I have a new pet peeve that's developed over the past year as I post more of what I write online.

I call it the "No Comment" syndrome.

It occurs when someone feels the need to comment on an article they've read by saying, essentially, that they don't have an opinion about it but just felt like commenting anyway.

For example, I wrote a post about a reality television show I watch to have someone respond by saying--

"I don't watch television. Nothing good on it."

Ooooookay.

So why did that person feel the need to tell me that they have nothing to add to what I said?

I don't mind a good discussion, or even an argument, but commenting on an article only to say you have no opinion on it seems sort of pointless, doesn't it?

It makes me wonder if these people actually thought about how they'd sound saying something like that in a social situation.

If you were at a party, and a group of guests were talking about New York and you piped in to say--

"I've never been to New York. Never cared to go."

You'd get a few looks. Most people would consider you rude.

Yet online it seems perfectly reasonable.

As someone who writes a lot about pop culture, I find the "No Comment" people seeking me out even more frequently.

The fact is, nothing about pop culture is necessary--that's why it's pop culture. I write about it and talk about it because it's fun, not because I think it'll solve the problems of the world. I think this seems pretty evident if you read what I write, and yet I still get people who say things like--

"Why get so excited over a movie?" or "What does this song have to do with soldiers dying overseas?"

Well...nothing, but thanks for your input--or lack thereof.

For some people, being online has the intoxicating feeling of being important. They feel that their point of view is crucially needed regardless of what it pertains to, even if it's a point of view without any view--or point for that matter.

I've decided I'm going to start deleting those "No Comment" commentators. Since they're not adding to the discussion anyway, why bother having them there to clog up the works?

Think perhaps I'm going overboard or getting too worked up?

Well then, please--

Feel free to comment.