No comments please?
How many times have you heard that pithy line uttered by public personalities when cornered by the press during their ‘time of shame’? I bet you must be wondering, those people must have a lot of things that could turn reporters’ ears red but they refrain from doing so in fear of incriminating themselves or lending credence to the rumors. Then blogs came along, and we could simply post a picture of that ‘defamed’ celebrity and see comments pour in. Of course, some people cross the line and free speech is a fine principle until someone yells “fire” in a crowded theater. But that doesn’t prevent us from speaking our mind, as my libertarian friends might agree. Charu examines the trends of blogs switching off their comments and wonders if they should be called blogs in the first place. Dina pitches in with her take too. If blogging objectives were found in a corporate report, it would read as following: weren’t blogs supposed to further ‘conversations’ and facilitate social communication? So what happened? Why are the bigger blogs switching off their comments and effectively making their blogs into mere one-way demagogic websites? Demagogic might be a bit harsh, but I will not necessarily agree with everything the authors have to say on their blogs and should have a space to disagree or sometimes even lend a supporting hand. The blog is theirs but the comments space is ours; I propose that we reclaim our space.
Instapundit and Boing Boing are notable blogs that do not facilitate comments but then again, they are literally weblogs i.e. a repository of links that lead elsewhere and do not necessarily reflect the author’s opinion. Slash Dot is one website known mostly for latest in tech news and; readers’ comments. Personally I don’t read SlashDot but my techie friends often point out to me some insightful comments.
On the desi front, Amit Varma of the India Uncut fame doesn’t solicit comments and instead requests his readers to email him (later even Gaurav Sabnis joined him) . He is quite prompt in his email replies too. He has switched off his comments due to abuse and spam (logical reasons to shut down comments) but as Yazad points out, abuse almost always makes a judgment on the perpetrator rather than the blog owner. Personally, I make it a point to respond to comments on my blog, even if it is a simple word of thanks. But on other bigger bloggers, I can understand that responding to comments might not be possible but nevertheless the commenting space is a great interaction space for bloggers and blurkers (blog lurkers). Check Alpha’s commenting board, if you don’t believe me. I could email the blog author saying what a great post that was but it is too much of a hassle. I rather drop in a couple of words (or couple of hundred) in the comment box.
The fastest way to get the word of your blog out there is to go commenting on other people’s blog (apart from self-nominating yourself on the Mela, of course). The only way to break into a blog network is to comment regularly on one of their blogs and not surprisingly, you soon are a part of the network. Blogs were always meant to be interactive; let us keep it that way. Are you listening, Amit?
Update: Amit promises to justify his no-comments policy in a longish post sometime soon. Coincidentally, Rhyncus has a similar post up today. It looks like Saket’s wish is coming true.
Update#2: Amit Varma has cross-posted his justification on Indicubed…with (gasp!) comments enabled. Interesting discussion already in progress there; I find myself vindicated. Sorry Amit, couldn’t resist that! :)


Pingback: Pajama Pundits
Pingback: .: a scripted life :.