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Poll: Should we allow anonymous comments? (Updated With Video!)

Started by baratunde aka jack turner · 10 months ago

In the sidebar, we’ve just posted a poll. Please weigh in.
Should we allow anonymous comments?
+ No, people should at lease use a pseudonym
+ I don’t care
+ Yes, there may be good reasons.
We’ve had a recent flood of anonymous commenting. I ... Continue reading »

46 comments

  • Felicia

    1 year ago

    I think you should. With at least a pseudonym, keeping the posters straight would be easier, and it would cut down on the spamming and trolling. If comments decrease too drastically, I guess you could bring back anonymous posting.
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    I leave comments as Anonymous because I don't know how to get a name and when I try to use a name I have issues. I understand the issue with anonymous posters, because sometimes their comments are offensive. But Jack Turner was going on CNN there were lots of anonymous poster posting helpful and thoughtful comments in support of his appearances, so its not all bad. Those people would not have been able to post and send helpful tips. Besides all blogs allow for it, some just don't respond to those posters. If anyone can teach this computer illiterate person how to get a name be happy to chose one.
    reply
  • Laura

    1 year ago

    People should use pseudonyms so that we can tell them apart. The pseudonym does not have to give away anything about their identity.
    reply
  • heartsandflowers

    1 year ago

    The anonymous postings have increased dramatically. I think people should take the few extra seconds to use a name. it's good to have a way of keeping track of people. And anon - you select the name/url button and chose a name type in your verification as usual and continue to post as usual.
    reply
  • Nita

    1 year ago

    I'm using Firefox through a DSL connection. In order to complete a post, the following options are given:


    Choose an identity

    * Google/Blogger

    * Open ID

    * Name/URL

    * Anonymous



    On my browser, 'Google/Blogger' is the default. You have to consciously choose 'Anonymous' to post as 'Anonymous'. It may be different with others. Is it?





    Anonymous 12:13am, what exactly happens when you attempt to choose a name? The readership is big enough here that someone should be able to help you out tech-wise. Just ask.



    I understand the issue with anonymous posters, because sometimes their comments are offensive.

    The Happy Klansman is more welcome in my world than Anonymous. But that's just me.
    reply
  • Another Scorpio

    1 year ago

    I usually use a pseudonym because it represents a persona that my legal name can't always acknowledge. But I think it helps if people use pseudonyms because then you know who has posted, if they've posted before and if they have something interesting to say.
    reply
  • Caged Lion

    1 year ago

    I don't want this great forum to devolve into 80% crap, 20% good comments, like I have seen at other sites.


    Though I'm not sure if eliminating anonymous posts will do that Blackprof did something similar, and there is still alot of chaff on their message boards.



    I would prefer we all just obey that old rule: don't feed the trolls.
    reply
  • D.

    1 year ago

    I just want the anonymous conservative to give his name, cause I'm tired of taking a beating on my own.LOL.
    reply
  • francis

    1 year ago

    I love this blog!!!!
    reply
  • francis

    1 year ago

    I'm such an idiot! For months I've been posting as "anon" on this blog and fields because I was unable to figure out how to use the pseudonym option...what a complete BUTTHEAD I am.


    Thank's guys.
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    I enjoy visiting this website because I enjoy debate. I like hearing opposing viewpoints. It is more difficult (and lIMO less interesting) to debate with people to share your viewpoint.


    I know that some of my opinions are contrary to the ones expressed here and my comments have been met with a wide range of responses. I have been told to be silent, sworn at, and called upon to identify myself. Many times, I bring up questions, hoping to be answered but I am most often dismissed as a troll and ignored.



    Would a pseudonym change this? I think it would make it even easier to ignore or dismiss what I have to say. With more than one anon poster, I at least have a shot at being acknowledged.



    I came to JJP to find out why supporters are so drawn to Obama. I like to use this forum to express my concerns, ask questions, and present opposing arguments, in order to help me probe politically, 'who I am' in the present political/social climate and to hone my ideas and opinions. To challenge myself to be more aware of the opinions and viewpoints of individuals with whom I may otherwise never have the opportunity to meet.



    Thanks JJP.



