Of comments and commentators

As I mentioned before, many of my blog posts are inspired by comments on the previous post. And after reading Anonymous' comment and others' retorts on my last post, I am inspired.

I have decided to come up with a list of the many possible types of blog commentators that I think exist in the blogsphere:

For the mere sake of simplicity, I shall use the pronoun 'he' throughout, without any hidden implications. So please refrain from attacking me on that.

The casual reader
He drops by your blog now and then, and reads a post if the title sounds interesting, if it's not too long, and possibly if it is accompanied by an interesting picture. The post has to be significantly significant for him to post a comment.

The friend
He is your friend. Reads every post because he knows you very well. If he is not in the same city, he reads it just because he knows that both of you are too busy (read 'lazy') to email each other. Comments once in a while. Your blog becomes a way of staying in touch.

The banterer
He reads all your posts and comments on almost all of them. He grows to become a part of your blog, and often, the reason why others visit the same post again and again. They love to read his comments and other banterers' responses, and to generally "see what's happening" on your blog.


The loyalist
He reads all your posts and likes your writing (most of the time). He checks your blog several times a day, often leaving a permanent window open. He feels a certain sense of ownership and loyalty towards the blog. And if someone is out of line on the comments page, he will rise to the occasion with aplomb to defend you.


The silent reader
He reads all your posts, but never ever posts a single comment. He is the answer to the surprisingly large number of hits on your page compared to the number of comments.


The 'almost there'
This chap is gonna set up his own blog any moment. He is extremely tempted about the idea of having his own blog, but for some reason does not have one yet. Looking at your blog gives him hope that he will have one some day. He is a deep thinker, a characteristic often reflected in his long and well thought through comments on your blog.


The judge
He like to judge. Often, he is obviously angry with you over something, or has a grudge against you. He reads every one of your posts, and waits for the kill. Once he finds a weak point he can use against you, he goes all out. And yes, he prefers to remain anonymous.


The mistake finder
He reads all your posts. However, he only leaves a comment if he manages to spot a mistake (not typos, but factual errors) that you or a commentator posted, and he thrives on the joy of being the one who spotted it.


The 'I've given up' blogger
This dude used to blog regularly before giving up one fine day. Now he reads other people's blogs and wonders how they sustain it. He hopes that one day, he will be inspired enough to resume blogging.

Which one are you?