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
What “damage” caused by the registration requirement? We are all guest commenters, all completely anonymous, with the exception of those who registered under their own names. My real name is not Montrose Morris. I hope brownterds isn’t his or her real name either, for their sake.
Trolling aside, the worst part of guest comments was keeping the continuity in a conversation. People would have to state, “I’m guest at 9:45, not guest at 11:16”. Log in names give us distinct personalities, an easier way to keep track of who said what, and a degree of responsibility. Just like real life, and after all, many of the topics discussed here affect our real lives. Finance, quality of life, neighborhoods and the houses themselves are about as real as you can get.
Like Dave, I also don’t understand the animosity towards the Open Thread. When there are topics I’m not interested in, I don’t open them. You don’t like chitchat, then pass it by. I don’t see why those who do should be apologetic or sorry that they are taking their time to banter and chat with friends. If they/we are wasting time, if any of us are wasting time by being here AT ALL, we all possess the power to turn the computer off and walk away from it. Other than that, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
90% of the measures suggested thus far in this thread have been designed to limit the damage caused by the registration requirement.
Please bring back guest commenting.
I think part of the issue is anonymity of the poster allows them to
sometimes go off the deep end and engage in something other than fair comment and to act out in a manner that some would find to be rude . I understand even the reasoning behind allowing comments to be made anonymously its a balancing act. I also believe that when some one puts forth comments under their own name they might refrain from some conduct that they would not be to proud to have attributed to them.
I think maybe there should two separate areas for comment those that are out in the open posted by people who put forth comments under their own name and separate area for those who comment anonymously.
I personally in generally would tend to put a bit more interest and faith into people who actually disclose who they are. Not say I wouldnt read comments of those who post anonymously.. At times I get kind turned off but the sniping aspect and smallness of some of comments. Its Brooklyn and I guess you got to have some thick skin but I do believe that brownstoner could do more to improve its blog by putting some light on those that tend to hijack the discussion and turn it into a bitchfest. Maybe even some way of rating these commenters on credibility, rudeness, fairness so at least their comments come with a crowd sourced warning label. I know that a times I think I can provide valuable information or insight to a discussion and I dont I just back off because im turned off by the tone. Many times I just dont think the discussion is legitimate. It seems like a propaganda campaign rather than a fair discussion.
Maybe the government could step in. That seems to be popular these days. I’ll be watching for the President’s press conference.
Two important points have been made:
We have a good thing going.
A fresh topic or two at night or on weekends would be fabulous.
I think what I’m hearing as the biggest complaint is that a lot of people don’t want to deal with the cliqish community that tends to comment all day and beocme chldish. As far as i can see this pretty much is confined to the OT. Once in awhile there’s the usul; dustup in one of the other threads but if it becomes too off topic Mr. B. usually reminds the kids to take it to the OT. That has happened once in the last few months as far as I can remmember.
If you don’t want to be subject to this in the OT, it’s pretty simple…DON”T OPEN THE OT. It doesn’t need a separate tab. Maybe there should be a new warning added “Enter At Your Own Risk!”
Yes, a numberof the threads, by the nature of their subject, will devolve into race/class issues, rightly or wrongly and racist or not. Hopefully they will remain civil but realisticaly they probably will not. Tha is the nature of anonymous blogging.
Hey, Mr. B, et. al. – Haven’t read the rest of the thread, so forgive me if i’m redundant. I’ve participated in a few forums – some gaming (sheer savagery), slate.com (better). People make the online community they want, and it helps if there is some guidance from the organizer (you) that indicates you want that community. Saying so helps, some sort of policing/enforcement also helps. You gotta get out the banhammer sometimes, or delete comments (or move them), or close threads – there are a few ways to do it. It doesn’t have to be consistent or totally fair (your party) – just get the point across that certain types of play are not allowed here. We’ll take care of the rest.
It’s tough at first, but if you have a critical mass of people who want the kind of dialogue that you’re trying to encourage, then all you have to do is a little weeding around the edges.
I have been with you from day one and I for one am amazed at your success. I have posted under other names for which I have forgotten the passwords but it was easy enough to just create a new identity. I, like many others stated above, view almost daily but can only post in spurts because I work in the field and my workload can be heavy at times when I do return to my office. I often view at night around 6:00 or if I work late around midnight. For most of the threads that I view, everything that needed to be said has been said by the time I view so there is no real need for me to repeat it.
Shortly before you instituted the OT, I didn’t view or post because far too many of those posts were just assinine and I got tired of trying to filter through the BS. Some of those regular posters were like kids hanging on a corner harassing passers-by. The OT is one of the best things that you could have done. I don’t see the need for ratings or too many other changes at this point except maybe keeping the BS in the OT. It would also be nice to include the Brooklyn Historian Ron Schw? and maybe have a new thread in the evening for us night owls. Surely I can’t be the only one! Maybe by that time the lunatic but funny fringe have gone to bed. You might get a whole new community of late nighters.
I am not intimidated by the regulars and if I have something to offer from my unique perspective, I will. As far as those who are too intimidated to post – they need to join Dorothy and the crew in that trek on the yellow brick road to Oz to find either the heart, the nerve or the brain to do so. They are posting in anonymity, that is unless they are involved in some type of criminal activity in which case the NYPD’s TARU (Technical Assistance and Response) and/or MIS (Management Information Systems) Unit will find them out.
Well Covert Race/Class warfare means alot to me and I will continue to point out that crap. I was born and raised in Brooklyn. You want to live here and I think you have to take the bitter with the sweet. The Retards cannot have it both ways! Sometimes the comments are very disgusting to me and to think that some of you are walking past me in the street! (Not Lodi NJ)! I wonder what your neighbors would think if they knew what garbage that comes from your keyboards!
Whuh was right! 80% of you are iintellectual cowards!!!! Oh The What said this and that well like Dave said “Don’t read the post” or better yet don’t log on to Brownstoner! Go over to that P***ied site Brooklynian and have you little Asshat circle jerk.
Oh last thing to the hatters- it has something to do with my Ball sack….
The What
Someday this whining is gonna end…