I am sure you must have seen how different blog posts get “hijacked” by an audience engaging in those conversations without you having much more to add, or perhaps nothing at all due to time constraints. I think in that context having comments enable is still a good thing to do; it’s part of the conversation.

I think the challenge would be to set up the right level of expectations with your readers as to how you would best engage in those conversations yourself, i.e. commenting on each and everyone of those comments or only on the ones you feel most compelled to comment on.

One thing I know for sure, specially after the three years I have been involved with micro-sharing/-blogging is that I don’t need, nor want, to be a bottleneck for those conversations; or to close them off altogether; better let them be and see where the conversation flow.

Agree with you that things would not be the same anymore. It’s like a “private” conversation amongst just a few going crazy into the hundreds / thousands, but still a conversation, don’t you think?

In my PhD I distinguish between uses of a weblog for publishing, conversations with self (~inward focused part of PKM) and conversations with others. If publishing (and reaching audiences as big as possible) is your main interest than comments are not necessary. Conversations, especially those with others, are totally different story – in those cases comments are essential.

If folks comment on those blog posts all the better; it adds further up into my original thinking, but if not, it’s ok. I will be developing that thought at a later time and if folks comment then that’s fine. If not, I will keep maturing that thought even some more.

All part of my PKM and learning experience, I suppose; but one I have learned to treasure over the years

That’s how I have always seen blogging myself; a learning experience where everyone interested can take part and add their ¢2 as part of that continuous learning activity of bouncing back and forth an idea

I know, however, that I’m unusual in that – hence tending to comment on a fair proportion of what I read – as I know most bloggers blog for an audience. So I like to let them know I was there!

The other reason to allow comments is so that your followers can communicate with each other. Knowledge improves through discussion.

Would I be looking for comments with that flavour for the posts I would regularly share? Somehow I feel that need may not be that much of a need anymore… Thoughts?