Washington Post Editor Defends Anonymous Unmoderated Comments
from the good-for-him dept
When it comes to major media properties (and even quite a few blogs these days), it seems that "moderating" comments has become the norm. However, it's surprising (though, refreshing) to see a Washington Post editor speak up in defense of unmoderated and anonymous comments, which the Washington Post allows:I believe that it is useful to be reminded bluntly that the dark forces are out there and that it is too easy to forget that truth by imposing rules that obscure it. As Oscar Wilde wrote in a different context, "Man is least in himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth."What's most impressive is that this comes from a guy who wasn't just opposed to such things originally, but was opposed to the whole concept of "blogging." When he finally relented to blogging, he was adamantly against unmoderated comments... but the more he's seen, the more he's realized the value in them:
Too many of us like to think that we have made great progress in human relations and that little remains to be done. Unmoderated comments provide an antidote to such ridiculous conclusions. It's not like the rest of us don't know those words and hear them occasionally, depending on where we choose to tread, but most of us don't want to have to confront them.
I have come to think that online comments are a terrific addition to the conversation and that journalists need to take them seriously. Comments provide a forum for readers to complain about what they see as unfairness or inaccuracy in an article (and too often they have a point), to talk to each other (sometimes in an uncivilized manner) and, yes, to bloviate....We have always felt that way about comments. While they can be frustrating and ridiculous at times, they are also incredibly educational and entertaining. And, the most ridiculous stuff of all is quickly dismantled by others. That said, it doesn't mean that there aren't ways to improve the commenting experience without necessarily moderating or banning anonymous commenters. We're working on some things here that we'll be rolling out in the near future to hopefully continue to improve the overall commenting and discussion experience.
In fact, comment strings are often self-correcting and provide informative exchanges. If somebody says something ridiculous, somebody else will challenge it. And there is wit.... Comments also tell us that readers do not always agree with journalists about what is important.
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Filed Under: anonymity, comments, moderation
Companies: washington post
Reader Comments
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HAHAHHAHAHA
I think someone's ears are ringing...
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Near future improvements...
I take this to mean you've figured out how to block Weird Harold??
Just kidding, of course... :-)
SC
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Comment Rating System
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Feature Request
But if the troll-button gets pushed 5 times, the troll should be banned for 5 days or something.
Keep it as simple as possible.
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Re: Feature Request
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"Troll Button" Folly
Any "Troll Button" would be worthless to those who run sites, and that is precisely why you won't be seeing them any time soon, or ever.
Further, I find comments like "We're working on some things here that we'll be rolling out in the near future to hopefully continue to improve the overall commenting and discussion experience." to be mildly disturbing (not to mention sickeningly sweet-toothed), because they hint that those who run this site are toying with the idea of trying to control discourse on this site.
That will reduce value and cause many to look elsewhere, infinite goods being what they are...
Hoist with your own petard, Mike? I hope not.
CBMHB
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Change will do you good
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Re: Change will do you good
I can tell which way the wind is blowing, and mostly it's going to put the good ship "FREE!" up on the rocks.
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yes, of course, I forgot its WEIRD HAROLD...
Yep, those newfangled ideas people have....they will NEVER work! I mean, really, a HORSELESS carriage? Have you ever heard of such nonsense? No one would EVER attempt something so new, so risky, so...so....DIFFERENT from what we have now! Why, horses are natural! They are cheap, abundant (and renewable!) transportation. They serve all our current needs, so why bother trying to replace them with anything? Especially something so new and untried, something that requires an entirely new way of doing things, and entirely different infrastructure to accomplish. Why, its FOLLY! FOLLY I say! It will NEVER catch on, I dont know why people put so much effort into creating NEW WAYS to do things! MY land, its just such a waste of time, it makes me want to throw my hands in the air and just give up!
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Re: yes, of course, I forgot its WEIRD HAROLD...
