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.
Anthony: Using a pseudonym doesn’t always have to do with anonymity.
When I first discovered the blogoshere via ClimateAudit three or four years ago, very few people used their real name and I just followed that trend. Now I run my own blog which I started using the same pseudonym, partly because I do not have a particularly catchy or presentational name, but also because all the comments that I had made on the web were under that handle and I thought that there might be some people who would recognise it.
Your blog has become one of the cornerstones of climate scepticism and an immensely important resource for all of us who want to see a balanced debate on this subject. Although I fully understand your problem with the TCOs and Danos of this world, and certainly prefer to read well thought-out and polite comments, it would seem to be better if you increase moderation, with help, rather than require real names.
Jeez is a name that I know well from other forums, and scanning through comments I’d usually read what he has to say, but if he were to start commenting under his real name it would mean nothing to me. There is also the very good point made by Crosspatch, DAV and others about professional repercussions.
TonyN http://www.harmlesssky.org
Junk Science has taken a step back, and now you are showing some strain; may I say I find this blog to be a valuable source of information which I occasionally take away and, as it were, spread the light else-where; so I really hope you continue your good work, providing a balance to some very insistent and aggressive opposition.
As to sobriquets; I use one because when growing up my heroes were Spiderman and Superman! Seriously, I go on these blogs because I want to argure the points and learn without personalites clouding the issues as it were; as a suggestion, why don’t impose a levy for those who wish to remain anonymous, for what ever reason, excluding those who only want to be abusive or trolls; some annual or monthly fee perhaps? Regardless, please keep the comments; as others have said on this post, some insightful and, at times, brilliant, things are written.
I like jeez’ idea. Go for it. I use my nickname out of fun & convenience & link to my blog w/ my real name.
As for real names, however, the ‘net is riven with people using pseudonyms, nom der cyber, sock puppets and what not.
Remember: We’re all a 13 yr. old boy in Kalamazoo.
Anthony,
Thank you for all your hard work. Please keep the blog going and the comments. I agree with your proposed changes.
I think Deadwood makes an excellent point though – there are some scientists working in the establishment who may need to keep their names private – the only way round it would be for you to allow special privileges (pseudonyms) in exceptional cases so we can still receive their views on both sides of the argument – trouble is that’s much more work and not clean. If it was me I’d delete all anonymous comments.
By the way I am just an ordinary chap in the UK trying to understand the arguments on all sides. I have to say I maintain an open mind but have become much more sceptical about AGW as a result of everything I have read here.
I found your blog as a result of a column in the Daily Telegraph – a leading British newspaper. I have used some of the postings on here to e-mail David Cameron (probably the next PM in the UK) asking him to have a much more open mind on the subject (I am not quite winning on that one yet!) so please keep it going.
Anthony and Jeez, since workload is the primary issue, I recommend Jeez’s solution. Share the moderation work load. The blog is a success, and grown past the point of the current limited staff, so solve the real problem, add trusted voluntary staff.
Indeed, I volunteer my services as a ?trusted? moderator or any other service needed.
I choose to remain anonymous, as I run a couple of blogs, one which has my open email. I am just waiting for that blog to get hacked or seriously spammed , before I am forced to make the hard decisions.
Counter Revolutionary (CoRev), editor
http://globalwarmingclearinghouse.blogspot.com
People who use their full names face retribution, not merely from cranks but also from those who wield power. Consider Dr. Bill Gray, and the fact he had eleven requests for funding shot down, back during Clinton’s administration.
The problem is the politics. Some feel they are saving the environment, and some feel they are saving the economy, and in both cases feelings run high.
It takes a measure of courage to face the backlash that will come, no matter what stance you take. I have noticed the scientists who dare speak out often are old and established, and have a security that younger scientists lack. You will find you silence some, if you ask for full names. Call them cowards if you will; there is such a thing as pragmatic common sense.
Churchill’s writing was actually banned from many English newspapers, because he was too “war-like,” in the 1930’s. Even if one is courageous, one can experience the depression of receiving a sort of “rejection slip.”
I suggest you have three categories of posts, with three types of comment section. First would be science-only, with no politics allowed. Second would be politics, with people required to display courage and use their full names. And third, an area which allows the free-for-alls we have all grown to detest-yet-enjoy, though the talk is without doubt uncivil. Although impolite, such unrestrained honesty gives one a clear view of the passions involved.
Although I personally qualify as a lurker, a member of the unwashed masses, and a shameful coward, (and perhaps at times display Multiple Personality Disorder,) I have found no way to avoid being intellectually beaten-to-a-pulp by people who are more knowledgeable, articulate and have more peer-reviewed links, (even if they are wrong.) Though it hurts my feelings and causes me to go off and sulk for a while, in the long run it has done me nothing but good.
The unwashed masses need places where they can speak without fear.
There appear to be a relatively small % of folks who comment here who have some legitimate concerns about using their real names, including jeez. But, as jeez pointed out, Anthony knows who jeez is, so this suggests to me a possible compromise, although I don’t know how feasible it is: require posters to use their full name, unless registered, and make registration optional for all others. That still wouldn’t stop the possibility of trolls using fake names, of course, but how often is that likely to happen? If it became too much of a problem, then requiring registration for all would be the next logical step.
