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Do you comment and engage online? If you do you're in a minority

So says new research from Red C.

HOW ACTIVE ARE you engaging and contributing to some of your favourite websites?

Well, if do you regularly comment on sites, articles or forums than you’re more active than about four in five Irish web users.

That’s according to research from Red C which asked 1,000 people whether they classified themselves as contributors who “often comment on sites, articles, or in forums”.

Less than one in five (18%) do, with men under-45 the most likely to be contributors. Over 25% of men say they are “actively engaged” with the websites and forums they use.

For people who are less active, about one in four (23%) say they “join groups and forums but rarely comment or become actively engaged in these”.

Over half of the online community only engage to a readership level.

PastedImage-53599 Red C Red C

The researchers also looked at how much people contributed to some of Ireland’s most popular sites and found it differed greatly.

Youtube is used by almost 9 in 10 (88%) and also has a lot of engagement from Irish users.

About 4 in 5 of those surveyed say they regularly or occasionally post on  Facebook while Boards.ie outperforms Twitter for use, 51% compared to 40%.

Read: One million tweets: Here’s how social media was used to encourage people to vote >

Column: People who use social media need to think long and hard about their privacy >

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66 Comments
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    Mute O Swetenham
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:35 PM

    Sure it’s just a bit of craic. Although sometimes I don’t know why people bother. Like on this site anytime Northern Ireland is even mentioned in an article you can take it as a given that the same old pointless pissing match will ensue in the comments section.

    143
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:43 PM

    Yeah between those who support violence and those who oppose it.

    26
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:44 PM

    Yeah but when you’re bored mention NI and watch the fun.

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    Mute art vandelay
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:44 PM

    Stop mentioning it so.. I’m only here to see Mister Fantastic setting red thumb records every day…keep up the shite work,you’re doing awful..

    73
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    Mute Mike Clinton
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    Jun 26th 2014, 10:29 PM

    It’s just another of walter mittys (rodgers) accounts.

    14
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    Mute whynotme
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    Jun 27th 2014, 9:47 AM

    Mister Fantastic cannot be Richard ,Mike … Where’s Saul when I need him ..

    1
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    Mute CAPITAINE ADEBAYO
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:42 PM

    I’ll be 74 years old in September. This website has brought so much highlight to my twilight. I feel like I’m 20 again.

    Keep up the good work!
    Adebayo

    101
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    Mute Sean Glennon
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:17 PM

    And here I thought theJournal.ie commenter were a representative cross section of society…

    101
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    Mute Norman Hunter
    Favourite Norman Hunter
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:22 PM

    Whatever gave you that idea?

    39
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    Mute James Dibble
    Favourite James Dibble
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:06 PM

    No i don’t -

    50
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    Mute Ciarraioch
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:14 PM

    Only when Richard Rodgers or KKK are on the Fascist prowl !!!!!!!!

    38
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:18 PM

    Does it ever embarrass you that SF support is only ever strong in anonymous, online forums. All those multiple troll accounts still only count as one vote each in real life – hence 85% of people not voting for SF in the last local election!

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    Mute Were Jammin
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:31 PM

    “SF support is only ever strong in anonymous, online forums. ”

    Yep, thats why they’re the only party with elected MEPS in each constituency in the country, and have between doubled and tripled their elected council representatives in the last local elections, because they only have strong support in online forums….

    53
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:35 PM

    Doubling and tripling f**l all is still f**k all.

    30
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:39 PM

    There’s old Buddhist legend which goes as follows: Imagine a mountain, 10 miles high, 10 miles wide. Every 10,000 years a rook sharpens his beak on the top of the mountain and flies away. When the mountain has been worn down Sinn Fein will be ready to enter government.

    25
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    Mute James Dibble
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:39 PM

    Will all yee stop piggybacking off my comment please -

    34
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:43 PM

    @James: Why? It wasn’t very interesting before.

    8
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    Mute James Dibble
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:51 PM

    Because you lot are talking bollox

    43
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:53 PM

    @James: Seems like a natural extension of your comment then.

    9
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    Mute James Dibble
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:55 PM

    On an unrelated topic – Maybe if you spent a little less time cavorting with Madam Palm and her five daughters, you’d be a little more alert.

    37
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    Mute Ciarraioch
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:00 PM

    And the highest Vote of any Political Party in the 32 Counties of Ireland too !

    18
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    Mute Ciarraioch
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:02 PM

    Mister Fantastic – your views are only fantastic – if they were only factual – they would be even more fantastic – now that’s fantastic – isn’t it ?

    20
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:08 PM

    Ciarraioch, jesus it shows how desperate SF is now if they have to start adding the votes from two different countries. Sure let’s bring China into this while we’re at it. Oh no I guess the communist party has won again.

    23
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:15 PM

    Why would you take the votes in another country where none of the other parties ran for an election which wasn’t held in that country? Is this how SF is planning to do our Budgets? Well yeah we f**ked up and the country is in massive debt with poor international investment and rising unemployment. But sure when you add in northern ireland it all looks amazing!

    20
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    Mute Qwerty
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:21 PM

    Ogra Sinn Fein paint post boxes green in Northern Ireland. They’re nearly a parody of themselves.

