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
I don’t know what the answer is but I rarely read comments any more because of the same few commenters. I get the feeling that they are lonely shut-ins. Why do they need to post multiple times on every item. Do you need to make 6 comments on a house in a neighborhood you have never visited and when you have nothing to add.
Mr. B…I think it WAS randolph whom you are referring to. randolph’s first post that elicited the beatdown was similar to her post up above. It was all in good fun actually and we invited her to the party at the end because we needed a real “pathetic loser” there 🙂
Was the beat down on randolph? Who comments only to call other commenters “pathetic losers?” See 10:55am above.
What about limiting each commenter to a certain number of comments each day? Or to a certain number for each post?
I’ll get my virtual ass kicked for this, but how about politely requesting all the “usual suspects” to shut up for a week (or, much more fun and sinister-sounding–just banning them for a week). I don’t comment that often, but I’d be happy to pipe down for a week. I’m not advocating a permanent silence. I’m simply asking for an experiment. It would be interesting to see how things go down for that one week. Hell, make it two weeks.
Of course, the truth about most blogs is most lurkers remain lurkers regardless, because it is their nature to lurk … and the loudmouths and sarcastic jerks do end up having quite a bit of useful information. I wonder if comments would be deadly quiet without the usual suspects … even at the end of two weeks.
If they are still quiet, the usual suspects have a point. If you end up seeing an uptick in comments and a whole bunch of fresh voices, maybe the usual suspects would find it in themselves to at least acknowledge that maybe, possibly, their sarcasm, attacks and tone are indeed scaring people away. Hell, maybe they’ll change just a little. But I doubt it.
“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? ”
Eh I have a suggestion… How about shutting it down?
“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. ”
Aaawwww Call the Wambulance!!!!
“what do you think we can/should do to elevate the quality of discussion and make newcomers feel more welcome?”
“t’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,”
I need a rag to clean coffee off the walls!
Brownstoner, Brownstoner you sound like King Nebakanezer after reading the writing on the wall. You need to pull you head out of your ass, get out and interact with the people in your neighborhood, Then come back and write your blog! That would be a fresh start!
The What
Someday this war is gonna end…
How about topics on Brownstones?????????? Hey that’s a nice concept! Instead of Covert Race/Class warfare nonsense.
“We’d be particularly interested to hear from some folks who usually hang back on the sidelines.”
Eh Brownstoner Over here! Remember me you homeboy “The What”! You know NY Mag and the Crash Caller of ’08!
Maybe just the fact of your post this morning will clue people in. There are days when I wonder why the peripheral comments that barely relate to a given topic aren’t shuttled over to the OT – such as the ad hominem indulgence of aesthetic opinions when someone’s asked a perfectly innocent question.
Another Brownstoner event might help, too, since people who have bonded aren’t as hostile (or are embarrassed when their anonymity is lessened). Perhaps outdoors when the weather’s more reliable.
No Comment
quote:
I find it ironic that probably the single biggest reason I don’t engage more in the comments was the first person to comment on this thread.
if that’s the case, ill slowly back away. sorry you feel that way.
*rob*