I have to speak to this because I know one person this is happening to and the problem does not lie with her (she's not asking her freinds to comment on her writings), and she is very distressed that this is happening (especially when the comments are directed toward the graphic accompanying the story rather than the story itself). It is nothing we have any control over. I guess education is the only answer to this one...but who comes here to be educated? Certainly no one who is doing the posting is reading this forum. As far as getting people to read more than one person's work, I don't know how to pull that off. Heck, I couldn't find a way to get subscribers to the Renderosity Interactive Magazine to read the article on the website, what hope do I have of coming up with ideas here? I admit I don't post comments often (not in any gallery). It has been heavy on my mind that I am no one to judge someone else's work, and I don't feel comfortable only to be able to post "great job" and have nothing useful to say. Am I the only one intimidated by the idea of commenting on a story or poem? I'm nobody to judge someone else. I tried being an editor and it was agony to me, because I know some people simply cannot deal with criticism, no matter how mild, and I don't feel I have the right to discourage (even unintentionally) someone else. Writing comments that are 100% positive seems equally non-productive...that' means everyone is perfect and no one needs to grow their talent. Comments on the galleries have always been problematic. I don't think they are a very good place to get feedback. That's just my opinion. Remember my bias: I don't think anyone wanting to be published should place a work they hope to be published in so public a place. A private writer's group is a much better idea, in my mind. Ideas, anyone? I'm sure people out there have them.