How long would you read a discussion before you give up?

It depends entirely on how the discussion is written. If it's not properly broken up into paragraphs, it's a lot harder to read and usually I can tell from the first sentence or two whether I'm interested in reading the rest. The best long discussions lead you into the 'story' and make you want to read more. Sadly, however, the most readable long 'discussion', even though it is fascinating and memorable and makes one think ever so much, is not really a discussion so much as a monologue or a story and doesn't actually inspire anyone to make much of a response. A fascinating story or lecture may only inspire applause, however good it is but the best topics are 'conversation starters' - they give sufficient information but, on the other hand, inspire and incite people to think and give their own opinions and thoughts and respond to those of others. There is no hard and fast rule about 'how long is too long' or 'how short is too short', though it almost always depends on the comprehension and attendance span of your audience.

I prefer reading discussions that are to the point and not going on and on.

I think that this post is about the right length at least for me because when they are much longer I become very bored and move on to the next post without leaving a comment.

They could contain pearls of wisdom and much more but I normally skip long posts

MyLot isn't the place for longer content. You have to leave something out of the post in order to encourage discussion. If I were writing an article though everything must be included, but people have to understand Mylot is not a writing site.

Just wondering how you know that people give up after 5 sentences? I never count my sentences, I just say what I want to say. I may prune it a bit if it turns out to be very long, but not if it affects the post as a whole.

A lot would depend on why you are reading a post in the first place, which is usually for one of two reasons. Those members who are using Mylot purely as a source of extra cash will probably be in a hurry to read and comment, so short posts would be obvious choice for them. Personally I use Mylot for pleasure, so as long as the post offers some interest to me then I shall be happy to read a fairly lengthy one.

I don't always read long discussions, unless the title grabs me, and then I will take the time to rad the discussion, evenh though it would be a long one. I try myself, not to do along posts either, as I like to keep the users attetnion, and not put them to sleep, which some discussions can do, not mine particularly, but others that I have seen. I do like them to get to the point and not make it to long, as a really long discussion can be boring not to mention, the users reaqding them lose their train of thought, and just move on.

For a site like this, I agree, people want short and sharp. Longer posts are best for other sites.

depends on so many things: how interesting i find it? how tired i am? how much time i have?

Whatever the length, if it's interesting I will read it. If not, yawn. How do you know when people give up?

I really don't know how to answer that as some of my posts are long, but they are necessary for their depth. I think - I know I shouldn't say that - however, when a person says the same thing over several times, or even once the post is too long. If you feel the need to reiterate - it's too long. For instance this comment is much too long because I've become redundant. But that's to prove a point.

I can write long. Around 5 paragraphs--short ones. I can write short. For me...i don't mind how long or short the discussion is. As long as it needs to be there--words or sentences or a couple of paragraph. Cause there are discussions that are long but not boring...there are short and it goes nowhere.

Well according to me,whatever interests us makes us read that and ya many a times it has happened that the post which are few lines long are the most popular ones and with the maximum responses as well.

since we Amercans have the attention span of a ten year old I seldom write very long discussions and I do break mine up into paragraphs too.as for myself if I ma interested I will read your post short medium or long but am not impressed by very short one sentence posts as they seldom can be discussed.

If the subject interests me I am with it till the end no matter how long.. but if its purely personal stuff that I cannot relate to, then I might try another post of yours. It also depends on what I am doing at that time.. I am always multitasking so I may come back to your post later.

No post is ever too long as long as it sticks to one topic, does not have superfluous bits and pieces hanging off either/both ends, it has a clearly defined ending and is more than one word but less than three words long, it is perfect! Hope this helps, Wendy!

How long or how short one will write in the discussion matter . I think that there is no mathematical formula to determine it. It depends on the criteria raised in the discussion, Any scientific, philosophical, high literal, political, legal or like such matters take broad space whereas personal feelings on day to day occurring matters are very unlikely to occupy broad space. Thus there should not be any mandatory limit in which one should be bound. However it should also be borne in mind that my lot is not after all a research forum where very high level matter be put into..

Depends on the topic. I usually read thpusand plus words articles by social media influencers and successful bloggers online up to the bottom because I want to learn something from them. Same here :)

Yes I would personally give up on a long discussion typically more than 15-20 lines. However, if it is really very interesting and engaging, then even 25 lines can be read. But usually, it should be short and to the point.