There have been many new commentators in this blog of late and the vast majority have been very welcome. Some however seem to be unaware that there is a moderation policy, available here. And some have an unusual style, as was evidenced yesterday. In that case let me explain some basic rules of etiquette that apply here even if they don't universally.
First, this blog is a spare time activity. I may produce a lot and respond to a great many comments a day but it's done in my spare time. Yesterday's blogging started at about 6am when I arrived at Ely station to go to Brussels and was pretty much done by the time I was heading out of St Pancras.
After that there was work done on three separate papers (involving quite a bit of data analysis and several thousand words written), liaison with two journalists, discussion with colleagues on a conference paper for next year and a two hour parliament hearing. I got back home a bit before 10. I admit I snuck in a snooze on the way. I know: it was slothful of me.
In that schedule commentators who are obstreperous, demand attention, question my professional integrity and who also post comments so far removed from current thinking that an essay length response would be required are not going to get fulsome replies, partly because they're irritating, and that's boring, but mainly because I know they won't change their mind whatever I say given their aggressive starting point.
So please feel free to comment, but note that some moderation helps. There are long term dissenters from my opinions who still appear here because they do it with some respect. That I am happy with: I have many warm blooded friends (as opposed to social media ones) where the basis of the friendship is political difference. That's because in those cases the simple fact is that despite the differences we respect each other. And I only get really fed up when people arrive here and offer abuse. I won't put up with that in non-social media life. And I won't here either.
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we are grateful for all you do, Richard.
I note that on occasion you do not put my more angry posts and to be frank I’m really grateful that you take the time to do this!!
🙂
I’ve only been blogging since the referendum and I must say that the most depressing part of this is seeing the incredibly rude and abusive posts that individuals put up routinely. On the unmoderated sites, I see extraordinary statements which really do not help progressing a discussion in any way whatever. Sadly, moderation is essential (unless, of course, you know the individual concerned or have enough experience of their contributions to trust them to be reasonably sane). Careful and thoughtful moderation really does improve the quality and reputation of the blogger. Keep up the good work!
I agree
And more than 90% of all comments get on here
The time wasters realise they are wasting their time in the end
Second all the above comments. Its the only blog I come to daily because I know that the debate will be civilised.
Even if Richard does have the odd grumpy day, we know its probably justified!
Hw dare you say I can be grumpy 🙂
Yes you are a bit grumpy sometimes (says me the ‘teapot’).
But its part of your charm and what keeps me coming back anyway.
There is no harm in being growled at by someone who actually knows what he is talking about for a change in my view anyway. Not these days that’s for sure.
Thanks. Appreciated
Yes, thanks again Richard for all your inspiration, time and hard-work. Moderating must be an arduous and sometimes thankless task. But it’s essential to maintain the integrity of such a site where not only do you write serious & thought-provoking articles but also attract a wide-range of excellent comment. There are so many crass readers’ comments in the Guardian these days I’ve given up on them. The rude idiots know who they are!
Long ago a Guardian columnist told me no one who writes for the paper ever reads the comments on their work – sanity prevents it!
There was a time when I often thought you found more insight in the BTL comments on the Guardian than in many of the articles. Probably not any more, though not because the articles have markedly improved. Too many trolls, windup merchants and talking point wallahs nowadays.
A few years back, at a conference on the impact of social media, the chap who ran the Telegraph website told me that however bad you thought the comments were that got through, the stuff they had to filter out was way worse. A thankless task