Let's Talk About Commenting
We twittered about this a few days ago, but we’d like to open it up for discussion: What can we do to improve the overall the quality of comments on the blog, to encourage lurkers to get involved without alienating some of the more active and, um, spirited commenters? We hear quite often from regular…
We twittered about this a few days ago, but we’d like to open it up for discussion: What can we do to improve the overall the quality of comments on the blog, to encourage lurkers to get involved without alienating some of the more active and, um, spirited commenters? We hear quite often from regular readers who feel uncomfortable, even intimidated, with the prospect of commenting. This isn’t surprising given the verbal beat-down one new commenter received from a gang of regulars a couple of weeks ago. Nor is the level of discussion going on in today’s Open Thread really where we’d like it to be. Short of active comment moderation, which really isn’t a practical option, what do you think we can/should do to elevate the quality of discussion and make newcomers feel more welcome? We’d be particularly interested to hear from some folks who usually hang back on the sidelines. It’s in the best interests of the blog and everyone who reads it to have as many people contributing their knowledge and opinions as possible.
Thanks,
Mr. B
> “beyond the realm of possibility that Mr. B is the What?”
I’ll admit that the thought has crossed my mind.
xander…speaking for myself, I just posted above. As far as MM is concerned, after having been labeled a PBA by the What I don’t think she gives two hoots either how someone actually rates her. This is really the most lame waste of time I can think of.
I really can’t see myself wasting any MORE time with a “rating system.” Does anyone really care how some Asshat rates their comments? Come on, get real.
randolph…you’re the one that enters every thread with “pathetic losers.” A little self-reflection might be in order. But please don’t leave. We need you when the topic at hand has been completely discussed and the “sewing circle” (yeah, you’re a man) needs something trivial and inane.
Mr B was pretty vague about what he meant when he said that he wanted to “raise the quality of the comments” so we’re all left here to try and figure out what he means.
It couldn’t mean the Open Thread, since that was created specifically as the clearing house for off topic bantering among the regulars. ANd I think it’s wored terrifically. I usually skip it, because I try to avoid reading things that make me picture rob choking his brooklyn chicken, but every once in a while when I’m having a slow day at work, it’s a nice diversion.
It couldn’t be a proble with DIBS, BRG, etc on the regular threads. Ever since the creation of the OT all of those cats have pretty much stayed on topic and actually add value to those discussions. Except for the What, of course – but even he has some entertainment value once you stop taking him seriosuly.
SO mr. B – other than randolph’s well deserved verbal beat down. What are you really getting at?
one last point about rating and filtering systems.
the real difference is that with a moderator you’re asking a single person to make a subjective decision about the topic worthiness of the posting.
With rating and filtering systems you’re letting the community make the decision about the worthiness of the community. So maybe montrose or DIBS might be pissed that people are rating them but at the same time they can rate others as well.
It’s actually the more *democratic* way to help structure the information into usable chunks.
Anything else involving moderation is totalitarian in the sense that one person/system/code/metric decided who to remove.
Lot’s of websites do this:
http://www.youtube.com
http://www.digg.com
etc…
with all this talk about Brownstoner loving the controversy because it increases hits which increases ad revenue…
i’ll just say it: is absolutely beyond the realm of possibility that Mr. B is the What?
Like some sort of anti-superhero, super ad revenue boosting alter ego?
randolph…lets use this exchange as a perfect example of one to take to the OT. All others, take note. This is how it works. Enter the OT at your own risk.
I don’t really see a problem here. It’s the internet so it’s going to get a bit messy. There is need to coddle the whiners.