I do the same. I also do that with YouTube videos that don't allow comments. No need for me to watch, then. If I hadn't already seen that PBS and NPR have become completely ideologically captured, their turning off YouTube comments would have driven the spike in. Turning off comments is like a declaration that one's channel is an echo chamber.
Yep, I do that on Youtube too. The thing is, as a creator on Youtube you can just put comments into moderation, so it gets sent through to you to be approved. Given that Youtube can be a pretty foul place, comments wise, that's an easy solution. Closing comments seems lazy and fragile to me.
Maybe I'm deranged but I like some trolls here and there. It's kinda like being exposed to dust or dander as a kid in the sense that ya need some of it to strengthen your systems as you move forward. A little practice inoculates you in some way. I think writers are morally obliged to allow comments, particularly writers writing controversial stuff. I read a note the other day from a writer I recognized from Medium, and she was bragging about blocking and reporting a fellow writer here, and my soul shivered.
Maybe? :P I am awfully tired of trolls tbh, but I do think you have to harden the fuck up if you're going to be a writer. If nothing else, I can always invent a few swear words to curl their toes.
Ironically, a comment on Medium made me think twice about the title for this piece, and I changed it from Closing Comments to Disabling Comments. Thanks, Blair :)
I feel like people who automatically block any constructive criticism or dissent may not be as confident in their beliefs as they appear and would definitely cower or run at the sight of any sort of criticism, seeing it as an attack on themselves. I wouldn't say that I leave it open season on my posts, I also definitely don't entertain trolls for too long, but I will have a healthy discussion in the comments section. Well done piece.
I rarely block anyone, but then, I’m not writing much lately and what I do write isn’t likely to attract trolls. If someone goes for the ad hominem attack, it’s over. I will happily debate with anyone as long as they keep it about the ideas and not disagreement based on their assumptions of who they perceive me to be. If they assume my ideas and arguments are invalid because of who I am (age, gender, socioeconomic level, race, religion or lack there of, etc.), they’ve already lost the argument. I block them out of kindness to prevent them from making a bigger ass out of themselves.
I often look at comments first to get a feel for, "is this going to be a waste of time?" Some n̶e̶w̶s̶ opinion pieces turn off comments knowing that the comments will be "I'm a [tribe goes here]" shibboleths, rather than reasoned feedback. Seeing that there are hundreds of comments also tells you that's what will be there. Interestingly, some of the best writers don't get many comments.
I do the same. I also do that with YouTube videos that don't allow comments. No need for me to watch, then. If I hadn't already seen that PBS and NPR have become completely ideologically captured, their turning off YouTube comments would have driven the spike in. Turning off comments is like a declaration that one's channel is an echo chamber.
Yep, I do that on Youtube too. The thing is, as a creator on Youtube you can just put comments into moderation, so it gets sent through to you to be approved. Given that Youtube can be a pretty foul place, comments wise, that's an easy solution. Closing comments seems lazy and fragile to me.
Maybe I'm deranged but I like some trolls here and there. It's kinda like being exposed to dust or dander as a kid in the sense that ya need some of it to strengthen your systems as you move forward. A little practice inoculates you in some way. I think writers are morally obliged to allow comments, particularly writers writing controversial stuff. I read a note the other day from a writer I recognized from Medium, and she was bragging about blocking and reporting a fellow writer here, and my soul shivered.
Maybe? :P I am awfully tired of trolls tbh, but I do think you have to harden the fuck up if you're going to be a writer. If nothing else, I can always invent a few swear words to curl their toes.
9 times outta 10 disabled comments suggests disabled emotional maturity.
Agree, it generally means thin skinned swallowing lots of Copium.
Ironically, a comment on Medium made me think twice about the title for this piece, and I changed it from Closing Comments to Disabling Comments. Thanks, Blair :)
Totally true. I quite often go to comment on some post I liked, and it says “only Paid subscribers can comment.”
“Your loss!” I think.
Good piece, but my problem is that people in the comments don't always agree with me.
Ridiculous. This is what's wrong with the world today.
I agree with you!
By the very act of disagreeing with you, they prove themselves unfit to comment. They deserve their fate.
I feel like people who automatically block any constructive criticism or dissent may not be as confident in their beliefs as they appear and would definitely cower or run at the sight of any sort of criticism, seeing it as an attack on themselves. I wouldn't say that I leave it open season on my posts, I also definitely don't entertain trolls for too long, but I will have a healthy discussion in the comments section. Well done piece.
Exactly! And hi there. nice to see you :)
I rarely block anyone, but then, I’m not writing much lately and what I do write isn’t likely to attract trolls. If someone goes for the ad hominem attack, it’s over. I will happily debate with anyone as long as they keep it about the ideas and not disagreement based on their assumptions of who they perceive me to be. If they assume my ideas and arguments are invalid because of who I am (age, gender, socioeconomic level, race, religion or lack there of, etc.), they’ve already lost the argument. I block them out of kindness to prevent them from making a bigger ass out of themselves.
Laughing, yep, I hear that :)
It's always helpful to have someone tell you when you're wrong. It can give you a new outlook on how to process your feelings on things.
Right, if they have valid reasons it's healthy to listen to them, you don't have to agree but should be at least open to arguments made in good faith.
I often look at comments first to get a feel for, "is this going to be a waste of time?" Some n̶e̶w̶s̶ opinion pieces turn off comments knowing that the comments will be "I'm a [tribe goes here]" shibboleths, rather than reasoned feedback. Seeing that there are hundreds of comments also tells you that's what will be there. Interestingly, some of the best writers don't get many comments.
Yes, I often quickly skim comments before reading a piece too, for exactly that reason.
Sometimes great thoughts and great conversations happen in the comments.
Also true :)