please empty your brain below
Oo-er. I'm not going to read the comments on this one!

Sarah | Homepage | 13.05.16 - 7:11 a.m. | #

Or me!

May I ask, on which post(s) were these comments?

Tube Geek | 13.05.16 - 7:21 a.m. | #

The first comment was on the TV post yesterday, after the "debate" about TV licensing.

The second comment came a while after the "Comment Value Hierarchy" post a while ago. Here - in a post about buses - http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.co.uk/2016/03/425-capital-letters.html

Andrew | 13.05.16 - 7:42 a.m. | #

Oh, and the CVH is linked in the sidebar. http://diamondgeezer.blogspot.co.uk/2015/12/the-comment-value-hierarchy.html

Andrew | 13.05.16 - 7:43 a.m. | #

One of the few blogs that could probably sustain its own standalone message forum. Though I don't recommend it - too much navel gazing. Which is why LR hasn't gone down that route either despite a definite need for a single place for anyone who's ever drawn their own rail lines onto a map to share their loony ideas. :)

It's healthy. It doesn't happen every day, and until it does I don't see a problem. That said, it isn't *my* site. Though even on the more frustrating days, I just can't see dg moderating many comments that fall short of the hate crime mark.

I disagree with BW (as I normally do, which why I like her, which is why discussion is good). The minor variations in comments over the years is a general trend as we face interactivity overload. Active posters trend towards a smaller, more vocal group over time in general - even as readership increases. No-one's driving them away, just fewer have the time to interact with the already far-too-many things they read every day.

Chz | 13.05.16 - 7:51 a.m. | #

Never mind the comments, DG! People READ your blog! And LIKE it! At least I do. Most times anyway.

Leuconoe | 13.05.16 - 7:55 a.m. | #

There always used to be comments about kittens ...

Debster | 13.05.16 - 8:19 a.m. | #

Some people. I'm sure many have noticed the 'corrections' and useful input/info provided by many a comment. Yes sometimes comments go off topic or pick-up a small point and turn it into debate. There are even the odd silly comments (I probably rank high on that list!) which may get 'special treatment'. But all-in-all it fairly good-natured and never downright nasty. So...what do we do? Do we just read and say nothing? Do we follow 'the rules'? Or do we just Keep Calm...and Carry-On?!

Grumpy Anon | 13.05.16 - 8:50 a.m. | #

If were going to get worried about comments, probably best to not comment at all then.

Agent Z | 13.05.16 - 9:00 a.m. | #

I'm definitely with the "keep calm and carry on" crowd. Although that is rather a way-out use of a slogan originally devised to deal with an enemy who was dropping bombs on our city. Here the problem, pretty trivial, is the changing nature of comments, and the perception (completely mistaken in my view) that this is DG's fault.

Malcolm | 13.05.16 - 9:06 a.m. | #

But what about Nagorno-Karabakh?

Madison | 13.05.16 - 9:09 a.m. | #

I understand that this post is about comments so we can all make a comment and still be on topic whatever is written? Right at the bottom of the 'Hierarchy' list, in the Offensive group, is "Not getting any comments". I'm sure none of us would want to offend DG. So fire away!

Dave | 13.05.16 - 9:10 a.m. | #

@ Debster. I miss the kittens too.

Antipodean | 13.05.16 - 9:23 a.m. | #

I can't think of anything to say

Bob L-S | 13.05.16 - 9:29 a.m. | #

I like reading the comments!
I never read the blog without reading the comments too, even if I don't leave one myself.

Cornish Cockney | 13.05.16 - 9:47 a.m. | #

It must be difficult to get the balance right. Chz talks about London Reconnections (LR) which has turned into an excellent thing. Sometimes it seems as though every other comment is snipped though, but with comments running into the hundreds for popular posts, perhaps this is necessary.

I'm with Cornish Cockney too, always read the comments. Sometimes a bit disappointed if there's only a few.

Lorenzo | 13.05.16 - 10:19 a.m. | #

Surely you should be thankful that you get so many comments so that there can be a discussion or disagreement. Most blogs fold within a short time because they attract NO comments.

I also agree everything is better with Kittens.

Michael | 13.05.16 - 10:32 a.m. | #

I was disappointed that TimF didn't have the courtesy to take your "it wasn't a moan" comment at face value.

Or perhaps I'd have to read more comment threads in detail to understand his position clearly.

I usually open the comments, but most days only scan through them. As a person using the internet in the 21st century I have adapted this mechanism to give myself time to eat and sleep. It was a sad day the first time the volume of crap on London Reconnections was so large that I didn't have time to read all the comments, but I've long since got over that and worked out how the find the interesting bits. A popular comment thread will tend to fill with a fair bit of crap, and no moderation policy will sort that - see Reddit for an alternative. As a rule I rarely comment on things because I have long since realised that my thoughts only contribute to the build up of crap.

