Even though my blog has been gathering cobwebs for a minute, I still frequent other people's blogs in my free time, and occasionally someone will link to something or make a comment that spurs me to click on another site. More often then not, I stumble upon blogs that interest me, but my biggest pet peeve (well, second to excessive typos) is a lack of moderation that makes the comments section a shitshow.
I'm probably overly critical, but I see no point in writing about "hot" or "controversial" topics, as most of the blogs that interest me do, and then letting your comments be a free-for-all, especially when commenters violate rules that you set in the post. I'm most skeptical of so called social justice/activism blogs, which bring out more kooks than some radically offensive websites--if you care that much about being a safe space/counteracting negative media/blah blah blah, shouldn't you start with your own space?
I don't think any of the blogs I'm referencing care about my opinion of their moderation policies (if you're reading this, I'm pretty certain you are not on that list), but I think this trend is a staple of basic etiquette that's been missing lately on the "new" blogs I've stumbled upon.
What are your thoughts? Am I asking too much, or is anyone else annoyed by good blogs with crappy commenting sections?
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9 comments:
I know EXACTLY what you mean! I notice this in many blogs that fall within a certain themes ( themes I refuse to be part of), and I've stopped commenting because I don't want to look like a fool with the others. However, I must admit...it's good entertainment when you want to add a little drama in your life, LOL! I now just read the posts and move on without viewing the comments.
I waited to comment on this because I thought I had a lot to say...
I think there is a fine line between allowing productive discussion and allowing mayhem. Productive discussion is good: various perspectives and experiences are put forth that enrich the post and really make the post and blog what it is. But some bloggers, in their attempt to create discussion (or sometimes buzz/controversy), cross over the line into mayhem.
Now, it's difficult to be a blogger. Many times, if you explicitly tell someone that their comments are out of line, they will accuse you of dictating and taking sides. So I can be forgiving if a few discussions on a blog get out of hand, but if it's a regular thing it might be time for the blogger to set some ground rules to be enforced regularly.
As far as certain blogs, I just thought their goal was a mudslinging since it happens so often and the owner will be right there while it happens.
I think I know what you mean, though the sites I visit (even those with bad moderation) aren't that bad. I mean, they don't feel like the owner is not paying any attention.
I guess some people can't tell a difference between a blog and a message board. Still, if there's a comment policy, everybody should stick to it, including the blog owner.
I don't deal with controversial themes, and even when I do, the number of my readers/commenters is small, so I never had any problems with moderation (and I don't moderate comments, except for the first time people post).
PS-Glad to see you're back! I missed you :)
Alee,
Definitely a good point about fine lines. I think it depends a lot on the intention of the blogger as well. The majority of my criticism is aimed at so-called "activist" blogs, because if you purport to be saving the world and all that you would think you wouldn't be so sloppy. But I also know that my unspoken "my house, my rules" philosophy leaves a lot of bloggers with a bad taste in their mouths. What I find ironic is that the bloggers that like to say they are the most democratic (to which I say, really? It's a blog, not a national convention) tend to be made up of the biggest pushovers who either a) aren't really sure of their blog "voice" or b) are looking for drama for pageview's sake (ahem, no names :-P).
Mira,
Most sites I visit with bad moderation tend to have trolls/flamers/spam all rolled up into one, and as you can guess, nothing turns me off more than an ad for Viagra in the middle of the page.
I don't think there's anything wrong with controversy (being no stranger to it myself :-P), but it is pretty silly (and diminishes a person as a blogger, in my eyes) to try to be a big bad in your posts and then leave the comments a hot mess.
P.S. Don't count your chickens! School starts soon, so I might disappear again. :-)
More often then not, I stumble upon blogs that interest me, but my biggest pet peeve (well, second to excessive typos) is a lack of moderation that makes the comments section a shitshow.
This. And it's one of the reasons why I don't tolerate a lot of bullshit at Ars Marginal. I make it very clear the types of behaviors that are and are not welcome in my virtual house.
I'm not really into thought policing (although from time to time it's good to have an example of what NOT to do), but derailing the entire purpose of the blog gets real old real fast.
Speaking of kooks, I notice that "controversial" blogs like Ars Marginal tends to draw trolls, bullies, stalkers (virtual and IRL), and harassment like shit draws flies. Although I don't owe anybody anything (not even the time of day, let a lone a response), I do feel responsible for making sure that my guests don't feel threatened or harassed in my space. Y'know, like a good host.
The ironic thing is that this seems to be making me more unpopular with the online social justice crowd than with virulent bigots. Judging by their behavior, stalking, harassment, and bullying are all OK as long as you're on the Right Side of things.
Um, yeah.
Hey RVCBard,
Congrats on Tulpa! I'm broke otherwise I would've come to NYC to see the play. (My close friend who lives in Brooklyn is moving to Tokyo next month, so I won't be seeing her for awhile. :-( )
Ars Marginal was one of the blogs I thought of when I was writing this post, since you straight up say "Act like you got some home training." (And rightfully so.)
The ironic thing is that this seems to be making me more unpopular with the online social justice crowd than with virulent bigots. Judging by their behavior, stalking, harassment, and bullying are all OK as long as you're on the Right Side of things.
I wonder why that is, though I have my suspicions--I think some bloggers like the trolls because they make them (the bloggers) look more righteous by default. But I could be totally off base here.
Jasmin,
Most sites I visit with bad moderation tend to have trolls/flamers/spam all rolled up into one
Oh, spam is a clear sign that site is not moderated at all. It practically begs to be flammed/trolled, and it makes you wonder why would you comment on those sites.
Don't count your chickens! School starts soon, so I might disappear again. :-)
Oh, well. RL and its complications. :P
Mira,
Well, I'll be at school setting up at some point tomorrow, so I'll try to at least show some pictures of my classroom and such. :-)
Can't wait for the pictures!
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