>>"Do you always read ...?"

For others' articles that appeal to me or interest me, I scan most all the comments and read many with care, especiallly where, as here, I've taken the trouble to highlight passages. For my own, I read every comment, but, lamentably, that's not a burdensome task. There are far too few for my preferences. (More about that in a bit.)

>>"Do you write ...?"

Again, when I'm interested. I don't write "nice job," or "great article." That's what claps are for. And, no, I don't reflexively clap 50 times every time. I write instead to engage the author or, if really lucky, another reader.

>>"Why do you ...?"

I like comments. Wrong. I love comments, für und wider, pro o contro, pro or con side. Wrong. I love well written comments with semantic content.

I write comments to engage. Sadly, it seems that very few readers or writers on Medium wish to engage. Either they haven't the interest, the time, or the talent. (Ouch.) And no, I'm not convinced that it's the quality of the comment in my case.

>>"Do you feel ...?"

No, not exactly. Put out is an inaccurate descriptor. I feel disappointed and cheated. I write, be it article or commenet, because I want ot reach readers, to touch them, to move them, to entertain, and to affect their mindsets.

I'm disappointed when the evidence points to my failure to have done that, as a paucity of comments would suggest.

I feel cheated of the opportunity to have done that. I feel that the Fates wove me out of the tapestry at that point and that they cheated me out of the opportunity to participate in the discussion. And no, again, I'm not ready to concede that it's the quality of my product that's responsible.

Unlike @tim denning (who will never see this), I don't abjure my responsibility because the comments might be negative. If they have a valid point, I will take it to heart. If not, I'll just shrug and move on..