You have a good point and it's totally right, sometimes the time element comes into it a lot. I don't mind smaller comments when they are sincere, just like @dawnsheree said above. I just feel as though leaving a comment on shorter comments all the time just encourages that type of comment, but that's just my opinion.

I feel as though it's better to leave it until you do have time and come back and say something about it then if you need to. It would be great if leaving an upvote, of any percentage, was seen as an expression of true gratitude and not laziness.

You're correct, if you aren't reading the post, don't be wasting our time ;) The platform helps you get better at reading, if you aren't reading you're missing out big time. Interaction with others is great but it doesn't mean jack-shit if you can't read and understand what they're saying.