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January 12, 2009

NYT's Look at Blog Commenters

This weekend, the City section of the Sunday Times took a front-page look at the nature of the commenting culture on local blogs (in addition to a focus on Brownstoner, Curbed, Gowanus Lounge, GerritsenBeach.net, and Roosevelt Island 360 all got ink), something New York City has in greater numbers than other cities. While it didn't seem like a particularly new issue to us, hopefully it spread the gospel to the uninitiated. "For the past few years, blog comments sections, acting as virtual town squares, have offered residents around the country a forum in which to weigh in — and vent — on a wide spectrum of local issues," went the article. "But given New York’s size and diversity, not to mention its fabled brashness, political energy and high emotion, its blogosphere is taking a particularly striking shape." Yours truly was quoted about the no-brainer decision of allowing comments from the get-go of the blog, despite the fact that some of the established blogs at the time blocked comments. The piece wraps with a description of the Brownstoner End of the World party that took place last October and readers' reaction online:

The next day, online, the partygoers spoke enthusiastically about the experience. Some noted that their virtual friends didn’t look like what they had expected. A poster named Slopefarm was shocked to discover that Montrose Morris was a woman. Ms. Morris got her own surprise, as she commented, tongue firmly in cheek: “Slopefarm, good to meet you, too. I’m disappointed you didn’t have a stalk of organic, heritage, artisanal hay harvested by Bhutanese nuns between your teeth. You are in Park Slope, after all.”

It'll be interesting to see how much traffic the article generates—we'll be able to report back in a few hours. Update: Traffic yesterday was about double the average for Sunday, but still not close to a normal weekday.
You Talkin’ to Me? [Brownstoner]

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Comments

I'll bite. I can't believe that my little 15 minutes of fame is for an internet etiquette faux-pas and as the set-up man for Montrose's punch lines. Sorry again, Montrose. Next time, whatever happens at whatever BoCoCa joint we pick for the next Brownstoner gathering stays at whatever BoCoCa joint we pick for the next Brownstoner gathering.

Seriously, despite all the silliness, inanity and occasional invective, a lot of good exchanges happen here and, as the October event showed, there is a real sense of community.

Posted by: slopefarm at January 12, 2009 9:50 AM

Green with envy!

Interesting who was NOT mentioned by name in that article. At least the New York Times is not interested in the crimally insane.

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 10:00 AM

It's funny, I always pictured Montrose (probably my favorite commenter) as looking like Lester Freamon from The Wire.

Posted by: Frederick Law Homestead at January 12, 2009 10:14 AM

slope--there are many things in the world you could be that would be worse than being a useful foil to MM.

Posted by: wasder at January 12, 2009 10:16 AM

Agreed, Wasder.

Posted by: slopefarm at January 12, 2009 10:21 AM

And for the record... I think the comments in Brownstoner is far more intelligent and meaningful than Curbed.

That place has turn in to a sh!t hole/

Posted by: crimsonson at January 12, 2009 10:21 AM

I remember the first outing at Union Hall. I was the first one there and couldn't figure out who might be whom coming in from brownstoner. Then MM, bxgrl and I all of a sudden just started chatting.

Then Biff arrived. :(

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 12, 2009 10:23 AM

This is wonderful! Montrose's words of wisdom have spread to a larger audience thanks to slopefarm. And kudos to Brownstoner for the recognition.

"Then Biff arrived. :("
DIBS, was it that bad hanging out with me??

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 10:36 AM

Glad to see that I wasn't the only one who assumed that MM was a dude.

Posted by: Make My Heights the P Heights at January 12, 2009 10:38 AM

Where you going to watch the game next weekend Biff. You weren't that bad.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 12, 2009 10:41 AM

Nice Article...Motroses's prose need to be amplified for the masses!

Biff, you were inadvertently noted in the article, sort of. You were the organizer of the 'End Party'
Does that make you feel better, now that DIBS admitted to thinking you're a schmuck!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 10:42 AM

DIBS, not sure. I'll be cheering for the Eagles, though, wherever it is.

