Hey all, I’d like to take a time out from the world of publishing to discuss a blog community matter. Town hall meeting! I’ll bring the gavel if you bring the crazy guy who wants to open up the park for deer hunting.
A few weeks back the Ethicist Blog discussed the issue of anonymous commenting.
Ever since I had to close anonymous comments myself a few weeks back due to a single anon (they’ve since been re-opened), I’ve been toying with the idea of permanently closing anonymous commenting.
Here’s the thing – there are absolutely people who use the anonymous function responsibly, whether because they don’t feel like signing in or because they are writing about something sensitive.
But at least 95% of the rude comments on the blog come come from people using the anonymity irresponsibly, saying things they probably wouldn’t say if they signed their actual name. And sometimes these comments can get an otherwise good discussion seriously off track.
I’m wondering what you think – do you like having the option of going anon if necessary? Do you think it adds to the discussion to have people politely registering their anonymous comments? Should we just ignore the few bad apples?
Or would you prefer that people sign their own name?
And if we do keep anonymous options open, what should be the criteria for comment deletion?
I’m not too worried about a few bad apples and definitely don’t take the anons personally, it comes with the territory, but at the same time, it’s important to me that the comments section be a place where good, respectful discussions can take place.
Thanks, everyone!
Even a bear of very little brain can do it.
The advantage of having an account is that if you change your mind about something you posted, or think it might be taken the wrong way, you can always come back and delete it.
But if you post without an account, you can't.
Because changing my mind is what Tiggers do best!
Ack! That was a mistake… and now I can't delete it. I accidentally moved the mouse too fast and clicked "Anonymous" instead of "Name/URL" to enter Tigger.
See what I mean?
Get a life, people!
Is possible to turn off the anonymous comments for one week and see what happens to response levels ?
Not sure if you read response notes a day or days later
Keep anonymous open. I don't have a blogger account. I like reading your posts, and sometimes I like to comment, but I don't really want to have to create a blogger account just to comment.
–Hoogly
You don't need a blogger account to post comments with a name. Just use the "name/url" option under the comment box, as previously mentioned.
You don't need a blogger account to post comments with a name. Just use the "name/url" option under the comment box, as previously mentioned.
I've had a few people leave very rude and/or insulting comments on my blog and they are always "anonymous." My way of thinking is, if you're going to be big and bad enough to insult me, be big and bad enough not to hide like a little wuss. I vote for getting rid of it.
Why would you be afraid to say who you are unless you thought what you had to say was controversial? My name is Kim. And I have an opinion. And it's my right to have that opinion.
Sorry to weigh in so late.
My vote is against anonymous comments. I think the quantity would go down but the quality would improve.
I'm guilty of bouncing between two profiles (my "anonymous" Purple Clover and my real one with limited details that I'm signed in now). But I still try to own up to my comments either way.
Purpleclover (Jenn)
In all honesty, I also question how many anonymous comments are posted by the same person…
You may be responding to several comments from the same person and wasting your time if its argumentative. I've seen you do it before and every time I thought…hmm I wonder if its the same person just trying to get your goat? 😉
PurpleClover (Jenn)
Personally, I don't have an account on Blogger, but I always use my name and website so it's not anonymous. If you choose to take away the ability to post anonymously, I'd still use that option–if available.
I feel that if you can't stand behind what you're saying, then you really have no business saying it in the first place. And if you're using a "pen name" (as I am), then create an online presence that USES that pen name! I've got my "real" accounts and "pen" accounts all over the place. If you're committing to that name, then commit to it.
Really, I don't see a valid reason to keep anonymous posts except sheer laziness.
Well, that's my two cents…do I get any change back? 😉
-Daniel Allen
Aside from the civility issue, the problem with anonymous comments is distinguishing the different authors. So if the anonymous option is kept, perhaps the anonymous posters could be assigned numbers–solely for the comments on a particular post. That way if Anon 17 is disagreeing with Anon 23, we can at least follow the argument. As it is, we're already using times to distinguish a post by a particular Anon. The comments would gain some coherence if there was some way to distinguish different Anons.
Spectacular.
Anonysaurus