I do understand that responding to comments is a task in itself . People should take that into account on their expectation on replies . but the amount of upper level replies is lacking or zero and to make higher then thou remarks on good content is hypicrital .

It does take time but it is time well spent And it is a fabulous source of material as one gets to understand what kinds of issues others really have. I find chat the same.

People ignore the comments section as for example, I upvote comments but don't always get upvoted (I am not complaining, it is the way it should be) so authors say, 'i don't get anything out of it'. BS. That is the audience that supports you, don't be an ass.