Today, the Guy behind the Curtain and I had a palaver. I can be a tough sell at times. I am also "rules averse," preferring maximum freedom for discussion and the sharing of thoughts. After about 15 minutes, he convinced me of the wisdom of his suggestions.
Moderation words and phrases
We have decided to tweak our moderation words/phrases a bit in order to allow for more seamless discussion. At the same time, we, along with other blogs, are receiving a large number of spam comments each day which attempt to bypass our moderation by using alternative spellings for banned words. These spammers are disgusting and their comments will often direct people to porn sites.
Bypassing moderated words and phrases
We kindly ask that all of you not use alternative spelling to bypass the moderation queue. We know it is frustrating to wait on approvals but we are asking for your patience. If you continue to use the alternate spelling, we will have no choice but to put ALL of your comments in moderation. That is guaranteed to be a frustrating experience.
If you have questions about our moderation, please send us emails to discuss it. Please do not discuss it in the comment thread. Those types of comments will be deleted in the future.
Dominating discussions by sheer volume
Also, we would ask that everybody watch the number of comments per thread. If you approach 15-20% of the comments, contemplate if the conversation is now being dominated by you. Sometimes, it is OK for that to happen when it draws many people into the conversation. However, at other times, a preponderance of comments from one source can cause the conversation to become stifled.
I hope you do not think we are becoming legalistic or uncaring in our approach. Please feel free to email us with your concerns. We are always open to critique. This blog is about you, not us. Unfortunately we have to deal with the problems behind the scenes. Thank yoy for being so supportive of us!
Slightly tangential, but here’s one I thought of the other day.
From time to time – not often – you get targeted by a troll whose only purpose is to stir up trouble. I’m thinking in particular of a certain Wax Jacketed Wayne who dominated one particular discussion with transparent and increasingly desperate attempts to create hate (his own word).
What about having a “zoo” column, to run in parallel with “My Comment was Deleterated”, in which trolls can be exhibited? It was beyond the individual’s power or authority to make us hate, but at least we could have had a good laugh.
Here’s hoping this post doesn’t count as one of your weekly three! 🙂
Nick Bulbeck wrote:
That is hilarious! 😆
@ TW: We are committed to three posts per week, with additional posts when warranted.
Looking forward to our upcoming discussions. 🙂
@ TW:It does not and you are too kind.
formerly anonymous wrote:
This has play.
Thank you for taking the time to share the new rules with us. I would also add that when one or two people dominate a comment thread, a lot of people hesitate to comment- I know I do. It takes a lot more courage for me to start typing in the comment box than it does others. Don’t get me wrong – I value the thoughts of the long-time commenters here but sometimes its the new guys who prompt deep thought.
@ Mandy: Thank you for your feedback. I perceived that might be an issue.
@ Mandy: I really appreciate your saying this, and know it took some courage.
Please feel free to let me know – in comments or off-list – if I’ve gone too far. Stomping on other people is the last thing I want to do here. (Having been stomped on myself, by many different people in the so-called “church.”) It took decades – and the advent of the internet – for me to find that I have a voice and that it’s OK to use it.
But sometimes I think that I use that voice a little too much.
Dee,
Thanks again for providing me a guest post, this time “exobiology”. I found the comments on sci-fi particular interesting and found my ancient copy of The CS Lewis Ransom trilogy and read them. I also came across my copy of the Screwtape Letters. “Screwtape proposes as toast” seems even more relevant now than when Lewis wrote it. Having done a few of these I stand in awe of Deb and your ability to produce 1 or 2 substantial articles a week.
I have thoughts on two more possible guest posts. First, one on the new biology, genomics. While I am most definitely not a biologist, I think a little history concerning how rapidly this field is developing and a discussion of how it could impact us as people is in order. Nothing in the next 20+ years is likely to have the moral, thus religious, impact as genomics.
Second would be a followup on Todd Wood, featured in CT July/Aug 2012 and my first guest post, to examine if he has made any progress towards using genomics to support the literal interpretation of the Noah’s Ark passages in Genesis.
I announce my thoughts in the hope that someone more expert than I might desire to tackle these topics, particularly the modern biology one.
I am using this forum as comments on posts of the TWW home page apparently are now blocked. I assume this is also part of tightening up moderation.
Dee and Deb,
Just wanted, again, to thank you for your efforts with your blog.
We just started a new homeschool year. A few of my kids are behind, and we have a lot of work to bring them up to speed. However, this time last year I was utterly incapable of dealing with it after our abusive church experience. I credit your blog, among others, with helping me to heal emotionally. This year I am stronger, more capable, and we started school off at full throttle.
I just want you to know what a difference you’ve made in my life, and, by extension, the lives of my entire family.
Deebs / GBTC – now that I think about it, I don’t think I’ve ever actually stated how much I appreciate your efforts in an important, unpaid and oft-attacked area of ministry. Every blessing to you all.
I should probably take the point about over-commenting. I’ve just counted the comments on the “Accusations of gossip” thread and, through poorly-understood quantum effects, 113% of them are mine.
I read here often but have never commented. Just had to say…palaver! what a great word! Had to look it up.
I just want to echo Nick and Mandy: thanks for all the time and effort that you invest into this ministry, Deb and Dee!
What a blessing to have such blog problems!
I’ll bet there’s a lot of Christian bloggers who would love to have someone…anyone…comment on their blogs.
Amen, Janey.
I love the Zoo post idea!! I may have to steal it. I finally decided to “allow” a Calvinist debate and created a post so that everyone could have at it there and keep it there. Why didn’t I think of it before? It’s got close 860+ comments. I’m pretty sure the Calvin debate will not be settled on my blog, but there it is just in case. ha!
Nick Bulbeck wrote:
Our Möbius threading module sometimes confuses the counts for non admins. See here for more details:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6bius_strip
oldJohnJ wrote:
I’m confused. What exactly is not working on the home page? We’ve never had the ability to post comments there unless it was hidden from me.
Please reply via the Contacting Us in the menu bar under the castle at the top of the page.
@ GuyBehindtheCurtain:
I meant to say commenting on pages NOT accessed from the home page (example my exobiology guest post) seem to be blocked. Apologies for not saying what I really wanted to the first time.
I read a comment years ago that encouraged believers not to offer a comment on every subject. It seemed like good advise and has served me well over the years. “A fool utters all his mind; but a wise man keeps most matters to himself.” Too often, I have been that fool.
@ Randall Slack:
or, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.”
Abraham Lincoln
you are superstars, D & D. That’s my new all-purpose word for totally awesome people I love.
GuyBehindtheCurtain wrote:
One advantage of having said Moebius threading module certainly is that in every comment thread, both sides of the matter will come up. Great!
oldJohnJ wrote:
Actually it has nothing to do with the home page. We automatically block comments on a post after 90 days. 99.99% of the comments at that point are SPAM.
If you want to contact us off topic, just use the Contact Us link in the menu bar. And we can open up comments for a brief period if needed for you or someone to clarify a point.
Thanks
GBTC
Janey wrote:
Ain’t that the truth.
Yours sincerely,
Billy No-Mates
@ GuyBehindtheCurtain:
Yes, I’m familiar with Mobius Strips, since the Cambridge inner ring-road is one.
Nick Bulbeck wrote:
That sounds like the road system in Atlanta. 🙂
@ gus:
Just noticed that one. Brilliant!
Nick Bulbeck wrote:
Not bad either, this one!