Preparing to launch a “flame”.
A couple of things have happened this week that has made me look at this blog just a bit differently than in the past.
- I’ve had to ask for help for the very first time in moderating comments as I’ve run out of hours in the day. Thanks Jeez.
- I’ve had one of the most stressful weeks ever in trying to juggle all the workload with this blog, including a wildland fire that has made 5 of my 6 employees absent today. The phones are quiet at the moment and nothing had broken (yet) in our 50 or so servers.
- The realization that I’m going to have half a million unique page views this month
- Some very rude and juvenile comments were posted as of late by anonymous commenters, some of which I’ve simply deleted wholesale. Some I’ve banned. The trend for this has been upwards.
- I’m not getting other important work done, such as getting the surfacestations.org database updated as new stations are surveyed, and I need to deploy my Stevenson Screen paint experiment again. One of the screens has been damaged my a recent windstorm (knocked over, anchors pulled out).
- I’m falling behind in email correspondence.
As I review my time, I find that a good portion of it goes towards managing this blog. It has become a hungry insatiable animal. While I have no lack of material for postings, doing the moderation/management is becoming a bit much. It is often irritating as well as time consuming.
Faced with a choice of giving up blogging (as Roger Pielke did for awhile) turning off comments altogether (as Roger Pielke did when he returned to blogging) or changing the way comments are handled, I’m considering the latter.
One of the things that has always bothered me about blogging and commentary is that the “anonymous cowards” (as Slashdot calls them) generally have the upper hand. Science bloggers like Tamino and Eli Rabbet fall into the “anonymous coward” category, as do many of the rude posters here and elsewhere. Some like “Dano” and “TCO” have whole careers based on snark. Who are they? I don’t know/don’t care, as they are irrelevant. But, they waste everybody’s time nonetheless.
Being anonymous or using a handle allows you to say any stupid, hateful, inciting, derogatory, or otherwise negative thing you want and have no accountability for your actions. At the same time, your opinion or writings is generally worthless as it can’t be verified. Anonymity IMHO, serves only the purpose to allow bad behaviour while protecting oneself or one’s reputation from any real damage.
On the other hand, people that put their name out there with their work or writings, such as John Coleman, Roger Pielke, Joe D’aleo, Basil Copeland, John Goetz, Steve McIntyre, David Smith, Evan Jones, Jim Goodridge, Warren Meyer, and many others (I’m sorry if I missed anyone), including myself, often get viciously criticized for putting their word and reputation on the line every day for writing something they believe in.
The “anonymous cowards” that publish blogs or comments take no such risks when they criticize or challenge. They can work for NASA, be a member of the IPCC, work for a science organization, be a professor at a university, and can taunt, castigate, or criticize in any tone they wish, all without risk to their professional or private reputation.
So today, when I got some angry anonymous comments, one of which came from a NASA employee (which I know because WordPress.com automatically puts the source IP next to each comment, that’s not something I had to search for) it made me think about “why am I taking all the risks”?
Peilke and D’Aleo solved the problem by turning off comments. I like comments because they give myself and others new perspectives, but I don’t like the easy “drive by vitriol” that sometimes springs forth from anonymity. The commenter “MA” recently provided an example of the worst sort of that.
My father, God rest his soul, always told me to “stand behind my words”. I do that, by putting my name on everything that publishes here. I’ve taken a lot of heat for doing so.
So I’m considering this:
Change of policy – all commenters must use their real name and have valid reachable email. The name would be published, the email would not.
Sure, that will anger some folks, but at the same time it will also force those that wish to comment to choose their words carefully, to act responsibly, and to be courteous of others. It will also cut down on the volume of comments that need moderation.
I figure if you have something to say, and what you have to say is useful, factual, and important enough to add to the discussion, you’ll have no problem putting your name to it. Right?
Ok have at it. I’ll make a decision next week.
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I don’t have a problem with it in principle. I tend to use a handle because I also use it to comment on some more controversial blogs. I live in the SF Bay area and many of my co-workers and management are a bit extreme in their opinions on certain subjects and also extreme in their opinions of people with differing views.
I enjoy expressing my opinions and sharing information and not having to worry about someone “Googling” my name at work and my boss discovering that I am one of these “evil deniers”. I like to maintain good relations with many people of various political persuasions. Some of those people are not as open to befriending people with differing views, they take that stuff way too seriously.
