Can you earn by just responding to discussions and not start one?

Well yes, you could still by simply responding here. But posting at least once a week or whenever you feel like you want to share something for others, could also help add some on your earnings here. I am not that much of an active thread starter, so I mostly earn my points through responding. I post once in a while, but there's a big draw back in doing it. Since I have to comment on almost every response I'd receive, just to let them know that I did appreciate their effort in reading and sharing their opinions concerning my topic. You could try experimenting on it, so you could see what you feel would work appropriately for you. I average at about 20 and more posts a day by simply responding, as I do it many hours ahead just right before the earnings gets updated to make sure that it adds up to that very same day.

yes you can you can earn by sensibly replying to discussions without posting one. it is possible with each of it the number of post increases and you are paid for your effort.

I have found that I've earned more from responding to discussions, than from startind discussions. I think the reason for this is that more responses equal more participation. If one starts a half a dozen discussions and just waits for everyone else to espond, they are not being as active, as if they responded to hundreds of discussions. I think MyLot does it this way in order to encourage participation.