BRG, unlike others who rest on their laurels and are content with ongoing mediocre commenting after receiving a questionable QOTD honor on a particularly slow posting day
I don't need validation. We're all well aware of who thought up and organized the End of the World Party. (For those new to this blog, it was ME DAMMIT!!!)

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 10:51 AM

And it was ME DAMMIT, who received Quote of the Day!!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 10:56 AM

Wow, who knew Biff was such a diva? No wonder people thought he was me.

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 10:56 AM

^^^ I'm resting on my laurels and am content with ongoing mediocre commenting after receiving a questionable QOTD honor on a particularly slow posting day!!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 10:57 AM

Congrats to Slopey and MM on your '15 minutes'! Couldn't happen to nicer posters!

Posted by: cobblehiller at January 12, 2009 11:06 AM

Congrats on the article Mr. B.

It was refreshing to see that the writer really took the time to read and get to know the blogs he was writing about.

Nice job.

Posted by: TownhouseLady at January 12, 2009 11:12 AM

BRG...where did I say I thought Biff was a schmuck?????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 12, 2009 11:15 AM

Slopefarm and Montrose, I think that little anecdote was mentioned because it could be deduced online. I don't think the author interviewed any commenters or came to our outing. Surprising the What was not mentioned. Maybe they wanted to avoid the topic, since NYMag wrote a whole story about it. Or maybe it's not relevant or they don't know about it.

Posted by: mopar at January 12, 2009 11:26 AM

Probably the former, Mopar. Brownstoner The What does not make.

Posted by: Nokilissa at January 12, 2009 11:29 AM

I think there is no way that Miss Chiff and Mr Biff are not one in the same. If they are actually different people, they have a lot in common.

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 12:19 PM

sam, it's not me, although that would have been a pretty good prank if it was.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 12:25 PM

It would have been genius if Miss Chiff and Biff were the same...but Biff is not that 'smart', so I think not!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 12:29 PM

Sam;

Look at the open thread. The identity of Miss Chiff has been revealed.

I still want to know where Lisa is.

Posted by: benson at January 12, 2009 12:32 PM

Benson, I know, but I was still dubious, although if Biff says he ain't Shiff, so be it.
I do think they should go on a date because they seem to share many personality traits.

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 12:42 PM

"....because they seem to share many personality traits"

Sam, you are so right:
11233 has kids...Biff is a child.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 12:50 PM

LOL. My partner would not allow me to go on a date with anyone else and I wouldn't want to.

And NO sam, Biff is not my partner. Biff lives in Brooklyn Heights, where the brownstones are only $800K. I live in the ghetto.

C'hiller: That was my clue: The King, 1969. "In the Ghetto."

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 1:15 PM

Why no more 11233 then?????

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 12, 2009 1:20 PM

When Benson says someone must die, someone must die. R.I.P.

Besides, if Beyonce can be Sasha Fierce, I can be Miss Chiff.

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 1:23 PM

What a nice surprise!

Thanks for all the kind words, everyone.

You like me, (sob), you really like me!

Posted by: Montrose Morris at January 12, 2009 1:26 PM

Aaahhh, Montrose, you're alright in my book!
The Times likes you also.

"When Benson says someone must die, someone must die"

Well then 'bayridgegirl' better high tail it outta here!. I have to think of a good new handle for myself!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 1:31 PM

Can I be Miss Demeanor then???

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 12, 2009 1:34 PM

"When Benson says someone must die, someone must die"

Miss Chiff;

I didn't pronounce any "death wish" for 11233. I thought 11233 and I were in agreement on some things, especially concerning one particular mentally-ill poster.

But as long as you say I have this power, weeeeellllll, let's get started.

BRG: where are you? I want to speak with you for a moment.

