There are people, very few mind you, who believe that their opinion is right and everybody else is misguided. There is no room for discussion on matters where opinions vary.

In a forum like this, where there is the option to remain anonymous, those who prefer taking the easy way out are definitely in their element.

I read an article a few days ago that was based on religion. I thought that article was well written and would have thought so, even if I didn’t agree with the content. However, I noted that someone – who naturally didn’t leave a name – had given a vote of 2.

A day or so after that, I read another blog, whose owner ranted about the fact that he was being given low ratings, on his postings, by someone who did not have the courage to vote and leave a comment.

My view is this. Writers appreciate knowing what works and what doesn't work for their readers. Our ego is fragile, however, I prefer knowing what specific faults the reader found and any comments as to how the material can be improved. That helps me. What doesn’t help is a low score and no comment.

If and when I come to read material that is poorly written, I’d rather not vote than vote and not leave a comment.

If the site is geared at us helping each other improve our writing, I’d think sharing what we liked, agreed with, disagreed with or thought could be better expressed would be standard procedure. Don’t you?