7 Commenting Takes

Ah, Friday. We have crawled our way out of February and veritably into the somber arms of Lent. With that in mind (Lent I mean), today, though it is not the most sparkling subject, I would like to talk about blog commenting—particularly on this blog. If you have ever commented, or think you might like to, this post is for you.

One
I, basically, love all of you who have ever commented. I am delighted you take the trouble and I am grateful that you go from just reading to engaging with what I’ve said, whether serious or ridiculous. Commenters here are interesting and basically respectful.

Also, I adore the little sign that says, “Good Job! You’ve moderated all your comments!”

Two
Lately some long interesting conversations have been taking place on a couple of posts. In some strange serendipity, I wrote about somethings current at that moment, and those posts got shared, and people commented and then started having long, protracted interesting conversations with each other—some of which are still going on, weeks later. This is pretty fantastic.

Three
Some of these conversations have become heated. As I see a conversation unfolding, I try to be quick to put up comments where two people are going back and forth at each other, even when both parties are becoming testy and are irritated. A little bit of name-calling has passed by my finger.

Four
But I am starting to have a line, and have started to delete some comments. Those are when you, dear beloved commenters, start being personal and mean. There is no reason to attack me personally. If you 100% disagree with what I’ve said—fine and good. Up your comment goes. But if you start saying things about me, I am not putting your comment up.

Five
Nor about other commenters. There’s no reason to be personal about the person you’re arguing with. Dripping mean sarcasm about another person’s character or intelligence won’t go up.

Six
And also, don’t call me a bad writer. You may be right, I may be terrible, but that’s not very nice. And if you don’t enjoy the writing, the internet is big and wide. No need to torture yourself reading a blog you hate. Your pointing out to me my literary deficiencies is not going to make me alter them. I know, we all like to do what we can to change the world, but your efforts on that front are falling on deaf ears. Pray for me instead of commenting if you think I’m that wretched.

Seven
That said, I do love the commenters who leap in the moment I’ve posted to point out how completely wrong I am. And I love the robust and interesting conversations that have gone on here the last six weeks. I am only very rarely able to engage myself (actually it’s probably never) but I have enjoyed reading the threads and seeing the twists and turns of statistics, and logic, and thought. In other words, thank you for commenting! I’m delighted that you’re here.

Happy Commenting! Do go read more takes!