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Re: Re: Change will do you good
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Re: Re: Re: Change will do you good
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Change will do you good
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Notifications
Oh god, please let it me e-mail notifications of updated threads. I'd start creating an account in the first minute that feature was made available. It'd be very nice to be able to get a notification either when a post was made to the entire discussion or to any particular post that an individual makes.
Without this kind of notification system, threads die out way too soon because people don't have the patience of will to check back to see if someone replied to their post. If I "dismantle" someone's idiotic comment (or try to) I want to at least feel like there's a possibility that I'll get a reply if I'm posting to a story that's no longer in the five most recent. As it is now, if a story gets too far away from the top, I'll skip posting a reply because of the increased odds no one will even see it. Personally, I think adding some kind of notification system would breath new life into the Techdirt comments.
(Oh, and make the threaded view the default!)
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Re:
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Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Change will do you good
That being said, that first comment about which way the wind is blowing does look exactly like something you'd post.
You may have a secret admirer. :P
The only way to stop such things would be to have us all make accounts to post with a "name".
Not that I'm against it, mind you.
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Just my 2cents worth
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DRM for Commenters
Look, think of it as DRM for comments. I have the right to my identity, and TechDirt has the obligation (and right-minded intention, as I understand) to provide that DRM for me and all other commenters.
I think it's a beautiful idea who's time has come, and I'm gratified that TechDirt sees it the same as I and all other legitimate commenters do.
Finally, some common sense.
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Re: "Troll Button" Folly
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Re: DRM for Commenters
2) There is nothing stopping you from filing a libel lawsuit and trying to convince a judge to give you discovery powers to find out who these posters are. I hope I got the legal terms right, but I think you get my point. If we all had to register to post, the situation wouldn't be any different anyway, it's not like you would have our social security numbers and home addresses.
3) Techdirt has absolutely no obligation to you or any of the rest of us. If you don't like how their web site is run, you are free to leave.
4) What makes you think they see anything the same way that you do?
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Re: Notifications
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Re: DRM for Commenters
That's pretty funny, coming from an anonymous poster.
What's wrong with me being able to identify some asinine poster and even possibly bring charges of libel against him if need be?
So what's wrong with you revealing your identity?
Go ahead...
Yeah, that's what I thought.
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Anonymous Comments
I will add that TechDirt is the only journalism I always read.
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Hmm..
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test
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free live bp feeds all 12
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Haier HC125FVS - 125-Can Beverage Center, Black
http://www.squidoo.com/haier-hc125fvs
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amazing rare dual waterspouts in honolulu
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5BGql-Lzl8
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py8@live.fr
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Unmoderated Comments
I will have to consider doing this on my sites as well.
Duncan
bkloste@gmail.com
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an unmoderated comment
This email was created using 'SMS MMS to Email' Application
To : Other
Date : 2:48am, 1/3/2013
We still in no speakee mode? If not I hear the ((location)) is a fun mtg.
From : Other
Date : 2:49am, 1/3/2013
Wait new phone, who's this?
To : Other
Date : 2:49am, 1/3/2013
((me))
To : Other
Date : 2:50am, 1/3/2013
Can confirm if needed
To : Other
Date : 2:51am, 1/3/2013
First and last digit of pin are same
From : Other
Date : 2:55am, 1/3/2013
You made the worst decision anyone can make, you took the fucking car, lied about it, I
missed my friends funeral, and made my life a fucking hell. You need
From : Other
Date : 2:55am, 1/3/2013
help bro, and nobody does that shit and thinks its okay. No, you crossed the line, we are
no longer friends, I don't trust you for shit and if you talk to me
To : Other
Date : 2:55am, 1/3/2013
Yeah, thought so. You replied too fast.
From : Other
Date : 2:55am, 1/3/2013
creep
To : Other
Date : 2:56am, 1/3/2013
Hi, GTA.
