brassblogs

Many people feel that moderation of comments of a blog (such as this) is bad practice, and is performed pretty much by people who believe themselves to be the end-all of correctness. Only people who love themselves and care nothing for other people’s opinions moderate the comments on their site. (This observation, anyway, is something I’ve seen in my years as a blog-reader and Twitterer, but I don’t have any direct references to such a belief – I wish I did!)

I do not agree with this.

I moderate. Yes, I delete comments. Yes, I approve comments and won’t allow them to be posted automagically.

Why?

Not because I’m an elitist snob who believes in her own self-importance. (If you know me at all, you’ll know this is the antithesis of my personality.) I do it because I want this place to be enjoyable to those who visit it – including me. After all, if I don’t like coming here, what makes me think anyone else will?

My philosophy on commenting is this:

1. If you say nothing more than “thank you” (or the like) you will be deleted.
No, I won’t mark you as spam but I will delete the comment. Why? Because I happen to know that many spammers count on a “first approval” commenting system – if you approve one comment, then anything else posted by that user is allowed without moderation – a spammer’s dream. All they have to do is get one by you.

I also think that comments left should have value to everyone who visits this site. Nothing more than a “thank you” just…has value to me. As much as I appreciate your acknowledgment that I’ve helped you, and as much as this site is about me, it’s not just about me. If you want to thank me, make it honest and constructive. Tell us all how it helped you.

2. If you’re a troll.
Nobody likes a troll. Now, I can say, in the past, I have allowed “troll” comments to stay. Why? Because… well hell if I know. But I don’t do it anymore. Troll-y comments are inflammatory, rude, degrading, mean, and venomous, to use a few select adjectives. They are not constructive at all, usually anonymous (and I hate anonymity – if you can’t own your own words, then you shouldn’t be saying them. You’re a coward.) and usually posted by someone who just wants attention – any attention. Trolls are the “abused kid of the school,” you feel sorry for them, but they beat up on everyone because they believe that’s how the world is. Acknowledging them just validates this belief.

Leaving “troll” comments here just brings down the site. Nobody likes to read bad-mouthing. It doesn’t bring anything to the table but negativity. And don’t get me wrong – if you disagree with me, but do it constructively, I will not view you as a troll. After all, if everyone agreed with everything…well this would be just a love-fest for Shelly, and that just makes you wanna puke.

Granted, there will be some comments that fall between the cracks – where the commenter does give value, but adds in questionable content. I’ll leave the comment, and remove the “questionable” material. I believe in giving the benefit of the doubt.

Those are pretty much my criteria for comment moderation. I do it because I want the integrity of this site to remain, I want it to have value to others, and I want people to enjoy the time they spend here. I don’t want it to turn into a mega link-farm fest, or a spammers haven. But don’t ever feel like I’m going to delete anything that I don’t agree with. I don’t agree with a lot. That doesn’t mean you have to agree with me, and in fact, I love having different opinions here. it starts good conversations, and who knows? Maybe I’ll learn something. Maybe you will.

Isn’t that the point?