Posted by: benson at January 12, 2009 1:34 PM

Benson, I'm heeeere!
But catch me on Freaky Fedder Friday, when I can really devote time to our death match!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 1:37 PM

Benson, I'm heeeere!
But catch me on Freaky Fedder Friday, when I can really devote time to our death match!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 1:39 PM

I'm changing my name to ----- Miss Spell

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 1:44 PM

"11233 has kids...Biff is a child."
BRG, can you please permanently switch back to your Miss Chiff login? She's much more pleasant.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 1:49 PM

...which is probably why so many people here still cannot believe / accept that BRG=Miss Chiff, even though you admitted it long ago.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 1:50 PM

Maybe I'll change my name to Miss Match

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 1:52 PM

Biff, you should change your name to ---- Miss Take!!!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 1:56 PM

"Biff, you should change your name to ---- Miss Take!!!!"
zzzzzzzzz...lame-o.
BRG, please switch back to Miss Chiff. She's much funnier.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 2:05 PM

"C'hiller: That was my clue: The King, 1969. "In the Ghetto.""

Ah, thank you - I was so lost on that one Miss Chiff - I was googling like mad. MLK, Elvis, etc...I was so close!

11233 came to me after a quick nap yesterday - I was tired and frustrated after the short list was tossed out.

The moral to this story is: When the going gets tough - take a nap!

Posted by: cobblehiller at January 12, 2009 2:09 PM

"BRG, please switch back to Miss Chiff. She's much funnier."
Biff, please get a clue already...I'm not Miss Chiff!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 2:13 PM

BRG, please get a clue already...you are Miss Chiff and you aren't fully!!

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 2:16 PM

"aren't funny", that is.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 2:16 PM

its true that BRG talked about how she could send messages out from different login names less than a minute apart. Not hard to do with a computer and a blackberry. right?

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 2:30 PM

Who would you like to die, Benson?

Mistriess BRG: Do you need me to dispose of Biff. I can kill sam by writing a really long e-mail.

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 2:32 PM

sam, not to mention BRG said in the initial thread that her first comment gave the identity away. The mystery is dead:

"Leave Miss Chiff alone!!!
;-)
Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 9, 2009 10:42 AM"

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 2:33 PM

I'm confused. I haven't been this confused since The What wrote a rational, pleasant post.

Posted by: benson at January 12, 2009 2:33 PM

Do we need to get Mr. B involved?

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 2:34 PM

Benson: 11233 = Miss Chiff.

Biff, eternally obsessed with BRG, cannot let go of the idea that BRG was talking dirty to herself and calling herself mistress. This will all end when Biff goes to release the tension created by the images in his head.

sam is an instigator.

I missed that post by the What.

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 2:37 PM

"....and you aren't fully"
Yes, I'm not fully amused by YOU, Biff!!!!
I haven't signed up for the login name Miss Spell...would you like it.

Yes Sam...I did say that someone can sign in and out in one minute.
If you go through that thread, there was a post from some 'asshat', ie Biff, and then a minute later Miss Chiff posted. I was insinuating that I believe it's Biff.

I threw out so many clues in friday's thread hinting that it's Biff, who by the way, still won't believe that 11233 admitted to it...hhhhmmmm.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 2:39 PM

No please, please, Not a really long post, I beg you.

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 2:40 PM

NO, please. The number of grammatical and spelling errors would keep Biff posting here for hours.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 12, 2009 2:44 PM

Wow, once again BRG and Miss Chiff both show up at the same time in the same thread and once again talk about me...how coincidental! benson, if you go back to 11233's posts you'll see that he never had a rapport with BRG (much like everyone else) or posted like BRG/Miss Chiff does. In fact, 11233, as DIBS pointed out, admitted he doesn't like women. BRG/Miss Chiff doth protest too much...