100% in agreement, Anthony. Only allow real names and emails. I sympathize with those who worry about their jobs, but that’s a decision they’ll have to make. They’re not alone – just watch “Expelled! No Intelligence Allowed”. Many of the same tactics are being used by the pro-global warming crowd that are used by the anti-intelligent design crowd. Anyone who thinks that the members of the scientific community are above subjectivity, arrogance, greed, spite, kingdom-building, etc. is living in la la land.
Take advertising; the revenue ought to hire you a sheriff.
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Well, this is my real name. and my real email addy has always been used.
Anonymous blogging comments are kinda like people who become a different sort behind the wheel, they don’t think there will be any consequences, so the thin veneer of civilization falls away rather quickly.
I don’t mind having my real name known but I would prefer that my workplace not be advertised. I work in one of those three letter government orgs (not a very exciting three letters tho) and my views on this subject would subject me to severe harrassment.
Hello Anthony,
Here I am, supporting all that you write, because the planet is getting colder yet again. The Irish have voted NO to the EU and we are voting NO to the AGW warmists. We have both right and science on our side and two poor harvests, this year and next will concentrate minds wonderfully. Keep up the good work, because the pendulum is swinging our way. Here is an excellent British blog for you to read, if you do not know it yet.
http://www.numberwatch.co.uk/2008%20June.htm#surveillance
Best wishes,
Perry
S’okay by me. BTW and FWIW, “DAV” is my real name … well, initials anyway. The people I work with know me by that name as well. My email address is also my name. My IP address is registered in my name as well as the url is in the some of the links that I’ve made.
Just a side comment though. Not allowing some anonymity might curtail valid comment if the commentor feels it may have professional repercussion. Maybe you could make an unadvertised Real Name field similar to the e-mail address. Just a thought.
How would you know the name is real, though?
— OR —-
Maybe it could be possible for vetted posters to post through without moderation? Might lessen the burden but I suppose it could also have the reverse effect.
Whatever you decide though.
I’d very much like to continue using DAV though.
Do it!
I’ve taken to using my own name as a small form of protest on the multitude of sites, reflecting my varied interests, I visit where anonymous drive by junk gets posted. If you have something to say that’s worthwhile, put your name to it and stand by what you say. Let’s get some degree of civility instilled in the blogosphere.
Just think, Monday is next week. Okay, technically it’s Sunday.
I hear you on the overhead of having a lot of attention on your blog. First of congrats and well earned, this is a daily read for me now. Second, if you are going to keep this up you either need to delegate tasks to some minions, or find a way to have your blog make enough money that it’s your primary focus. That is the tough part.
Keep up the good work, the quality here is apparent.
Bruce H
While I have no problem using my real name, there is a small problem with my name. My name is Steve McEntyre and no I am not the guy from Climate Audit and I am not masquerading as him either. I was accused of that when I left a few comments on his blog. (not by him but by several of his more haughty readers)
Therefore I would sort of like to avoid that sort of confusion if I could. It could be humorous at times though.
Perhaps if you required the nearest town of the commentors as well as the name.
I have no problem with that either.
Most excellent blog though. Well written and accurate as well as inciteful and thought provoking. Required reading in my view.
Bottom Line: You are the boss.
As a person who comes to this site often and has not made a comment I also believe a person should sign their name. I do that at other sites where I happen to have some knowledge of the subject. To those who sign their name even if their faced with personal attacks or even economic retribution they are obviously very courageous.
Here is the bottom line to me, this site offers objective and scientific information on the Climate. Those who take the cheap shots under a pseudonym are without merit in my view.
Ralph Short
Garden City, South Carolina
Mc Grats said: The contributors on this blog are “some” of the finest
Lawrie said: “Most” are a wate of time.
“Some”, “Most” so what is your problem McGrats?
Ok: Some comments are not a wate of time but most are!
Most times when I use my actual name it is when I venture forth to a Tamino or Rabett’s Run to do battle.
I’ve been using my handle for so long that the occasional post where I use my given name, my name itself provides a certain degree of anominity.
Another case where I use my given name is when I am visiting a foreign countryman’s blog. At such a time I feel it is my duty as an ambassador of America to be completely forthright.
I reserve the papertiger for use with my friends, but there is no hard and fast rule.
Sometimes as a gag I’ve impersonate Elvis or Darth Vadar.
How about we sign our posts in the fashion of Jack Koenig? Would that be cool?
James Mayeau aka you know who.
I post under a pseudonym due to the fact that identity theft is rampant and many, (not all) Alarmists have become violent and vindictive, (I have an unusual surname). Eco-terrorism has been in the news a lot recently and the last thing I need is for someone to vandalize my home, my reputation or hurt one of my animals because of my views on this topic.
