me smile and I need that, so thank you. I never know precisely what to say. I could ramble about completely unrelated topics, that would completely go against whatever the purpose of commenting is. Your blog is always worth reading. I can rarely find something that can make me smile and laugh every day. I will try and stop lurking and comment more freely. Thank you for being so wonderful Mark. (:
Posted by Tim Buckle on November 21, 2010
Now I feel guilty for not commenting on your blog all the time. Having started my own blog this year I share the feeling of is anyone really bothered about what is being said. I am a fan of your blog and even link your blog from mine. I will try to comment at least once a week. Keep up the hard work we are with you until the end.
Posted by Georgie on November 21, 2010
I got a bit behind during exams and didn’t get time to comment but now I’m done with exams I’ll try and comment a lot more!! I’m still planning on going back to the ‘futures not ours to see’ blog to do some future predicting! Just getting distracted with comedy shows to go to and packing up Melbourne stuff to go home to Hobart.
But I am here and I do read every day even if my grand total of something like 5 comments doesn’t show it. Hope you’re well. Melbourne misses you! (even on horrible 32 degree days like today when everyone stays inside) x
Posted by MusicalLottie on November 21, 2010
@Nathan Well, well done for commenting
I often get such stumbling blocks for similar reasons, and more often than not I will type a comment, retype it, retype it again, then delete it. It does get a little easier each time I do post though.
It does sometimes amaze me how open we can be here, and the majority of the credit for that goes to you Mark, for being so open in your blogs in the first place. (I say ‘most’ because it certainly helps that the nice little community here is as warm and welcoming as it is.
)
Posted by Alot of rach[a]els on November 21, 2010
I doubt I’m a lurker as I do comment every so often but I tend not to say anything as I think other people are more interesting/funny/etc so my comment isn’t really adding much to the overall blog and therefore overlooked in summaries and stuff
(I should add I haven’t read any of the comments for this blog as I should be working and not blog-reading)
Posted by Matthew on November 21, 2010
Some of those figures will (unless you have amazing tracking software) be various robots, accidental clickers and other non-readers. I comment occasionally, but not often. Mostly, I don’t comment if I don’t have anything to say and I don’t comment if I don’t read the blog on the day it was written etc. I am sure other people are similar.
Anyway, it’s hard to do a poll, cause the active ones answer.
Posted by Ingrid on November 21, 2010
I read every day, and comment quite a lot to, but then often end up worrying that my comments are annoying or weird…
Posted by Rachel/Pandora on November 21, 2010
Haha. I would like to share Misha’s title of ‘Anti-lurker’ please.
Posted by Aoife on November 21, 2010
Hello.
This is my second post. Started following the blog several months ago after reading your books, which I enjoyed immensely by the way, and now read the blog everyday.
I kind of agree with most others – often my comments/thoughts would overlap with something already said.
That, and shyness with a splash of laziness.
Posted by Suzy on November 21, 2010
Ditto to many others. I’m a semi-lurker – I’ve commented a few times, but usually just read (and enjoy!). I often don’t think that anyone will be particularly interested in what I have to say on anything. I nearly commented when you asked about what things would be like in 10 years, but felt I wasn’t imaginative enough and ended up feeling a bit depressed. So there you go – it’s usually a lack of self-confidence that stops us commenting it appears. Doesn’t mean we don’t enjoy your blog and thing you’re fab x
Posted by Lizzie on November 21, 2010
Hi Mark, I confess I’m a lurker. I was driven to it by annoyance at missing your various appearances on TV and radio. You may only give short notice but it’s better than being told about it a week later by G’ma (although I expect she missed the radio 1 interview too!). Don’t usually comment as everything is a rush now I’m back at work but I’ve been struck by a strange lurgy that makes me feel sea sick so have a few moments to spare in between sleeping it off.
My uni friends mentioned you’d had fun in Notts! Glad the tour is progressing well.