And, um Tony:
Some days you post so many articles. Talk about time-kill central! How do you guys do it?
I like to have time for a thread to really settle in, worth, y’know? 200 or more comments before we have to start quibbling on a new topic.
It’s very funny to go over to John Cook’s blog over at skepticalscience.com where he tries to debunk your posts.
I don’t know how you can get rid of the anonymous posters, because it is easy to use a service like Tor and a throwaway email address; but requiring registration would at least get rid of the drive-by snipers.
Yes, full name.
This thread has shown how effective discussion can be. After MA or whatever his/her name was, I can understand your wanting a bit of relief. The troll was making me lose interest due to the sorry sight of their using your time and patience for no other purpose than baiting and name calling. Your patience was remarkable, not that it appeared to make a difference to the troll.
That said. I come here everyday because I have found that your site has quality and perspective that is unique. Even if you close comments, I will still come. However, I agree that there are those that I would wish to stay and comment . Some may have the opposite point of view than mine, and may have good reason to stay anonymous. I have found that generally the comments provide insight that I myself may well miss, if I had not read it, or would happen if everybody was in agreement.
Hope that you find a good answer.
maybe wordpress should have a plugin that lets other readers flag a post
for removal. voting off the island. a self moderating structure
OK, I know that I only hit the “submit comment” button once, I sat and watched it go thru, so why the double post? Not a complaint, just puzzled. Software gremlins, I guess.
Because I was once harassed by an irate telemarketer who I had been rude to, harassed to such an extent that I involved the police in the issue, I prefer anonymity. Does being cautious, by wearing seat belts for example, mean that a person is a coward?
wordpress plugins to consider
http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/wp-blockyou/
Blockyou is nice because when they try to view your site you redirect them
to a URL. that URL could be.. well,, anything.
also threaded comments plugin. threaded or nested comments would be great!
REPLY: To do all that, I’d have to move to a dedicated server off of WordPress.com, costs and more maintenance,
….What a shame….I kinda liked my pseudonym – Saaad – “Spooky Action at a Distance”…….but this is my favourite blog on the web and I’d hate to see it go!
Keep it up Anthony!…Please!
Cheers!
Christopher Elves.
I don’t mind registering with my correct name, but I’m not going to post here or any other blog requiring my real name to be revealed to one and all.
You might think this a bit daft, and I’m being paranoid, but the truth is as an English ex-pat living in Germany it’s illegal for me to receive UK satellite TV. Doing this contravenes international copyright law, even though it goes dead against the EU’s “TV Without Frontiers” initiative. It’s all Hollywood’s fault – nobody else seems to care.
Anyway, if Sky were to find out I was living outside of the UK, they would cancel my Sky TV viewing card. And that’s a risk I’m not prepared to take.
So, looks like it’ll be back to lurking for me …
It is a good idea.
Why not allow a pseudonym? Keep the encrypted real name and Email address on your server inside your firewall..
Require (as you do now) the (peudo) name and email address on all comments.
With that approach, I could use my “spam-catcher” email address and exempt anything from you as “Not Junk”.
Your site and the service you provide through it is well worth the daily visit!
(My real name is in this email address.)
Does anyone remember “The Unknown Comic”? On the Gong Show? The paper bag reminded me of him.
I think it’s a great policy. Formerly Mike from Canmore. Never lived in Canmore. Just one of my favourte characters. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_from_Canmore. I liked it for a couple of reasons; When I read tech analysis, sometimes I feel like the village idiot (in a fun way – I’m not afraid to laugh at myself) but I thought Village Idiot was too overt. In addition, “Mike from Canmore” was orginally “Mike from Coquitlam” which near where I now live.
I believe it was Brian the other day who pointed me towards a paper about PDO et al. I meant to respond to you and say thanks as it was an excellent link but that work thing got in the way. I hope you enjoy your visit to Canmore. I’ve been there several times and it is truly beautiful. Hopefully you don’t get snow this year. Make sure you zip up to see Lake Louise. Come back the road that parallels Hwy 1. It’s a 2 lane and much more apt to see some Elk/Bear.
Keep up the great work Anthony.
I for one shall use my FULL NAME! I fell all persons leaving comments should leave their FULL NAME and not just their first and last names. I personally would like to know with whom I’m communicating
I think your idea is good. Your site is too valuable to lose because of a few morons. Thanks again for all your work, Anthony! ;]
We need to focus on the issues!
I am for full names, substantive discussion comments, and civility.
Otherwise we (collectively) are bogged with repetitive, insubstantive drivel or personal attacks that waste everyone’s time.
Anthony,
How are you going to implement this?
Do you need a plugin to email the first time a particular ’email’ address post, and let’s you register that email address/name combination so the comments appear later? (And/or are automatically deleted?)
To save you time, I think that as much as possible ought to be done through plugin. (And I know how to write them. 🙂 )
I have no problem with the policy. I think it is a good one. I understand some folk’s concerns about privacy but, frankly, I have no sympathy for people who are unwilling to put their real names to their words.
Also, I prefer that Anthony spend his time creating the original content, which is why I read this blog to begin with, and not waste time fielding flames from anonymous and tedious cowards.
As far as I am concerned Anthony can cut off all commentary if it means he continues to produce this resource and work on his many other projects. While I enjoy reading the comments I do not visit this blog because of the comment section.