The sad truth is that hate memes for the sake of hate and fun on the expense of others are a reality - shouldn't be, but hey - it sells - otherwise there wouldn't be hundreds of comments in matter of hours.

In general, with the right incentive, masses turn into immature, rude, malicious and irresponsible mob with prevalent attitude of entitlement to zillion things.

I don't write, don't do art and am in LJ just to have fun. I give feedback quite often -- I'd say in 80% or more? If I like the story I'll write immediately or days, weeks later if the story stayed in my mind. It's the only thanks I can give to the authors.

Sure, it's nice to get answer from the author back, but I don't really feel I'm entitled to get back a russian novel or even a thank you for each I loved the story OMG - so hot!! I comment with.
I much prefer author brainstorming for another story or delicious manipulation.

What I don't like is the selection to answering the comments to posts which are not story/art related. If a LJer is writing/discussing about a certain topics (i.e. enthusing over hotness of Clark Kent's biceps and six pack) and I give my deep insight, ahem (i.e. OMG - yes, you know how seeing that mak Lex nuts -- he sure wanted to fuck him right there on the spot) and I see that the LJer only answered the selective group of friends (possibly before and after my comment) -- and that is a consistent occurrence -- yeah, that bothers me big time. I don't comment anymore.

Also, I am not big fan of filtered posts where flaming of one person happens in a selected group. Yeah, we all like to gossip, but still it is in a way even more hurful and just as cowardly as anonymus wanking.