Posted by Nathan on November 21, 2010
Despite coming here every day, I believe I have only commented on one of the posts: the blog asked what the black and white lines that appear in the corner of TV programmes are before ad breaks (for the record, they’re for this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cue_dot#Cue_marks_in_television).
So why don’t I post more? I wish I could say (as everyone else has) that I was trying not to be annoying. However, I simply don’t talk that much in real life. I’m horribly introverted, have no social life, no friends. I think I’ve always had self-esteem issues, but from 2005 onwards I’ve been depressed. Although this has lightened up somewhat recently, I have been to some dark places I don’t particularly want to revisit (I don’t think I quite contemplated suicide seriously, but there was some pretty dark stuff).
Anyway, added to that, of course, is any other number of bizarre small issues that eat away at my will to post: What if the little I have to say isn’t very interesting? What if there’s another Nathan who regularly posts who I end up getting confused with? What do I refer to Mark as? (You? Mark? Mr Mark Watson? Do I use the polite Russian “Вы” form?)
When you find yourself left with so very little confidence in yourself, these issues – however trivial – somehow become major obstacles in your head.
Though, as I have said, things have got slightly better, at least in the past few weeks. Still, I’m effectively playing the depression card. Hope I haven’t dragged everybody down!
Posted by Sarah el on November 21, 2010
I’ve only commented once or twice before, on posts I found especially lovely
I’m definitely a lurker though, on pretty much every messageboard, or commenty place I read but hardly ever comment
Honestly most of the time I’m too lazy to articulate my opinion and type it out. Also, I lean really far back in my chair with my legs on the desk, and reaching the keyboard would mean sitting up properly and potentially spilling things and knocking things over which is far too much hassle just to voice an opinion someone has probably already stated far more eloquently than me 
I read Chris Pollington’s comment yesterday, and was moved to look up the wiki article myself, and I found it super interesting. I don’t think I don’t comment because of lack of trust, especially in such a welcoming environment as this
My final reason is that when I do decide to delurk and comment I get carried away and drone on and on for paragraphs
Posted by hornseygirl on November 21, 2010
This ‘catch-up time’ is timely. Having been away since Tuesday, I had a fair bit to do.
You’ve got my vote for the Bristol Zoo walk of fame. Good luck!
Whilst I was away, I read Eleven. Despite previously being a fairly prolific reader, it’s the first novel I’ve managed to read since my baby came along. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I think a good litmus test is whether you care about the characters. I care about Xavier. Please don’t leave him literally and literarily hanging in mid-air! I hope you are planning to write a sequel!
Posted by Misha on November 21, 2010
I’m not a lurker, if anything i’m an anti-lurker. This is just a comment to prove that point.
Posted by Tom Beasley on November 21, 2010
I read every day, but I only post a comment if I feel I have something worthwhile to add to the discussion. If I flick through the comments and what I want to say has already been said a hundred times, then I won’t bother and equally, if I don’t have much of an opinion, I don’t see the point in commenting.
So, in short, I don’t feel like I should comment just for the sake of commenting but if I have something to say, I’ll say it.
Posted by Helen on November 21, 2010
Oh gosh sorry I read and then as a result, spelt, your name wrong Aislin. See? Told you I was rubbish.
Posted by Helen on November 21, 2010
Yes I agree with Alison and many others that I worry you may find my constant uninspiring/unoriginal/idiotic comments a bit annoying and everything. This, I hope you understand, is a reflection of my lack of self confidence than some sort of sly statement that I think you’re a bit mean. I think your quite brilliant really which sort of only adds to the worry of annoying you. No one wants to annoy someone who they regard as brilliant. But the thing is, this blog is rather good and when you ask for people to comment on things like 2011 predictions etc it’s really quite fun so have I been a bit of a regular commenter. So yes, I often try to write something good but more often than not it doesn’t work out, sorry.
Posted by Catherine aka Cathy on November 21, 2010
I read blog and comments every day. Don’t normally write anything, but I’m here, nevertheless. I can’t go to bed without having read the latest. Thank you, Mr. Watson.
