Ten years ago, “06880” made a big change.
After 4 years of a very free-wheeling “Comments” section, I pulled the plug on anonymous posts.
It was a while coming. A place where readers could share thoughts and insights had degenerated into a toxic free-for-all.
The flame-throwers — hiding behind the “free speech” veil — had turned off the vast majority of readers who wanted to hear what others were thinking and saying, and had the courage to say who they actually were.
So I added a new rule: no more anonymous comments. Everyone had to use full, real names.
No more trolls!
That announcement (click here) drew nearly 100 comments.
Almost all were positive. A few people predicted the end of “06880.”
The number of comments went down a bit, but soon rebounded. But instead of 2 or 3 bozos shouting at each other, “06880” became a spot for (mostly) civil conversations.
The dark spirits vanished. “06880” became lighter, freer.
Ten years later, some people are again taking advantage of the privilege of commenting. Sometimes, they feel the need to comment on everything — incessantly.
Other times, they make ad hominem attacks.
Or they hijack the narrative, adding side or irrelevant issues having nothing to do with the original post.
The “Comments” section should be illuminating, not aggravating.
A few days ago, David Loffredo commented: “The trolls will end this blog. Go outside, find a hobby, do something useful. Eventually Dan will give up – more and more these threads have become embarrassing.”
He’s right. It’s time for another change.
Starting right now, all comments must be germane to the topic.
If a post is about downtown parking, there’s no reason to bring in a town body or official who has absolutely nothing to do with it.
Unless the story is about Donald Trump or Hunter Biden, please don’t mention them.
You get the idea.
i spend an inordinate amount of time monitoring the Comments section.
Now it’s time for you to monitor yourselves. Before dashing off an inane or incendiary reply, ask yourself:
- “Is what I want to say meaningful? Does it enlighten and inform the conversation in town? Or am I just trying to be cute, ‘funny’ or obnoxious?”
- “Do I know what I’m talking about? Or am I just firing blindly from the hip?”
- “Have I said enough about this? Is what I’m saying advancing the discussion, or am I just repeating myself?”
What’s “germane”? As Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell Potter Stewart said about obscenity: “I know it when I see it.”
Offenders will be banned quickly.
And, while we’re speaking about comments: I’ve had it with the few (but persistent) readers who try to evade the “use full, real names” rule.
I stand behind everything I write. Nearly every commenter does too.
Have the decency to respect the rules.
Have the courage of your convictions.
Don’t ruin the Comments section for everyone. It’s a privilege, not a right.
And it might not be around forever.
Back in the day, people had to think before they wrote. That’s not a bad idea.
Though, certainly I will comply, I am surprised that you think comments have gotten out of hand…I actually have, for a long time, been impressed with the quality of 99% of the comments I’ve read. I hope that’s not due to low standards (or intelligence) I bring to the read.
It’s unfortunate that the time-suck of comment monitoring is the high price bloggers have to pay to ply their trade, but it makes a more interesting blog. This is one of only three blogs that I read regularly, and you’re the second one to implement this more rigorous monitoring.
On “I know it when I see it,” that was Potter Stewart, not Lewis Powell. The wikipedia article on the phrase quotes him saying “In a way I regret having said what I said about obscenity—that’s going to be on my tombstone. When I remember all of the other solid words I’ve written, I regret a little bit that if I’ll be remembered at all I’ll be remembered for that particular phrase,” and now it looks like he isn’t even remembered for that!
Iain beat me to it by ten minutes,,,
Obscenity Case Files: Jacobellis v. Ohio
Good Job.
Good call, Dan.
Good for you Dan! I love 06880 because I grew up in Westport at least through high school. There are those of us who love this blog because it is constructive and uplifting informative and to the point.
Good for you, Dan. Setting limits on what belongs in the Comment to an article. It’s like when you hear people commenting at a lecture or meeting. Some people just like to hear themselves speak (or write).
Thank you for everything you do, Dan.
Seems like a common-sense decision to me. Two thumbs up.
