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
Miss Muffett….you’ve posted many times in the past on a real estate thread way more than 3-5 times. How would you like that if your ideas and viewpoints were being commented on by others and you weren’t alloed to defend yourself.
Bring back guest commenting.
I also do not understand why it isn’t possible or practical to monitor the posts.
All forums for debate have a moderator to maintain decorum and topical comments. I don’t think there is another solution.
You want quality posts and wider participation? Moderate. And stay away from Curb’esque method of putting cynical comments in every post. That sets the tone.
No free lunch.
Forget trying to address it by “the usual suspects” – daveinbedstuy and pitbullNYC are just annoying. That’s why I don’t check the comments as often as I used to.
I’m probably one of the more annoying commenters to many people and for that I do not apologize.
I’m also probably one of the people who tries to help posters out on the Forum the most with actual practical advice. I don’t see that from alot of the people who are the constant whiners and complainers. I started out on this site utilizing resources I needed from the Forum and for that I am grateful.
seriously – this is silly.
I admit – some days the OT is a bit much, but I think the burden is on Mr. B to provide topics which spark debate and discussion. The usual suspects will still post, and if there’s nothing worthy of discussion it will be off-topic.
Even the most inane banter I see on here is still more informed and interesting then what I see on Curbed/Gothamist on a daily basis.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you….
Well, since I am arguably one of the usual suspects, I think I can offer up limiting these very suspects to a set number of posts in any given thread. Too often, one person may make as much as 50% or more of the posts in a thread, it seems. Not sure what the magic number should be: 3? 5? It would force frequent posters to be more disciplined in their posts.
I think Open thread is fine as the place where the hard-core folks can talk among themselves, thus leaving the other threads on topic.
I also do think encouraging greater civility would be nice, but not sure of the effect on readership (some, I suspect, like it nasty).
“I though providing the “the snark and cynicism” was my job.”
It is Snark, you pay them no mind!