Question: Do non member readers outnumber members by 20-1?

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

I just read one of the best posts I've ever read here: "I Shook Hands with Barack Today!"
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7079934&mesg_id=7079934

I cannot imagine any member of DU not recommending this moving story. I was Recommendation #100 - yet almost 2000 people have visited the thread - so that begs the question, are we outnumbered by non member lurkers by 20 to 1?

[MadrasT]

1. Good question.

If the same person revisits a thread to read replies, does it increment the counter? That could explain some of it. I go back to some threads a BUNCH of times....

[tekisui]

3. Every view counts, even revisits.

[tekisui]

2. Everytime it's opened it counts.

So, one poster could add multiple views to it.

That said, I am sure there are a lot of lurkers, I have no clue how many.

[CJCRANE]

4. I wonder if the page counts

only show views by members who are logged in? Anyone know?

[question everything]

5. I have not read the post, however some of us are more careful

with our recommendations for something that is very much outstanding that deserved to be noticed by many (seeing that that page is the first stop for many DUers).

After all, I have seen a thread starting with nothing and many just laughs and.. yes, recommends it.

Worse have been the threads, during the primaries that screamed, in all CAPS, "RECOMMEND THIS THREAD IF YOU THINK THAT HILARY IS A PIG" and many were happy to oblige.

Thus, a recommended thread should be taken with more than a grain of salt.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

9. Read the post - I think you will recommend it....And I don't know you..

My point is how many readers did not recommend it. My feeling is they must be non members, although points made upthread about re-visits by members is valid, but with a ratio 2000 reads and only 100 recs, it makes me wonder.

edited for spelling

[elocs]

10. I don't start many threads, but I have had what I thought to be well written and thought out threads

that were lucky to get even 1 Rec, yet when I started a thread just about something I had just seen on 60 Minutes it got 17 Recs in a few minutes. Yes, it is ridiculous how some posters beg to have their threads Recommended, yet at the same time there are some well known posters who only have to start a thread even if it only says "boo" and it will get enough Recs to make the greatest page.

At the same time, I don't read every thread here, even if it is deserving of a Rec. Can't Rec what you don't read. I'm glad that somebody got to shake Barack's hand, but it was just not compelling enough for me to open and read.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

12. "just not compelling enough for me to open and read"

Well, that's your loss. But when kpete says something like - Best post I have ever read - well, what does she know?

[elocs]

15. "Best post I have ever read "--how exactly am I supposed to know that from just the headline?

I stand by my original statement: I read that someone shook Obama's hand and I think, "good for them". That's all the headline said, that they shook his hand.With all of the many, many threads here that simple statement is just not enough to make me want to read it. I'm sure I have missed other threads that people believe are the best they have ever read. I guess that I'll just have to live with that.

[question everything]

14. Thougtful thoughts do not get recommendations

flaming ones do - as was clear during the primaries.

Certainly posts that are trying to balance opposing point of view, to even, on occasion, agree with a Republican will not get recommended but will be considered as "troll."

And, yes, you are right. Skinner, or NancGregg may just say "Good Morning" and they will get 100 recommendation.

At some point we all should reach a stage in our lives where we are confident in what we say and who we are and are not dependent on others' opinion.

(Unless we have to, if the "other" is a boss or a customer on whom our livelihood is dependent).

[Number23]

16. That is such a good point

yet at the same time there are some well known posters who only have to start a thread even if it only says "boo" and it will get enough Recs to make the greatest page.

Isn't that odd?? And I'll just leave it at that. :)

As for the OP's question, I saw the referenced thread and thought it was wonderful. But I didn't recommend it. It already had 95 recs by the time I'd read it so I didn't see the need. I can count on one hand the number of threads I rec here every week, sometimes every month.

[Dhalgren]

6. After 10 or 20 recs I generally don't bother.

It was a touching story...

[TexasObserver]

7. your assumption is faulty

You seem to think one has a duty, not an option, to recommend.

If there are already 100 recommends, what is the point of one more?

Why are you worried about the failure of other posters to construe the practice of recommending as you do? You seem to imply others OUGHT to see it as you do, and recommend accordingly. I see no point in that, and consider it a waste of time.

[TahitiNut]

8. Indeed it is one of the best posts ... by a man unable to use a keyboard as easily as most of us.

When one considers the care and effort that went into composing that post - on top of the content - we should be humbled. Can you imagine the increase in quality of this forum if everyone took half as much care in spelling, composition, and clarity???

I not only applaud the expression of human values and personal experience, but applaud the sheer consideration for others demonstrated. We should be half as respectful of each other as he is.

[No DUplicitous DUpe]

11. Indeed. And I was humbled, and in tears.

Thank you for your excellent point, TahitiNut.

[KoKo]

13. Okay....I'll get my butt over there right now and read it....!

I had passed it by ...but with such a strong rec...I'll check it out. :D