Here’s what’s really bugging me right now: Comments. Comments in blogs, in particular. There are two aspects to this that bug me.
1. A good blog attracts comments. Lots of comments, if it’s any good. The better the blog, the more comments there are. The more comments there are, the longer they take to read — and because I have no desire or intention to read them, the more commments I am refusing to read. But because I want to treat other people’s writings with respect, including comments, I end up feeling guilty because I’m not reading their comments. But that’s not my fault! I did not write the really good blog, nor did I write the dozens (sometimes hundreds of comments). Yet there that are, and here I am.
(Of course, there’s that part where if I add a comment, it’ll just be lost in the mix and how is anyone going to know what brilliant thought I had on the subject? I ask you: Is that fair?)
2. Comments on things I write. Over at BlueOregon, I can turn off comments. I do not have to give permission to anyone who comes along and wants to add (if you can call it that) to my brilliant writing. I can make my piece stand-alone. But I don’t. I leave my pieces open to comments. I don’t have my choice, not if I honestly believe in democracy and free speech. Which I do.
But damn! Some of these people; what the hell are they thinking? I write about religion, and the next thing I know, these people are talking about guns! Dear God, can they not stay on topic? Isn’t that one of the things we lefties get so wrong: we can’t keep to a simple topic?
There is, in short, no quality control. Either you allow comments or not. Disallow them, and your enter the world of Rove. Allow them, and you can enter a world of pain.
If anyone bothers to read this and then bothers to comment — please, spare me irony.
I see you are new and welcome to the site. You might want to check out the Froggy bottom Cafe, a reg. feature of the site where we hang out and get acquainted and “tell each other about us.”
As to the comment question, I have this comment…I don’t think there is too much of a problem in that area on this site. I say read comments or not, don’t feel quilty, no one possibly can read them all. The diary is the primary thing, I would think. Yes they do get off topic, one diary of mine about rays of hope turned into a discussion of torture. But in the end, who really cares, but for the moment.
I think there is a feature on this site that does allow you to turn comments off.
I joined this site to have a voice. I found I did not have a voice on other sites. That voice is what was not in my life to make it happy and feel as if I was a productive person in politics for the most part. I read comments. It gives me thoughts as to add to my thoughts on things.
I do not comment on each diary. I do read them tho. That is what this is all about. if it strays off topic, then thre is a reason for this behavior. I have a burr under my saddle and I want it out.
Welcome to our site. Hope you stay and commnent with us on your thoughts. Everyones thoughts are important.