I’m curious about this. This forum is pretty active, yes, but any time I look it seems like there are a lot of viewers. Someone said it’s bots, I guess maybe, but the bots then sure like this forum like the people do.

So, why not say hi and jump in?

I guess their could be a number of reasons.

A, they could all be guest users brouzing the site wondering if they want to sign up

B, they could be people who want to post, and want to say hi, but not sure what to say or how to introduce themselves

or.. maybe they are just that

lurking on the forums so they can get the information they need, then leave

their's a lot of info here, I suppose it's quite possible that a user can just find what they want without posting a question themselves.

another possibility is that these people want to post and comunicate, but arn't really good with technology, and don't know how to begin

[Nola0250]

Sometimes I lurk when I don’t feel good enough to post.

[RubyRae]

I think I'm really more of a lurker than a poster.

I usually come to this site and read posts without logging in.Then if there's something I want to say or ask I log in,post,then log back out.

There's so many members here and so many posts and so many different topics that I'm sure people are helped just by lurking and reading without the necessity of joining.

[Guiness187055]

It's always nice to get as many opinions on topics as possible.

[RainyDay107]

I’ve been extremely unwell and just can’t log in sometimes. I finally logged in today, still unwell...I guess I feel obligated to support others and it’s hard when I’m unwell.

For example, right now it’s a severe mixed episode and I’d check myself into IP if I was alone. Fortunately, I’m not alone so I’m “safe” and can’t act on the severe ideations. My pdoc and therapist are on top of it, I’m doing a med change.

I’m doing slightly better today so I logged in.

Sometimes I lurk because when I’m so sick all I can do is stare at the screen...for about five minutes. And I love his forum.

I don’t know why I stay away wh n I need support the most. I know you all are supportive.

[Nammu]

Most times can't think of anything to say. Meds keep me at same ole same ole and my mind is coasting on blank.

[bizi]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Most times can't think of anything to say. Meds keep me at same ole same ole and my mind is coasting on blank.

nammu, I would never call you a lurker!
((((HUGS))))
appreciate all of your input/advise/support!
bizi

[Northchild]

My humor and... er.... "informal outlook" when it comes to the generally established social guidelines here can be a bit much for people. Once people get to know me, they see that I (usually) mean well - but if I posted more here I'd have to be very careful to censor myself, and that's sometimes more work than I want to do.

[*Laurie*]

I don't quite understand the lurking thing, either. I guess I'm too opinionated to lurk.

[Nammu]

Originally Posted by bizi

nammu, I would never call you a lurker!
((((HUGS))))
appreciate all of your input/advise/support!
bizi

Thank you, you are so kind. I feel like a lurker cause I read a great many more threads than I post in.

[RainyDay107]

Originally Posted by Nammu

Most times can't think of anything to say. Meds keep me at same ole same ole and my mind is coasting on blank.

I’ve actually enjoyed your posts and found them insightful.

[Daonnachd]

With the exception of my post about my grandma’s death, I’ve been lurking lately because I feel nothing I say actually matters. I imagine most people read what I write and groan, “Whatever.” That or, “Obviously.”

I know it wouldn’t look like I’m a lurker judging by my post count, but I’ve been a member for more than ten years, and part of that I was hypomanic. Right now I’m clearly not.

[emgreen]

Originally Posted by vertigo

I imagine most people read what I write and groan, “Whatever.” That or, “Obviously.”

I recall many of your posts as being tremendously supportive of others who were having problems. That hardly constitutes a "Whatever." I think your impressions of posting are primarily between your ears! Despite my post count (which is highly inflated because I participated in the games forum when I first joined PC), I can relate to your feelings, though.

[Miss Laura]

I guess there are loads of reasons.

1. Nothing to say
2. No confidence
3. Uncomfortable
4. Some people just like lurking

There are probably more....

I personally lurk cause I feel what I have to say isn't important or I say the wrong thing and upset people which I hate doing. It's a self conscious thing I guess. Plus I'm always worried about how I come across.

[Fuzzybear]

I sometimes ask myself the same question.. why so many “reads” but not more posts. I try to be welcoming.... ... I also wonder where a couple of people have gone

[bluemountains]

I used to post quite regularly; however, I became nervous with posting when I received a reply that was hurtful. I now read regularly and if I think I can offer support I will reply occasionally; however, I don't think I am ready to ask for advice again.
Bluemountains

Hi,
I'm new to the forums, but lurked for weeks before finally introducing myself in the welcome thread. I have a deeply imbedded fear of rejection. There has been times I've written out a reply and instead of hitting the submit button, I hit the back button in my browser to delete my post.
So here goes....submit reply

[seesaw]

I lurk because I don't have bipolar disorder, but this is an active forum with many topics, so I enjoy learning from you all.

[Pookyl]

I lurked for 3yrs before joining. This was partly because it seemed like an effort to join and I don’t have questions often. I found the ‘5 posts’ rule a deterrent from joining - keeping in mind that I have terrible concentration since my bipolar diagnosis.

Not exactly a lurker, but I seem to go in spells of posting. In "lurker mode", folks have already covered most of the reasons (oh boy, coasting on blank -- hear ya Nammu!), but another comes to mind. I often read to keep up with what's going on with everyone while I'm on the bus. Responses generally take me longer to put together than I have to write them. So, time. But often often often it is just not being able to think -- like you say, glamslam, "staring at the screen".

Then other times ya can't shut me up, lol!

[Takeshi]

Originally Posted by key tones

I’m curious about this. This forum is pretty active, yes, but any time I look it seems like there are a lot of viewers. Someone said it’s bots, I guess maybe, but the bots then sure like this forum like the people do.

So, why not say hi and jump in?

"Dead [a]ss?"

"Hey, girl, what it do?"

“Why you grilling me like that? We just met, I was just about to go hit the bodega, what do you want?”

"Lurker gotta lurk, why you acting like dead [a]ss friendly? Ain't cool, ain't cool at all, na mean?"

"This makes me wanna' just spaz out at random dude on the internet."

"You woulda thought someone was just gonna jump in cuz you aksed, you must be buggin'..."

“Why won't you chill out and stop being so empirical and ****. You look dumb tight over nuttin'"

"Bots too, gotta do what bots gotta do. You're mad sus for talking to me like that."

"If you wanna' know the truth, we got a techy broad in this hood for that. Put your ear to the sky.... get the hint?"

"Hey Enya, trust me-- you don’t wanna’ take it there. You could ask yourself instead, why am I acting so thirsty?”

Lurkers - Why Don’t You Post?

"Hold up, hold up. You serious?!? Get the ****outta here!"

[Row Jimmy]

I have enough problems without bots following me around.

Originally Posted by Fuzzybear

I sometimes ask myself the same question.. why so many “reads” but not more posts. I try to be welcoming.... ... I also wonder where a couple of people have gone

I know - I put messages on their pages hoping to hear something

Originally Posted by bluemountains

I used to post quite regularly; however, I became nervous with posting when I received a reply that was hurtful. I now read regularly and if I think I can offer support I will reply occasionally; however, I don't think I am ready to ask for advice again.
Bluemountains

OK, you just come and get me next time, and I’ll stomp around and yell and stuff.

Or, maybe offer them a cup of coffee like Laurie does, LOL. She is so cool (and funny)!

Sometimes it turns out one of us was in an episode. You can always tell yourself that.

I hope you come back and post more. Overall, I think it is supportive here