Posted by Dawn on November 21, 2010
I read your blog every day and a few times I could have given the first comment but I often wonder if anyone is really interested in reading the “ramblings” of a 51 year old:-)
Posted by Anna on November 21, 2010
I’m not really a lurker, but I don’t comment as much as I would like to, mainly, like a lot of others have said, because I don’t feel like I have anything to say. On more than one occasion I’ve typed out a long comment, only to delete it again in a sudden attack of self-conciousness.
Also, there have been lots of times where I’ve read the blog, have wanted to leave a comment but haven’t had time to- I do mean to come back later, but by the time I get a chance I’ve forgotten what I wanted to write in the first place..
Posted by Declan on November 21, 2010
I think I’ve commented once before despite being a daily reader. There was even the day I had the opportunity to leave the almighty ‘first’ comment but could not think of anything constructive to say which is exactly the reason I don’t usually bother. Having read this blog though, I will make more of an effort to comment more regularly. I hadn’t appreciated the sinister undertones to reading a blog and not letting my prescence be known before
Posted by Michael King on November 21, 2010
I’d classify myself as a semi-lurker. I don’t comment regularly, but I’m not sitting back and doing nothing. I think my first comment was for the signed book competition, and I was ecstatic when I won (I was the one with the walnut facts), so I resolved to comment at least every now and then!
I can also echo some of the previous comments about not having anything worthwhile to add. On blogs and more often on Twitter, I think about replying to a post/tweet, I write it out and then delete it, thinking “nah, they don’t want to hear my drivel”. It’s not that I think that the people who I would reply to prefer not to hear from fans, but rather that I think they have enough to do as it is without me bothering them! It’s some sort of inferiority complex I guess. Sigh.
Posted by Anji on November 21, 2010
I now give up. *hangs head in shame*
Posted by Anji on November 21, 2010
Bullocks. I don’t keep a lid in me. That would be quite silly! I keep a lid ON me. So to speak. *sigh* perfect example if why!
Posted by Anji on November 21, 2010
I eleventh what everyone says! And it’s namely for a comment like that I try and keep a lid in me.
I would like to point out I enjoy reading everyones comments, be it a regular poster and a observer popping in. I often admire how eloquent you guys can be.
And I’ve taken so long typing this I now may need to fifteenth what everyone says!
Posted by Josie on November 21, 2010
Usually I comment when I can but often I don’t have anything particularly interesting to say, and I’m sure you don’t want to just hear what I’ve had for lunch or my experiences with Bristol Zoo (I’ve never been). Also, the Very Late Review often contains things I’ve not come into contact with – The iPad? Potholing? India? Nope. Nothing.
Oh well, despite the fact that I can’t comment, I still enjoy reading it, and I don’t think you have anything to worry about.
Posted by andrew on November 21, 2010
watched your show on friday at warwick uni – superb – highlight of the weekend – laughed so much my face was hurting when i was driving home – well done!
Posted by Steve on November 21, 2010
Have lurked since World Cup, when you were mentioned somewhere for your funny football blog. Which it was. Which brought me here. Which prompted me to buy a ticket for the 1/12 show.
And I always see comments from people who’ve commented before, so I just keep on lurking…so thanks for the very kind invitation to be de-lurked
Posted by JontyLarr on November 21, 2010
I tend to read everyday but not comment if I’ve nothing relevant to add, or if I don’t really have the time to lend to it. Also agree that I figure it’s pretty annoying to comment everyday.
It’s an underrated quality, realising you’ve got nothing to say and therefore staying quiet. We should have more of it. I’m looking at you, Reality TV.
Posted by Morven Macgillivray on November 21, 2010
Hi, I’ve been reading everyday since July but I’ve never commented, so I guess I am a ‘lurker’. I just generally don’t have anything to say or don’t get round to commenting.
Anyway thought I would take this as a chance to say Hello I love the blog it’s nice to have something interesting to read everyday and it makes a nice distraction from uni work so thank you.
