Taking the Pulse on Anonymous Commenting
We’ve been getting more and more requests from readers to eliminate anonymous commenting. (The topic has also been on the front-burner because of a certain article this week.) There are clearly major flaws with a system that allows commenting without accountability, but doing away with it carries its own set of drawbacks in the form…
We’ve been getting more and more requests from readers to eliminate anonymous commenting. (The topic has also been on the front-burner because of a certain article this week.) There are clearly major flaws with a system that allows commenting without accountability, but doing away with it carries its own set of drawbacks in the form of diminished information flow, opinion and overall energy on the site. We’re curious to know how the community feels about the issue so please take a moment to fill out this survey and chime in below.
Thanks,
Mr. B
p.s. Just to clarify, just because you register, and comment under, a username, does not mean that your true identity is on display for the world to see. It means we can easily block a disruptive commenter, or contact him/her by email about bad behavior. It also means that other readers can begin to associate comments over time with a particular online identity, theoretically improving the ability to carry on discussions.
I am 100% opposed to mandatory registration.
What would prevent someone from logging in as guest and “trashing” your advertisers.
Wouldn’t your be concerned that they may pull their ads from your site?
yea, bxgrl was the one who posted links to really offensive stuff. incredibly violent and sick links.
i always skip her posts, no matter what.
i would have changed my sign in if i were her.
11:47- you can split hairs all you want with me but it doesn’t do you any good. I think everyone knows what the poster and I both meant and you simply look like someone trying to pick a fight. Have fun- I have no intention of going through over 200 posts to find sentences to prove my point. You’ll just try to find something else to snipe at. But keep wasting your time if that’s what you like to do.
Biff- thanks! I’m going to the rally and going to enjoy the day too. Here’s to a better brownstoner and don’t forget- if you and Dave get a room, invite all of us to the party!
bxgrl
What a minute, isn’t bxgrl the one who posted those horrible links? I’m pretty sure this is the same person who posted links to porn and to really terrible, violent images. That kind of behavior is NOT cool!!!
“I admire those who sign in (or at least attach a handle like you do given the technical difficulties some experience in being able to sign in)…”
Biff, I agree. There aren’t very many things in life that reflect true, genuine courage. However, if there’s one thing in this world that requires courage, it’s signing into a blog using a completely made-up user ID that can in no way be traced back to you. That’s what I call guts!
P.S. If nothing else, Mr. B now has another surefire 200+ post topic in his back pocket if and when we see the survey results and impact, if any, on the sign-in decision!
Hey, bxgrl, post #200 was all yours! And no problem including you – I should also have included MM and NOP as well. I’m grateful for the kind things you’ve said about me. One post like that means much more to me than 200 trolling comments! Speaking of trolls, I think 4:19 makes excellent points (thankfully without resorting to directly insulting anyone)…we should print it out and periodically refer to it when tempted to feed trolls and respond to ad hominem attacks. I’ll always defend myself and am not bothered by heated exchanges, which are sometimes inevitable, as you said. But most attacks really aren’t worth a response.
I admire those who sign in (or at least attach a handle like you do given the technical difficulties some experience in being able to sign in) and find there is an overall comraderie and willingness to have each others’ backs for those who do. It doesn’t mean we always agree and turn things into a lovefest but it is rare two “identities” go after each other. Even when we do, we seem to get over it quickly. Some posters insist we go to chat rooms, email each other, get real friends or “get a room”. To me, Brownstoner isn’t a replacement of or subsitute for those things. It’s just an additional medium to discuss topics that interest us and yes, see a few folks here that we admire and enjoy and say hello to. Anyway, this is a rare weekend visit to Brownstoner for me, but I am particularly interested in this topic, so thought I would quickly check in this morning. Off to enjoy the glorious day now with friends (yes, I do have “real” ones too!)
bxgrl, have a great day and looking forward to seeing you here again.
“By the way succinct and shorter often go hand in hand and since the intent was shorter posts, I tend to think I got the point, whereas you did not.”
No, the intent is more *succinct* posts, which you would know if you’d read even one small portion of this thread! At least *try* to make sense.