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 2:45 PM

This quote from the article struck me as one of the most relevant: "Like Mr. Johnson, bloggers are expanding the idea of what constitutes a neighborhood: it's not just a place, but also a constellation of views and opinions." As a reader of Brownstoner from day one and an occassional poster, I believe one of greateast challenges of this website (from a business viability perspective) is how will Mr. Butler manage to keep the constellation of views and opinions from being reduced further than it has over the past 18 months. Inclusiveness is evolving into exclusiveness.

Posted by: ITM at January 12, 2009 2:49 PM

Biff, don't use me as your / Miss Chiff's fall guy (gal).

"benson, if you go back to 11233's posts you'll see that he never had a rapport with BRG"
Biff, you are so clueless!!! You sure don't know how to play the game. You will lose, I will conquer you!
_____________________

BRG: Off to Dyker Heights this weekend to see the Christmas lights and hang at the Bridgeview Diner. I will be thinking of you while I eat my dinner.

Posted by: 11233 at December 16, 2008 2:59 PM in response to Open Thread
_____________________

Glad they opened the toilet when they took that bathroom picture sideways.

This house is in Bushwick, not BS.

I await BRG's and THL's decision on the kitchen. BRG/THL, please opine.

Dave: That building on Halsey and Marcus Garvey is nice and should be a model for other developments.

Posted by: 11233 at December 12, 2008 11:25 AM in response to Horror Show Friday

11233 wrote a review about Coco Roco on December 10, 2008 12:40 PM
______________________

"a lawsuit, church, sex toy, and a girl"

- BRG

Sounds like the plot to the new movie (and B'way play) "Doubt"

I thnk you have a hit on your hands BRG.

Posted by: 11233 at December 5, 2008 1:30 PM in response to Friday Links
_____________________

BRG: I only jest. And you are not an appliance snob by any stretch. I have always kept the possibility of resale on my mind when I have made any changes to my house. That said, I make the changes I want and live with the potential re-sale issue later. Since I have never ever had to buy an appliance before in my life, I feel really odd about the task of shopping for one. I would rely on my parents, but they never bought an applicance either. (Perhaps it is a genetic aversion to stoves?!) So I default to the people I know who have ever made their opinion known. I have gotten some feedback from various people and, of course, think about what would make me happy. Given that I only have leftovers and alcohol in my fridge and I nuke or reheat everything I eat, my needs are few. Your thoughts stick in my mind. Not in a bad way. They are just there. THL and others have commented about appliances, but your comments were the first for me and I remember them more strongly.

Wait, did I just go off topic and talk about a house?! This thread is about socializing. How dare I?!

Second thought: If this thread is about being social, shouldn't the what be banned from posting?

Posted by: 11233 at October 17, 2008 4:56 PM in response to Here's To Our Future
_______________

wasder: I promise to talk to you next meet up.

OK, I have to admit that I did talk about someone here last night ......

Bayridgegirl!

Yes. I am starting to look for kitchen appliances and I have BRG in my head as I snoop around. It drives me crazy! I vented to Pete. (No harm done, BRG, I just think about you all the time.)

Posted by: 11233 at October 17, 2008 3:07 PM in response to Here's To Our Future
___________________

Thanks, fjorder and bayridgegirl. I thought I had heard the same about Viking and Sub-Zero, fjorder.

BRG: I will gladly share my heinous kitchen pictures with you if I can find them. This kitchen was so bloody ugly and useless, I tore it out. I still have one on the parlor floor, but that will be gone the second the other kitchen gets redone.

Sorry for changing the subject here.

Posted by: 11233 at September 24, 2008 3:03 PM in response to House of the Day: 169 Clinton Street
_________________

Thanks, BRG. I am only half joking. I am planning to redo my kitchen and it is interesting to read what someone who is looking for a home is looking for in a kitchen. Ultimately, I will make the decision that fits my budget and taste but I always have an ear out to hear what others are thinking. Thanks.

Posted by: 11233 at September 24, 2008 2:09 PM in response to House of the Day: 169 Clinton Street
_________________

bayridgegirl: Can you please opine on the appliances.

