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.