Something else to consider…… many times comments contain links to informative/valuable information concerning the topics.
This site is on my permanent “link” list…..I check it everyday and glean mountains of information from it. I don’t want to go so far to say that the site is indispensable, but I value the place immensely. I think that it’s important to keep sites like this running….sort of a gathering place for sane people.
Advertise? Maybe hire a few people to weed out the obscene comments and personal attacks with the proceeds?
Ask for a government grant? (Just kidding).
Maybe donations to pay for the extra help? I’ll chip in……
In the end, this is your gig and you should do what makes you and your family happy and content. Life is too short to carry on with a hobby that has turned into a chore…………I’d hate to see you close up shop though.
Anthony,
my hat’s off to you and the work you’ve started and I’ll confess to visiting daily when I can and by all means – its your blog, do as you need to!
(FSM only knows how much I neglect my blathering excuse for one)
I’ll admit to mixed emotions on my part – having personally witnessed a “Docee Moment” job termination for an “against (unpublished – unknown) corp. policy” for an honest product comparison on a personal blog there is a certain amount of justified paranoia and I believe it is important to be able to maintain some degree of anonymity for us paycheque to paycheck folks
although I make every effort to open a “off blog” connectivity and share personal contact information and I’m consistent in usage of my handles (which I suppose is contra anonymity but such is reel-to-real life)
however I’ve also self proclaimed my heretical questioning of CO2 as the end of the world as we know it in local paper – in a region where, well lets just say tie dye and hemp haven’t gone out of style so I don’t have a problem if thats what you decide
(Thinking about commenters such as deadwood)
I would suggest, if someone wishes to comment anon for genuine reasons, that they – privately – email you their name and email address, which you will of course keep confidential.
Anthony: I agree anonymous responders should be banned. If they can’t reveal their names they’re cowards and don’t deserve a place in the forum.
I agree with Tarpon and McGrats above – the (nontroll) comments and discussions that follow your posts are almost as interesting and enlightening as your posts.
My email addr and website are already listed, but will have no problem with adding my last name if required.
That NASA employee was probably Jim H.
why not? seems very reasonable for all of the reasons you gave. if someone is too much of a coward to post from a real email (at the very least) then they shouldn’t have the privilege (and it is a privilege not a right) to post.
Your blog, and a wonderful one at that. You might make exception for people who just can’t have their identity known for personal/political reasons, if that can be done without unreasonable extra work.
Thanks for all you’ve done.
I really appreciate this site. Do *whatever* it takes to keep it running my friend. Although I don’t post here very often… I do check here frequently.
I agree mostly with tarpon. A real name would probably keep me from posting and despite other’s experience, I am quite attached to my nom-de-plume, so I do in fact treat it like it will affect me. As for an email address, if I had to I would just give one I wouldn’t check anyway.
A registration system with some volunteer moderators would probably do the job best.
My (few) comments will not be missed by anyone and were mostly for my own edification. But, I do like to warm up before pontificating, so in a year that may change 🙂
I appreciate your site and your ownership of it, so feel free to do what you want with it. (a preview button would be nice, though)
I can definitely understand where you are coming from on this, having had some pretty weird experiences myself with trolls and multiple identities (“sock puppets”) on various groups. It would be a shame to get rid of all comments though, as these provide so much food for thought. Also the comment function lets even unscientific folks and bystanders to the climate controversy like myself contribute from time to time. But yes, dealing with the faceless dingbats can be a pain. 🙁
It’s almost my real name… I’ve no problem at all using my real name. It’s mine, I’ve owned it for 40+ years, and I’ll stand behind any comments I make (and retract / apologise if incorrect).
Having said that, there are people who may well need to post under a pseudonym. Govenment scientists, NASA people… maybe the rule needs to be register using real name, ask permission to have it changed with an explanation of why.
I admire the courage of the people who post their full name. I chose not to some time ago after an experience on another blog where a fellow realist was harassed at his home by an AGW zealot.
I speak about my views publically whenever it’s appropriate and am happy to stand by them one to one or in small groups. What I cannot and will not do however is put my family in arms reach of those on the internet who are not tollerant of dissension to their ‘the science is settled” view of the world.
As for the rest as other’s have said it’s your blog Anthony, do what you see fit. It will still be a great resource whatever you decide to do.
Pablo
I am using my name instead of my usual LarryT. Do what you need to keep this very useful blog going and keep up the good work at surfacestations.org.