The comments
As always, we have our conflict with the comments section, which has always been an ongoing frustration.
Many people enjoy the comments, many don't. Many don't like anonymous comments but many anonymous comments are quite interesting. Some people tell me that they won't read the Grapevine if there are comments, although I always wonder what possesses them to click that "comments" button and read if they don't like them.
I read a lot of online publications and I honestly don't read the comments. I don't know why, maybe I just don't have the time.
When I changed the format and stopped anonymous comments, there literally were no comments for months! People couldn't figure out how to comment with the codes and all and the stories just lay there. Interestingly enough, when I post the stories to Facebook, there are plenty of comments because it's easy to do.
For a couple of years, I completely stopped the comments totally, but I do feel that they add to the stories.
So anyway, I am going to be moderating the comments more closely and the ones that are rude and don't add to the stories won't make it through. I try not to censor things, but some comments really are turning people off and they really are rude.
I can block a person's ISP and they won't know it, to them it appears as if their comment is going through, so please forgive me if your ISP is blocked by mistake, but let's be civilized here. I really am trying to be nice in my writing and that should really set the tone for intelligent conversation without the rude people butting in, who by the way, can't spell and don't know grammar. What's that Abraham Lincoln saying? "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
If the comments don't add to the conversation, they will be trashed.
Many people enjoy the comments, many don't. Many don't like anonymous comments but many anonymous comments are quite interesting. Some people tell me that they won't read the Grapevine if there are comments, although I always wonder what possesses them to click that "comments" button and read if they don't like them.
I read a lot of online publications and I honestly don't read the comments. I don't know why, maybe I just don't have the time.
When I changed the format and stopped anonymous comments, there literally were no comments for months! People couldn't figure out how to comment with the codes and all and the stories just lay there. Interestingly enough, when I post the stories to Facebook, there are plenty of comments because it's easy to do.
For a couple of years, I completely stopped the comments totally, but I do feel that they add to the stories.
So anyway, I am going to be moderating the comments more closely and the ones that are rude and don't add to the stories won't make it through. I try not to censor things, but some comments really are turning people off and they really are rude.
I can block a person's ISP and they won't know it, to them it appears as if their comment is going through, so please forgive me if your ISP is blocked by mistake, but let's be civilized here. I really am trying to be nice in my writing and that should really set the tone for intelligent conversation without the rude people butting in, who by the way, can't spell and don't know grammar. What's that Abraham Lincoln saying? "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt."
If the comments don't add to the conversation, they will be trashed.
posted by Tom Falco at 6:00 AM
YOU MAY NOT LIFT THE PHOTOS & TEXT. IT'S COPYRIGHTED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. YOU CAN HOWEVER SHARE A STORY ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY USING THE LINKS HERE.
For linking to this one story, just click on the time it was posted & just this story will open for sharing - only through social media. Not copying and pasting.
7 Comments:
HI grape
ive been reading your blog for years and i comment alot some you post some you dont.but i can assure you the day you block my comments i will never go back on your site and im sure alot of people wont either comments are more poular than blogs nowadays.dont let people tell you difrent.
First off I would Ike to thank you for taking the time and for taking on the headaches and slippery slope of editing the comments.
There is commenting with facts or opinion or sharing of personal stories to back up opinion and then there's YouTube comments. Your blog, thankfully, tends toward the former.
I think the anonymous choice is important to avoid reactions and opinions about the comment maker as opposed to the content of the story. Whether for good or bad, people are more likely to give their true opinion or ideas if they are not held accountable. Peer pressure is a powerful tool and most would rather keep their mouths closed than endure the stigma of standing up for an unpopular position.
Look at the hell that that State Trooper had to put up with when she pulled over a Miami cop for speeding. Look at what happened to the Dixie Chicks when they stood against the US going to war. Look at what happened to people in the 1950's and 60's when they said all humans have equal rights no matter their skin color. Look at what's happening around the country today to people who think that you should be able to marry who you love regardless of sex, religion or skin color.
Being able to speak freely and without fear of persecution allows for open and honest discourse.
There is a reason that when we vote in this country it is anonymous.
That being said, there are an abundance of mouth breathers out there who should be relegated to YouTube only. Thank you Grape for volunteering to adjust the signal to noise ratio. :)
Comments are meant to be just that, simple commentary on the issues (stories) at hand. Anonymous commenting allows for local and longing groveites to express themselves in a simple way without having to put a spotlight on themselves or their family. Let's be honest, we live in a judgemental society and I do not want to be judged by the guy I see at Fresh Market every week simply because I feel a certain way about a cause, a street revamping, or something as simple as a food review.
For example...Do you want Marc Sarnoff knowing that you disapprove of his hi-tech security cams pointing right into a local park? Would he be thrilled to know that we know he can see and hear ALL of the gossip that nannies and patrons spew about locals? Would somebody in that kind of power position not take that into consideration if you went up against him and one of his proposals? Retaliation can be a scary thing at times if it's done by a person who make a serious change for you and your family.
The CGGV comments are a reflection of the people who make up this community more than the blog itself. While the blog can express the views and tastes of the editor, with all due respect, the comments produce information many other residents simply can not get elsewhere.
Anonymous commenting, although ripe with less desireable opinions at times, allows the good and bad of our community to be brought to light without repercussion. If you refuse to read the CGGV because of the comments then maybe you should try walking around our village and taking into account that you are not the only race, ethnicity, business, family, or citizen on the block. There are MANY opinions out there and some are just never going to be alike in opinion to yours.
I say leave commenting the way it is currently.
Anonymous.
I assume the first anonymous poster has never heard of the saying by Lincoln that you quoted!spell check.. spell check..spell check !
Grapevine has made the right choice all along that is why it is the best blog not only in Coconut Grove also probably all the way up there in all of Cyberspace, it is top notch independent journalism, what internet is meant to do at its best. Grapevine in allowing Anonymous comments again has made the right choice, I like the editor's no-nonsense direct no-fear focus on the subject.
Not my intention. I'm just not about to feed trolls who needlessly post pointless "comments" on a story that have nothing to do with the subject matter of the story at all.
Disagreeing commentary can be educational, fun, and interesting.
Pointless trolling for attention is just that, and I find it sad that anyone needs to seek attention that way, but still refuse to give into the temptation to respond.
There's always this: http://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/plugins/comments/
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