Yes, just imagine me on the phone trying to scribble down one of these humongous URLS...
How come we have a link to 'my comments'????? If I want to know what I've said to myself, I can 'talk' to my kids. I'd much rather 'we' know that someone has actually spoken TO 'us' in reply.
Pings are a way to let 'you' know that someone thinks you'd have an interest in the subject/ or they value your opinion/input. Unless, of course, 'your' role model is Foghorn Leghorn, who says,'Go away son, you bother me'.