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
One of my coworkers just made an interesting suggestion.
Suppose you put some VERY liberal cap on the number of posts someone could make to the site over the course of a day. Perhaps 10 or 15? A large enough number so that we could capture anything they have that’s of substance, but a small enough number so that we could avoid the rest.
A cap of this kind would force people to THINK about what they’re saying. Remember the old Seinfeld episode when Elaine was evaluating men in terms of whether they’re “sponge worthy”? Well, some of the regulars would have to consider whether the idea that just popped into their heads is “post worthy”.
Oh for Pete’s sake–if you don’t like a thread, either join in or skip it!
Who goes around rating people’s comments and then insists they adhere to their personal standard of decorum before they’ll grace us with posts of their own? Sissypants! Talk about a cold dead hand…that’s the quickest way to kill off a blog.
the usualsuspectsaretools…we welcome you as another “typical narrow-minded, brooklyn-native wannabe, dimwits who may think they know everything about every subject broached on Bstoner, but in reality have no idea.”
Glad you’re one of us now!!!
Brownstoner:
Since you began to require registration, threads here have much improved.
Since the start of the Open Thread, other threads are much more on subject.
Perhaps something like the New York Times’ “Editors’ Selections” and “Readers’ Selections” systems would highlight comments you and others thought most interesting, making Brownstoner more efficient to scroll (at least for some readers) without banishing any comment.
You might also try allowing people to link their comments directly to earlier posts so readers can create and follow a line of discussion. The Huffington Post does this, and its effective.
But Brownstoner isn’t the Economist (on this I’ll agree, as I usually do, with Montrose Morris). It’s a gaggle of posters who love Brooklyn and its neighborhoods. And Brooklyn, as we know, isn’t a neat and tidy place.
Nostalgic on Park Avenue
“If I started a blog to discuss brownstones, and blog ended up generating 400 daily comments on edible spreads, and the on-topic comments seem increasingly like retread worn-out arguments, I’d probably also take the opportunity to reflect for a moment on where it’s headed…”
^^^^^ Mr. B take a look at your stories, dress those up!
“Why would anyone want to rate poster’s comments? It’s someone’s opinion, not the user friendliness of the latest gadget. Seems to me, that’s a good way to keep people off the site – you give your opinion, and a host of anonymous people decide you aren’t worthy. Yeah, I’d post again. Not.”
100% agree with MM. Give a poster that bickers with another that weapon and it will become a lot worse around here. I guarantee it. Human nature – it will become even more ‘High School cafeteria-like”.
If you do not like another’s post, you are free to state why you do and post it. There, isn’t that nifty!
om mani padme hum, What! Snappy, can you pass me some skittles.
I agree with Montrose — the market isn’t very hot right now, and all the new projects look the same anyways, so there’s not a lot to say.
My suggestion for a new topic would be focusing in more on what some of us enjoy commenting on anyways — interior design. Sort of a localized apartment therapy, brooklyn-style. This would also be less divisive than the whole gentrification vs. the mysterious “them” thing, and a hell of a lot more fun.
I know you’re already doing a little of this, Mr. B, but I think you could do a lot more.
Even though my typing isn’t — that would be grammatically correct.
Sorry!
DIBS, that wasn’t directed at you — I know you work. And your comments are usually on-topic, well-measured, and grammitcally correct. Thanks!