Okay, this has been brewing in me for a while and I think that now is the time to bring it all out into the open.... I speak of the burgeoning conflict that is the rating-to-comment ratio.

Lets break this down; On numerous occasions, I have added various links to many different sites, and always venture back to see what people think of the link, or their reaction to it (be that positive, negative, or even criticism towards me). But over the last few months it has become increasingly obvious that people are rating the link, but leaving no comment!

The way I see it, its like breaking into your neighbours house when they're out, having a look around and using their toilet (without flushing), and then not telling them when they get home.

I don't think I am being unreasonable in the suggestion that if you read a link, pick, soapbox, watch a video or whatever, that you also leave a comment afterwards. I'm not asking for you to write a new bible chapter in a comment, but just show a little appreciation, or say what you thought... because you DID have a reaction to it... you're not some kind of Borg-like creature with no emotions! If you've given it 5 stars, then say it was good... if you've given it 1, then say why!

I like going back to something I posted and seeing the response of the fanpoppers.... it's like publishing a book and reading the reviews afterwards... you find out what the fans did/didn't like and can either feel pleased with yourself, or react accordingly.

In some cases (mostly with Picks) there is a question that could really split the field and prove to be debate-tastic... yet people seemingly vote for controversial choices, and then don't explain themselves! Its like an Army Chief announcing that the only way to achieve world peace is to kill all Gay people... then running away to do it! You can't say, or agree to, something like that and then not explain yourself!

But mostly I think the issue lies within the '5 Star Ratings'... whenever something is rated '5 Stars' it seems to be then that people don't respond, as if they feel they don't have to comment after giving it a top rating. Whenever I see such a link with NO comments... its like when you saw the cloned Ripley's in Alien Resurrection.... there is just no soul (and they might as well be deformed).

As for the links with more ratings than comments, it's like something is missing... like someone has stolen from the link, but not given back. So (at risk of sounding like a Telethon) lets do it, lets give back...