For a long time I've allowed anyone even anonymous posters to freely post comments on this site. However that doesn't seem to be working so well.
With Wordpress you can see IP addresses and other info; however an anonymous Blogger comment without using any third party allows anonymous posters to remain completely anonymous.
It's just a known fact that in a completely anonymous environment safe from any social repercussions people will inevitably start saying mean or stupid stuff. Point in case: YouTube comments. Good lord they're the stupidest comments ever. I don't even bother reading them for that matter.
This brings me to another point. When anyone DOES try to leave a constructive or encouraging comment on this site, there are a select few individuals who try to unnecessarily rip them apart JUST because they were nice towards me. That isn't fair at all, and quite annoying to most people. A personal attack on me is fine, but don't spill that over to others.
While stupid comments are sometimes entertaining, they don't provide any growth value and actually stifle more intelligent remarks.
So now above the comment field it now reads:
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I ask that if you would like to leave a comment that you think of this website as my family's home and that you wouldn't say anything on this site that you wouldn't, as an invited guest, say in someone's home. Constructive criticism is welcome, as we all benefit from such advice. Rude, mean, or obnoxious comments are not welcome and will not be approved to post (that's me, gently escorting the misbehaving guest out of the house). Please restrict your comments to the topic at hand, for the benefit of all who may be reading.
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That quote was taken from an article written by Elise Bauer. I couldn't have said it better myself. I've also turned on comment moderation so comments will not be immediately posted. I don't care if negative things are said, but any plainly ignorant attacks or rude posts will no longer be welcome.
Leaving an anonymous comment to me is like driving in your car, yelling something mean to a person on the sidewalk and driving off. You only do it because you KNOW they can't catch you or figure out who you are.
If you were face to face with them, you'd never say something like that.
So to conclude: Don't be a jackass.
Saturday, December 08, 2007
9 comments:
Please restrict your comments to the topic at hand, for the benefit of all who may be reading. Thank you!
-Neville
NevBlog Comment Policy.
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Excellent policy and expectation!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a god idea to me Nev. You have a lot more patience than I do. I think I would have done this LONG ago.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the interesting posts!
Great post. I can't agree with you more. So much negativity is really the downfall of the internet. You hope as the Internet matures people will start to use some sort of real world etiquette. We can only hope.
ReplyDeleteGood policy Nev - I'll keep that idea in my back pocket in case I ever get an unruly bunch posting on my blog.
ReplyDeleteSeems to make sense. I've been visiting your blog for more than a year now and haven't really paid much attention to the comments as they are always random...
ReplyDeleteI Just start my own blog and my first comment was some random soliciation - so I feel your pain, haha
My Blog -
Journey to early retirement on Martha's Vineyard
I had the same problem once with one of my sites. I made a controversial post as linkbait and it backfired. I got very mean comments in my blog for about a month and that is all I could take. I decided to start moderating comments, much like Nev is attempting to do. In my case this was a big mistake. The criticism quickly left my site and appeared on third-party websites... the criticism was no longer under my direct control. I regret my decision.
ReplyDeleteThis is one of the best and down to earth policies that I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteI filter my comment by hand. :X Small blog like maybe 50 impression a day. ( www.romanadvice.com ) sorry about the shameless plug
As I said before this is good stuff.
ReplyDeleteI put a long post on my site in May about Blogging Responsibly. I keep adding thoughts to it and I will republisk. I Would be interested in your feedback
"The IFRS Exorcist"
I really like your comment policy. I think I will have to apply also comment held moderation because there are just so many people who are jackass. Hehehehe...
ReplyDeleteI love your blog!