Posted by George on November 21, 2010
More a Watcher than a lurker. I normally follow the blog through the RSS feed so as I have to click through to the site in order to leave a comment, it tends to act as a filter. Also, like Aislinn commented previously, I only want to comment when I feel I’ve got something worthwhile to add.
Posted by Meg on November 21, 2010
I agree with Aislinn (and just about everyone else now I look at it) – I thought it might be pretty annoying for you if we all commented every single day. So I only really comment when I have something important and relevant to say and sometimes what I want to say comes out wrong in writing so I don’t post it. But I comment a bit. I know my mum is a big fan of the blog but she is a ‘lurker’ because she doesn’t think her comments would be very interesting for people to read. But I think they would because my mum is very clever and very lovely
Posted by Claire on November 21, 2010
I have been reading this blog from the start but this is my first comment. I was about 3 months behind at one point but caught up during reading week (that is what reading week is for, isn’t it?). I’m ridiculously awkward socially so tend to keep myself hidden both online and offline. One of my TYSIC goals is to post a comment on here though, so here is is
I don’t normally have anything interesting to add to these blogs though.
Thank you for doing these blogs Mark, they are brilliant and often inspiring to read
Posted by Emily on November 21, 2010
I have only commented once, despite being another who reads every day. I sort of agree with everyone else, anything I add would probably be repetitive/boring/annoying. But I was at that surreal Nottingham show, and met Mark and gave him a pen, and now commenting seems less scary! I’ll continue to read it (even if I don’t comment regularly), it does brighten my day, even if my friend says its ‘stalky’ to read a daily blog. Thanks Mark.
Posted by Beth on November 21, 2010
I read every day but I worry that things I write won’t be very interesting or relevant so I tend to stay quiet
Posted by Adele on November 21, 2010
I’m not exactly a lurker, as I do comment sometimes. I often refrain from commenting though because I don’t feel I have anything of any importance/use/interest to say. I do, however, read every single blog and enjoy it immensely.
Posted by ediscott on November 21, 2010
I think of myself as an observer rather than a lurker and my thoughts are not really worth sharing with others, as can be clearly seen….
Posted by Emily on November 21, 2010
I am by no means the quietest lurker out there, but I will rarely comment unless there has been a specific call for comments on something, and then not always. I regularly write something and then delete before posting (also applies to the forum and Twitter). But I, along with many lurkers and non-lurkers alike read every day, unless it’s particularly late, or if I’m sans internet, in which case I catch up as soon as I can.
Posted by TJ on November 21, 2010
Mark. Look, I admit, I am lurker. I’m new to the blog, my first viewing in fact. I was at your show in Coventry-you mentioned a blog-so here I am. But wasn’t intending to show my face in written format. This is an excellent distraction from Sunday evening blues though, thank you! Feeling better already!
Nightmare journey home after your gig- got the right bus but in the wrong direction! Don’t bother with kenilworth. Stumbled back to Birmingham at 1 am! Worth it though. Counted 3 times now I’ve had reason to go up to people shouting NO!!
Posted by squoozles on November 21, 2010
I guess you could call me a lurker. I think this is my 3rd post in total, so maybe I’m more vocal than other lurkers. But rest assured, I do read every day, and frequently chuckle, so mission accomplished Mr W.
Posted by Aislinn on November 21, 2010
P.S. I still think I can beat the weird signed objects mentioned in the blog from a couple of days back. I THINK. My fingers are crossed.
Posted by Aislinn on November 21, 2010
I think, if I’m at all representative of any of the ‘lurkers’/blog-readers in general, that sometimes a lot of us just feel a bit… well, annoying, commenting every day. It may just be me but I’m ever so slightly aware of the fact that you might *possibly* read a comment by me one day and think to yourself ‘Well, I mean, I like the comments and all, but every day…? And she’s just repeating stuff everyone else has said!’ or something.
But I mean I’m far from silent on this thing, so. There we go.
Thanks for the catch-up time.