Oops, sorry about that typo,
It’s your creativity and your quality writing. You have the right to your rules
Dan, In 2012 you posted “Bowling with the Backiels.” Back then people didn’t have to leave their real name when commenting. There was a “Liz W” and “Wrecker” and I wish I knew who they were. Nothing negative was said, but I didn’t know who these people were.
Another commenter used the name “A Long Time Ago.” All the comments were positive and interesting, I just didn’t know who they were.
Thank you Dan, I hope this improvement opens the door for more people to comment (not debate) about your posts. I for one might comment more if I wasn’t concerned with someone commenting about me. Maybe that should be one more bullet point unless I missed something. Comment about Dan writes, not what the public writes.
Thanks, Janine. Commenting on other commenters is fine – that’s the point of a community conversation. But there’s a difference between “I understand what you’re saying, Janine; however, I think …” (acceptable) and “Janine, you are a stupid f—ing moron!!!!” (unacceptable),
Bravo. We’ll done!
I completely agree with your new policy. Giving people the opportunity to provide a comment on a posting does not carry with it an obligation to provide irrelevant commentary nor does it require irrelevant political statements.
Dan, first I applaud you for the enormous effort this takes. Second this policy change to YOUR blog is spot on. The 06880 community that surrounds the blog benefits greatly the opportunity to debate and communicate on topics both critical and whimsical. The trolls divert, distract, and steer our conversations off course. I come here almost every morning to start my day and am well rewarded for it. Thank you.
Bravo!
Dan, you are making the correct choice, keep it up and thanks for all your posts over the years
Hi Dan
A big thank you!! Your blog! Your call!
And- These three lines sound it perfectly!!
“Have the decency to respect the rules.
Have the courage of your convictions.
Don’t ruin the Comments section for everyone.
It’s a privilege, not a right.”
Well done Dan
Thanks Dan, I had stopped reading the comments.
and then I stopped commenting.
Now I can again.
Thank you! I remember when you posted “real names only, first and last”. Since then I’ve wondered at some of the obviously fake names. I like to know who I’m reading in comments.
Thank you, Dan
Thank you Dan. I thought having to put my name would be trouble as I worked at GFS and was happily commented on things I would never have using my namebut you graciously allowed me to email you instead with my comments until I retired. Then I jumped back in and told it like I saw it. Now I often write a comment and then delete it as I realize it only helps me and not the readers. Funny both submitting and deleting give me the same feeling of being heard. I thank you for all the years of letting my voice be heard, even if it was by you or nobody at all!
Good move Dan.
Ever the rebel, I’m now loudly and proudly breaking the rules by writing a comment that has nothing to do with how to play nice in the Comments section: Dan, you’re the absolute best. It’s been a delight knowing you since 1968, a pleasure reading your blog, and an honor supporting your efforts to keep the community in Westport and beyond informed.
Hah! i saw what you did there, Bonnie. Thank you!
And, though the statute of limitations has long since expired, I apologize for being an obnoxious 7th grader to you back at Long Lots Junior High, when we were all trying to figure out who we were. Come to think of it though, we still are.
Dan Woog an obnoxious 7th grader?? Impossible! We’re not that gullible!
Before sending a comment, the question should be ‘Is it true, is it necessary, is it kind, is it helpful?’Otherwise, keep it to yourself.
I like your new rules, Dan. They’re sane, reasonable and should keep comments on an even keel.
For me, a vibrant comments section is the heart and soul of any good blog. However, angry trolls tend to take over and ruin the discussion for everybody unless a responsible moderator is there to maintain focus and civility. This task is stressful and must feel thankless at times, but Dan is a master at it and I hope he’s able to stay the course.
06880 is a priceless community asset and would leave a big hole in all our lives were it ever to disappear.
It was kinda becoming Twitter….
Long before Elon got involved, Twitter started the long unravel, not because of the original post, but because of a small number of comments that followed.
Let’s not do that here, you have other platforms to vent your life’s frustrations.
Good idea, Dan! Let’s keep it constructive!
Rindy Please read my comments from 7:02 am and 7:11 am. They could be appropriate. Thank you.
I have never left a comment before. But I now ! Good for you Dan !!!!
Great call!!