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 usually skip the registered and only read guest posts. some of the registered guests are really agressive and don’t really talk about things i’m interested in. if i wanted to go to gay.com i would…
Biff – You take this website WAAAAAAAAY too seriously.
Please get a life.
THE BEST COMMENTS ON THIS THREAD SO FAR ARE FADED TYPE GUESTS!!!!
What I have said it faded type insults don’t count. This is because I don’t take negative comments and attacks from guests seriously because it’s impossible to know what they’ve contributed over a period of time and some seem to add nothing but confrontation. They have no ownership or accountability for what they say and there’s no way to track the history of their posts. I have no idea if they’ve ever behaved civilly or added anything to any discussion. It’s so easy to be a guest and put others down without having to defend oneself. That’s why I prefer people register.
Now we have putnamdenizen calling me a “hipster” in a clearly derogatory use of that label. Trust me, I am far too old to be a hipster. I am far to big for skinny jeans. However, I personally, don’t resent some kid wit a good job and a bad haircut who can buy a house. I just don’t want to get in a bidding war with them.
Someone please tell me how putnamdenizen’s login has helped this discussion? Being able to “hold someone accountable” for their personal attacks in no way stops them from making them.
The fake “What” is such a downer…Totally seems inconsistant with the What we have grown to know and love (or Hate)
Maybe Brownstoner could somehow confirm his identity under his new “What” log in using IP address or something?
Just a thought.
11:54, I don’t claim all faded type comments are worthless and if you’ve looked around the other stories even this morning, you’ll notice I’ve directly complimented probably around 10 posters, including guests, on their intelligent and insightful thoughts. I haven’t attacked anyone – just responded to attacks. At least I try to add insight to the topics at hand, unlike others, such as yourself.
jerri blank doesn’t post here anymore from what i can tell.
11:47 has apparently no other friends since he/she has committed all of our names to memory…and spelled each one correctly I might add.
Bravo.