From : Other
Date : 2:56am, 1/3/2013
again or come around me I promise that you not only will regret it but serious consequences
will follow. How dare you contact me. Loose my number, stay out
From : Other
Date : 2:56am, 1/3/2013
You're a real lying son of a bitch. Leave me alone
From : Other
Date : 2:57am, 1/3/2013
of my life, and turn yourself into the police because they want you and have a warrant out
looking for you. Leave me alone
To : Other
Date : 2:57am, 1/3/2013
You also type too fast.. protested macros?
To : Other
Date : 2:58am, 1/3/2013
Dude, you're trying to con a linguist.
To : Other
Date : 2:59am, 1/3/2013
Watch out or I'll call you out for stealing her phone.
From : Other
Date : 3:02am, 1/3/2013
creep
To : Other
Date : 3:02am, 1/3/2013
All you have is ((number)) letters purporting who I claim to be. I have matching sentrnce
structures, improbable time of day, and you accepted a lie as proof this is ((me)).
To : Other
Date : 3:05am, 1/3/2013
Nice try dude. Go ahead and try to assault me. I hear it goes nicely with theft as proof
you are 'recovering'.
From : Other
Date : 3:06am, 1/3/2013
Psycho
To : Other
Date : 3:06am, 1/3/2013
Have a great night. So far you've made mine.
From : Other
Date : 3:07am, 1/3/2013
People as crazy as you should kill themselves to save their family from embarrassment.
From : Other
Date : 3:07am, 1/3/2013
Panty wearing freak
To : Other
Date : 3:09am, 1/3/2013
Gods, could you hang yourself more thoroughly?
From : Other
Date : 3:10am, 1/3/2013
Hey,I see you often and now you've taken it too far. You will regret you actions. I know
much more about u and your wife as well as others so if you want to
From : Other
Date : 3:10am, 1/3/2013
regret what you're doing and stocking a young girl who felt sorry for your creepy ass then
it's time u move on. Keep moving. Nobody wants
From : Other
Date : 3:11am, 1/3/2013
you
To : Other
Date : 3:11am, 1/3/2013
Yeah? Prove it. First digit of my address in Richmond.
To : Other
Date : 3:12am, 1/3/2013
You don't even have that much.
From : Other
Date : 3:12am, 1/3/2013
You're a pathetic looser and your a lying cock dreamer who dresses is panties You're
confused and lost and will be alone forever. Have a good night and
From : Other
Date : 3:13am, 1/3/2013
regret this fag boy
To : Other
Date : 3:14am, 1/3/2013
Oh I will have a *great*.night. ((Other)) will get a great laugh.
From : Other
Date : 3:14am, 1/3/2013
remember, you should end the hell you're in. Do everyone a favor. Leave us alone, move on
stocker and die alone. Fuck you and watch your back. You will
To : Other
Date : 3:17am, 1/3/2013
Watch your own. Wanna know the fun of FB? Friend of friend hacking plus cloud storage.
To : Other
Date : 3:17am, 1/3/2013
Gotcha.
To : Other
Date : 3:18am, 1/3/2013
Out of your league, kid. Nite. Sweet nightmares.
From : Other
Date : 3:18am, 1/3/2013
Oh... I see you sissy, I saw you at ((location)) the other day. Schizophrenic homo..., you
started this and I told you disappear. '((Other))' thinks you're a lying creep
From : Other
Date : 3:19am, 1/3/2013
panty lover. You stole, you lied and in you're sick head you think she likes you and your
friends. She hates you retard. She hates you so much. Get on with
From : Other
Date : 3:20am, 1/3/2013
ur life and forget this part never happened. She knows you're sick. She knows you are a
problem. She hates you and never wants your queer ass in her life.
To : Other
Date : 3:23am, 1/3/2013
Please. Laughing too hard. This is so going online. Oh wait, you don't know my WordPress
addy. Good luck Googling on queer and panties.
From : Other
Date : 3:25am, 1/3/2013
Psycho fag, get a life and move on.
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