    I prefer to remain anonymous because I do not feel completely comfortable here. I have registered a pseudonym and just recently was compelled to use it, only to find that it did not work. I'll keep trying but for now, I would like to respectfully reserve my right to post anonymously and hope that other JJP commenters continue to see the value in engaging in debate.
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    If someone would post step by step intructions on how to get a pseeudonym I would be happy to get one. I uses anon because it's easy. In order to cut down on the confusion we posters could say anon 1 or anon 2 etc.
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    What's the fuss?


    I guess this site has to ask itself what does it want to be?



    A chat room for like minded indiviuals, an echo chamber, or an honest forum for constructive debate.



    Is it really all that hard for commenters to tell each other apart or is this just a way to discourage opposing viewpoints?
    reply
  • Angela

    1 year ago

    I think a pseudonym is a good idea. The NYT won't let you post as anon and I've seen that at a few other places and there was still good debate.
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    Hmmmmmm......
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    it would cut down on the spamming and trolling
    _____________________________________



    So that is really what this is all about. Has it really been that bad? Or is it just not what you want to hear?
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    Perhaps you could get some high-tech tracking software to find our where we're all coming from? That's what another aa political blog does( it gives your city of origin and what blog to came from last) and it creeps me out! Needless to say, I've never posted there and the max number of comments I've seen is 2 or 3 per post.
    reply
  • Webb

    1 year ago

    When I first posted on here, I started as anonymous too.


    There's a learning curve on using that name/url function...if there were a way to educate first-time users on how "easy" it is to use the function, it would help reduce anons cause most of the people on here are creative enough to create their own pseudonym.
    reply
  • evita

    1 year ago

    I don't see the big deal. I often use Anon- especially when I'm just saying something short and without any depth.


    I say allow them.
    reply
  • not anonymous

    1 year ago

    JJP is great
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    peanut butter jelly time? loving that mccain. JJP is the hotness.
    reply
  • testing

    1 year ago

    test
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    waaaaaaaah.
    reply
  • Prometheus 6

    1 year ago

    As your traffic increases you'll get more idiots. How much time do you have to moderate comments?
    reply
  • Kat

    1 year ago

    I don't think you should allow anonymous comments for the following reasons.


    1) Its simple enough to click on "name" at the end of the post. Its not like you are asking people to sign up for a google account



    2) People aren't loosing the right to be anonymous, as they can post under a pseudonym and even change them with each post if they want.



    3) Its easier to address someones post when you can refer to an actual name rather than "anon".
    reply
  • Travis Smilezee

    1 year ago

    waaaaaaah.
    reply
  • freespiritbeautee

    1 year ago

    get rid of anon posters. They need to be held accountable for their comments good or bad. IT's not like their identity will be compromised. Seems to me most anon's love anonymity and can say anything they want without retribution.
    reply
  • Christopher Chambers

    1 year ago

    Freespirit is correct. Have the stones to reveal yourself. For a blog on culture, etc. it's not such a big deal. Lighthearted though often with an edge--you don't need to necessarily reveal yourself. But for politics, yes, I think the bright line needs drawing.
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    Just because an anon poster writes something that is deemed offensive, it does not mean that it cant be dealt with. That is the beauty of Blogging, it is free wheeling and self correcting.


    So what if some Troll gets on here? --we are smart educated folks who will deal with them!...let the cowards come and spew their divisive rhethoric--I think it helps some here who will better shape an arguement against the other side.
    reply
  • D.

    1 year ago

    "let the cowards come and spew their divisive rhethoric"


    Well, with THAT said, it would be interesting to know how many of the anonymous posters actually present an opposing viewpoint.Far as I know, there's two people who consistently disagree, and I ain't hiding.



    If you're going to post consistently, take a name. If you're just popping in occasionally, it shouldn't matter.
    reply
  • RhondaCoca

    1 year ago

    You see I have balls (not literally) I have my name and my picture...lol!!! You can even see my profile...lol.


    JJP no anons, I have been saying it for a while. Get a name and you are welcom regardless of your viewpoints. We accept ppl with different viewpoints. We can respond to you easier. When I keep seeing anon, anon, anon...I get confused. When you have a name, I take you seriously. Period.



    From looking at your poll, I think everyone agrees with me for the most part=)
    reply
  • s

    1 year ago

    a former anon d wants to meet.
    reply
  • Nichelle

    1 year ago

    I vote no "anonymous" comments as well because


    1.) The commenter can STILL be anonymous by scrolling down and selecting Name/URL and writing in any name they want - even without a URL. I add my URL but it is not required if you don't want to use one. You can just make up a name.