Posted by: 11233 at September 24, 2008 1:45 PM in response to House of the Day: 169 Clinton Street
_______________

I think bayridgegirl has been talking down the Bed-Stuy condos because they have GE appliances.

Posted by: 11233 at September 23, 2008 12:08 PM in response to Prices Falling in Greenwood Heights and Bed Stuy
_________________

Now, Biff, don't you have a bathroom to go to. Don't hurt yourself! And not too fast, your brain might ooze out!!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 3:05 PM

Someone's been binge drinking already.

Posted by: daveinbedstuy at January 12, 2009 3:08 PM

Oh c'mon!
I begged you not to post a novel.
Some day, after I get my lasik, I will come back and read it.

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 3:17 PM

BRG/Miss Chiff, read what ITM just wrote. Please stop wasting everyone's time hijacking this thread with a joke we're all tired of. It isn't all about you. If you don't have anything useful to say, stop posting, or post your rubbish in the Open Thread.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 3:20 PM

No, need to read it Sam...my point was that, Biff's post about 11233 never having a rapport with me is ridiculous.

You can scan and see clearly that Biff is WRONG!!

No comment from the ever elusive Miss Chiff!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 3:21 PM

You started with me, Biff...should I remind you!
Take your attacks and allegationsto the Open Thread!

Sorry, Mr. B.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 3:24 PM

You guys crack me up.

Posted by: East New York at January 12, 2009 3:50 PM

ITM: You can just jump right in. Don't be put off by Biff. I looooooves to go one and on.

If you want to expand the views of this blog, don't let a few people crowd you out. Sometimes I think people go nuts here just so their point of view can be heard. (I'll own that comment!) Like a holiday dinner with your family.

From a business perspective, I would think this is about traffic to the site and jumps to an advertiser. If we don't do that, it wouldn't matter how civil or inclusive the discussion is. Mr. B would have to change the strategy.

Enjoy the soap opera, add your comments, learn a little and have some fun.

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 4:17 PM

Miss Chiff...clear my name, already...you @#$%^& B*tch!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 4:45 PM

brownstoner has a nice mix of posters, there are the demented ones and the sane ones and the succint amusing ones (my favorites). It isn't really crass and offensive like Curbed nor censored into a stupor like the Brooklyn Heights blog.

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 5:11 PM

..that's succinct, as in brief.

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 5:16 PM

...as in snarkslope!

Posted by: cobblehiller at January 12, 2009 5:21 PM

What else can I do Mistress BRG? If stalker Biff does not believe us, what can we do? We can ask Mr. B to confirm that you and I are not the same.

Feel free to continue to degrade me in public, Mistress BRG.

Posted by: Miss Chiff at January 12, 2009 5:21 PM

we are currently experiencing a spot of dementia, but it should pass.

Posted by: sam at January 12, 2009 5:26 PM

"We can ask Mr. B to confirm that you and I are not the same."
Aaah, but I feel we're so in tune!

"Feel free to continue to degrade me in public, Mistress BRG."
I thought you like getting in public. Would you rather I degrade you in private.

Sam, I dare ask for a list of posters and the category you classify them.

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 5:34 PM

Yep, 11233 must be Miss Chiff; the similarities between the excerpts BRG posted at 3:05pm and the masochistic postings of Miss Chiff are uncanny. Not that I'm complaining. I find it amusing to witness both the sadistic and masochistic sides of BRG (Miss Chiff).

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 5:37 PM

So now you want to match me and Miss Chiff go at it?
Biff, take your own advice and take it to the 'open thread'

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 5:50 PM

"So now you want to match me and Miss Chiff go at it?"
Yes, I like to match.

Posted by: Biff Champion at January 12, 2009 5:56 PM

Damn my spelling!
Damn you Biff Champion!
Damn you Miss Chiff,
it's all your fault!!

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 5:59 PM

"Yes, I like to match."
You haven't matched me yet?

Posted by: bayridgegirl at January 12, 2009 6:44 PM