I love reading comments. You never know when someone will enlighten you with a different perspective on something you've thought you understood well forever. As well as the joy of having people who understand things that I do not, explain them to me in a casual way. The chance of having someone share their joy is much higher than in more formal writing contexts.

I write comments not for the ages, or for the engagement, I want to share my perspective in the hopes that it will give others the same joy I've received from their comments.

How many published books actually get widely read? I mean, if you're uncomfortable throwing your words out on the net, then what forum is worthy of your work? Why publish anything if it won't be forced into the minds of every schoolchild by government backed indoctrination systems?

If you think of yourself as a writer, if you think written communication is important, even; what better opportunity to practice the craft? Would you respect a musician who never took up their instrument unless there was a large attentive audience? Or is it still worthy to play the trombone out on the back lot for no one but yourself and the cows?