    2.) It is indeed less confusing when there are 5 anonymous comments in a row - whatever the viewpoint. I find myself skipping especially long Anonymous comments because it is easy to confuse them and time is short as it is.
    reply
  • Rhonda

    1 year ago

    test
    reply
  • RhondaCoca

    1 year ago

    Sorry, that was me above, I was just testing.


    No anonymous posts!! Getting a name is very easy!! I tried it myself.
    reply
  • pwaggie

    1 year ago

    I tried to use the name thing before and wasn't allowed. I used a different server and now have no issues. And D. I will try my best to help against the anonymous conservative. I do acknowledge that many of the anonymous posters do post offensive things and hide behind anonymous. I still stand by that not all anonymous posting is bad. Some might have had the issues I had with my server. It might have been easy for you Rhonda, but it took me two times to post with a name on my other server. Just a thought.
    reply
  • D.

    1 year ago

    Waggie,
    I'm a conservative myself...lol.



    S,

    Welcome.
    reply
  • Carol McCullough

    1 year ago

    I vote for no anonymous postings. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, I find having some kind of name typically results in more thoughtful and less acrimonious comments. I like and encourage dissent, but it is rarely fun to see people be jerks to others.
    reply
  • anon,Fan of Fauntroy

    1 year ago

    Some readers act as if this brain surgery. You didn't know you could just type in a name and fake url? Are you serious?


    Posters should be held accountable for their comments on a blog? It's not like any questions or criticisms of Obama or Jack, Jill, Rikyah or DNA are addressed.



    And what are you going to do, spank anons them if they write something you don't like. Are you going to ban their ip addresses?



    You are aware if you do that you will have effectively ended the intellectual exchange you claim you want and become a organizational tool for the BO campaign.



    Indeed, the result will be a forum where Obama supporters figuratively "jerk each other off" as they discuss the greatness that is Barack. (Kinda like the DailyKos)



    If that's the end you desire then blogspot offers the option of only allowing posts with gmail accounts to respond. You may suffer a decrease in comments but if you don't care about that, it doesn't matter.
    reply
  • Ms.Martin

    1 year ago

    My only problem with the anon post is that it gets a little confusing when you're trying to respond and there are several anons and you have to figure out what time the anon you're responding to posted.


    Is it possible to have a direct link to respond to a specific comment? If so, that would take care of the anon situation for me.



    I love you guys thanks for all your work and could someone please post on the story on the ajc regarding Michelle Obama's Princeton roomate's honesty about feelings of Michelle back then that are in line with her thoughts on her time at Princeton - Please.



    Nichelle gave the link in a post on the open thread.
    reply
  • Ms.Martin

    1 year ago

    Just wanted to add that pseudos help in fostering blog relationships.


    I've started to look for comments by pseudos that I find interesting and/or in keeping with my opinions.
    reply
  • Anonymous

    1 year ago

    i am anonymous and i love it! i wish more sites would allow anonymous - i for one am TIRED of creating log-ins and id's for every damn thing on the net. its too much committment for me. i love this site and i think allowing anonymous will encourage more people to post comments. there are plenty of sites that i enjoy that i never leave comments because i am tired of all the user names and passwords and email verifications. i love the net, hate constantly remembering my identity. PLEASE KEEP ANON :)
    reply
  • spiderbytes

    1 year ago

    It's the internet. Anonymity & psuedonyms are the order of the day. If you want/need personalized interaction with people who can be "acounted" for, then it's time to turn off the computer.
    reply
  • Felicia

    1 year ago

    anon 07:15 said:
    So that is really what this is all about. Has it really been that bad? Or is it just not what you want to hear?



    Dude, I teach college in the South, and I'm the only black person in class. I have no problem with opposing views. I do, however, have a problem reading the same damn email on 20 different blogs about how Obama is the Manchurian Candidate/Anit-Christ.



    Also, not ragging on d. because I love ya, brother, but if I know who's writing stuff that I don't agree with, and we've had the same disagreement before, it is nice to know I can ignore that person (not you d.) because we've been around that mountain before.
    reply
  • D.

    1 year ago

    Felicia,
    Obama is the Anti-Christ...you ain't know?



    Joking. :)
    reply
  • Felicia

    1 year ago

    d.,
    Much love to you, brother :)
    reply
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