I imagine that dg on the other hand reads nearly all the comments. You have a much clearer idea of what people are saying that I do and I enjoy your occasional analysis. If people are offended by it then that is their lookout. (And maybe yours too.)

Small Turtle Thing | 13.05.16 - 10:40 a.m. | #

Speak your mind, DG, why don't you? Come on, spit it out!

B | 13.05.16 - 10:58 a.m. | #

I'm with Tim F. As long as the comments stream doesn't head into open abuse or completely off-topic stuff, it's a good sign that people engage. If it's becoming a real irritant, you could disable comments or pre-approve them (that's very time-consuming and un-spontateous, though). I'd still read in either event.

Disliking your most engaged readers = not a good sign.

David | 13.05.16 - 11:04 a.m. | #

Since the birth of the Comment Value Hierarchy, there appears to have been an increased focus on the strict relevance of comments to that day's post. Plus critique of those who stray "off topic". All of which leaves a slightly bad smell on some days.

I prefer to read all views - however meandering or tangential they can be - rather than more of the "Well done DG" .. "Don't know where you get the time DG" .. "Really well written DG" variety.

And - as I've pointed out before - the comments page does invite us to "please empty your brain below"

Frank F | 13.05.16 - 11:08 a.m. | #

TBH I've been a bit miffed about being taken to task and snipped other occasions, so I'm firmly in favour of relaxing the rules a bit !

I thought it was quite in order to mention encryption/subscription yesterday because DG's original post seemed to lament the decrease of quality BBC TV programming, funding shortfalls and government interference; IMHO replacing the licence fee with a well thought through subscription system would solve all these problems.

Perhaps the Comment Value Hierarchy and the OFF-TOPIC KLAXON should be suspended for a trial period? Sadly, they do seem a wee bit pretentious, and their over-zealous use can make the comments section feel more like DG's Panopticon...

Obviously it's DG's blog and he can take his football home with him, but as it's a high quality blog with high quality readers I rather doubt that the odd bit of meandering would cause the sky to fall in.

Gerry | 13.05.16 - 12:00 p.m. | #

LOUD NOISES!

Gladys | 13.05.16 - 12:36 p.m. | #

I really am wondering why everybody is getting so het up. DG writes a really interesting blog, almost all the time. Many people read it and some comment. Surely provided the comment is related to the topic of the day and is not abusive, that should be sufficient. I agree that an element of conversation is a good thing because sometimes it widens the topic and provides more information and/or amusement which I guess is why people read blogs. I draw the line at yesterday's contributor who called another contributor a 'dick', rude and totally unnecessary.

Rather confused | 13.05.16 - 12:52 p.m. | #

Completely agree with Leuconoe and Cornish Cockney. I often read the comments and if they get tedious or embarrassing I stop reading them. Simple. Just please don't stop blogging the way you have for so long DG. I know your style has drifted over the years but the posts are never 'samey' and very rarely boring. BS'M' is an icon. In 30 years' time the blog will be the subject of a PhD and in 200 years' time it will be a national treasure of a view on London Life and thought.

Herbof | 13.05.16 - 1:24 p.m. | #

@Herbof
"in 200 years' time it will be a national treasure of a view on London Life and thought"

Indeed - DG: a "Dr Giohnson" de nos jours. (and technology allows him to be his own Boswell)

@Debster/Antipodean/Michael
"everything is better with Kittens"
What's good enough for Samuel Johnson....
http://www.barryoneoff.co.uk/hodge_001640.jpg
https://www.flickr.com/photos/karieandrob/3731805773

timbo | 13.05.16 - 1:58 p.m. | #

It aint broke DG....

Thanks.

Chris | 13.05.16 - 3:28 p.m. | #

Treat articles and comments separately. I read a blog because of the articles, not comments. Professional comments like those on London Reconnections should always be seen as bonus.

Patrickov | 13.05.16 - 4:11 p.m. | #

Gerry - the OFF-TOPIC KLAXON has only sounded three times this year. Two of those were for you.

That's not "over-zealous" use, that's careful targeting.

diamond geezer | Homepage | 13.05.16 - 7:04 p.m. | #

Several votes for kittens there DG ...

Debster | 13.05.16 - 7:30 p.m. | #

I live on the west bank of 'the big pond'. Began reading DG to keep up with London Underground. Became addicted. Then discovered Comments, and now read them all too..daily. And it's a lot of fun.

Colesville Garth | 13.05.16 - 10:18 p.m. | #











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