    21
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jun 27th 2014, 6:48 AM

    When you think about it – former Royail Mail post boxes painted green are a parody of themselves. And yet we still have so many of them.

    2
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    Mute Jane Travers
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:16 PM

    Only idiots comment on a forum like the Journal.

    Oh, wait…

    44
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    Mute Ryan Ash
    Favourite Ryan Ash
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:11 PM

    I’m managing to comment less than I used to. So hopefully I’m becoming less idiotic!

    The best comments are often by people who don’t comment regularly and who just contribute their own experience to a particular story. Pity there is no filter just for those comments!

    19
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    Mute willie
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:12 PM

    Occasionally but always regrettably

    32
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:16 PM

    Regrettably for those reading your comments also.

    14
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:22 PM

    Applies to your’s aswell Mister.

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    Mute Pickart Solny
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:48 PM

    Norman, I am really surprised at you writing ‘aswell’.

    6
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:51 PM

    Draws them out Patrick.

    20
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    Mute Chief
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:02 PM

    I nearly have a bet that our good buddy Patrick was the first person to comment ever on the Internet.

    19
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:14 PM

    That would explain the general poor quality of thought in comment sections, they give a platform to those with shout loudest and think least. I’m looking at supporters of one political party in particular.

    31
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:42 PM

    How does one “shout” in the written format?

    21
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:46 PM

    YOU TELL ME

    25
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    Mute Norman Hunter
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:53 PM

    Still can only read your nonsensical reply, no sound.So again how does one shout in the written format?

    12
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    Mute molly coddled
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    Jun 27th 2014, 1:44 AM

    Ha.

    1
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    Mute James St John Smith
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:06 PM

    Never

    25
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    Mute TOP CAT
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:27 PM

    Long time reader,
    First time commenting……

    18
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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:19 PM

    It beats trying to get a letter published in the IT, seems to be reserved for those who know someone on the inside judging by the frequency some names get published.

    15
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:33 PM

    Maybe try saying something interesting next time. You never know.

    11
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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:55 PM

    @misterfantastic as I have stopped buying the IT some years ago I am not going to waste my time, prefer this platform instead.

    13
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    Mute Stan Smith
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:18 PM

    It’s not the worst minority to be a part of

    13
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    Mute Richie Aprile
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:17 PM

    Oh yeah and most people that complete these surveys always tell the truth. They the same spoofers that say they don’t have a telly.

    13
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    Mute Niall B.
    Favourite Niall B.
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:16 PM

    Obviously didn’t ask anyone here so.

    12
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    Mute Eric Lensherr
    Favourite Eric Lensherr
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:32 PM

    Only lunatics comment online.

    Sponge monkeys flogle

    8
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    Mute Neal Ireland Hello
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello
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    Jun 26th 2014, 8:12 PM

    I never comment on anything online.

    7
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    Mute Jonathan Bambury
    Favourite Jonathan Bambury
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:12 PM

    Some people just shouldn’t ….. eyes roll up lol

    6
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    Mute James Dibble
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:15 PM

    I sincerely doubt that “lol” you claim to have done.

    22
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    Mute Jonathan Bambury
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:33 PM

    If you have snapchat I’d gladly send you a lol ….

    2
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    Mute Dave Malone
    Favourite Dave Malone
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:06 PM

    Never! Wait.

    6
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:32 PM

    Moriarity is that you?

    5
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    Mute Dave Malone
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:47 PM

    Empty vessel, is that you?

    21
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    Mute Shawn Rahoon
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    Jun 26th 2014, 9:24 PM

    No it’s not. I’ll leave you guessing:):)

    1
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:06 PM

    Yup.

    5
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:29 PM

    Look closely at the picture. It says “RT yup”!

    2
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:51 PM

    Well having two i’s on the keyboard would be a bit redundant.

    6
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    Mute Paul Roche
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    Jun 26th 2014, 9:23 PM

    There is no “I” in “the keyboard”

    5
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    Mute William O Connor
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:45 PM

    i’d never comment on these things but then I’m over 45

    5
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    Mute Mister Fantastic
    Favourite Mister Fantastic
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    Jun 26th 2014, 7:49 PM

    Also hard to post using a 2006 version of internet explorer I’d imagine.

    5
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    Mute Heliolight
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    Jun 26th 2014, 9:58 PM

    Pity the graphic is unreadable. Ongoing issue on this app.

    3
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    Mute molly coddled
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    Jun 27th 2014, 1:50 AM

    Yes I do, but no-one listens

    2
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    Mute Claire W
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    Jun 30th 2014, 12:35 PM

    I think it depends on the sites a person frequents.
    Youtube is terrible for comments recently. The only people who seem to comment are those against whatever the video in question is saying. and then a handful of people defend the point leaving an endless circle or debate. Mixed into that you get some people with strong or radical views posting the same messages on every video related to that topic.

    1
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    Mute Zozzy Zozimus
    Favourite Zozzy Zozimus
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    Jun 27th 2014, 12:13 PM

    I think it’s fair to say that those responding here are not a representative sample.

    1
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