I am aware that I posted yesterday in a way that some might think was a little intemperate, or even inappropriate, because what I expressed was frustration with those who posted here, all of them acting in good faith, which I entirely accept. The post did, then, reflect my frustration, and not blame, and I apologise for that.
Saying so, what I might ask is that you put yourself in my situation. Most people know what it is like to face an email inbox that feels as if it is overflowing, where the volume of incoming mail always appears to be greater than that which can be dealt with, and every single email does require consideration at the very least, and, on many occasions, a reply.
That is how I felt yesterday morning. Having gone out for coffee to take time to think, I was distracted by the need to clear comments on the blog, most of which demanded some action from me, or at least a reply.
I have previously flagged the problem with comments on the blog. It is not unknown for me to spend up to 4 hours a day dealing with them, which, without exception, people have described as an unacceptable burden.
The issue arose because three weeks ago, when I admitted to being fatigued. It turned out I almost certainly had Covid at that time. My health has undoubtedly improved since, and the immediate symptoms are gone, but I do admit that the fatigue persists despite having had most of the last week off.
Before taking that break, I had hoped to put in place the new comment system we have been working on, part of which is being seen in the new comment editor interface, which is available to everyone now.
However, problems arose with doing that. Partly, that was because of the IT issues I encountered the week before I went away.
In addition, I did not have time to write the necessary instructions for using the new system. That meant I could not invite anyone who had volunteered to become a moderator.
But, most of all, the delay was because I tried the new system using my wife, Jacqueline, as a potential alternative moderator, and as experience quickly proved, that task was almost impossible for her to undertake. Despite the fact that she is very familiar with the content of this blog and the way in which I think, so many of the comments were directed at me, or sought my opinion, that the number she was able to deal with was very low, and the number she had to refer to me was very high, meaning that no greater advantage was obtained by trying to have her moderate the comments made, and we ended up thinking that this would be true within the current system, whoever took on this role on a voluntary basis.
Because I did not have time to address these issues, I came away with the existing moderation system in place, and yesterday morning, I felt as though I reached a breaking point with it. My frustration is simply explained. Because of the time that I'm spending on blog comments, I do not have time to create the new content that I want to work on, and the ideas that will deliver a politics of care. There is, then, a direct conflict between the comments on this blog and the political narrative I always hoped it might create.
As a result, I now appreciate two things. The first is that the comments that should be permitted on here must be of the type often made by commentators like PSR, Andrew, Clive Parry, RobertJ, Andrew Broadbent, Mark Meldon and Andrew Dickie. There are a few others I suspect I could add to the list. Their comments always share a number of characteristics.:
- They are intended to add to the debate, and they do so.
- As a consequence, they develop the ideas being discussed in the way that a good comment letter to a newspaper might also do.
- They take remarkably little moderation because, although they are valuable, I rarely feel a need to comment upon them because they are complete within themselves.
- They make little demand on me.
I also happen to think that these are the most valuable comments received. It would be relatively straightforward for these comments to continue to be moderated, and not necessarily by me.
In contrast, those comments that seek a response, ask a question (the answer to which could usually be easily found elsewhere, including in this blog's glossary), or which tell me what I should do, are very much more difficult to manage. I would like to think that, in all cases, those commenting are genuine, but they leave me with a genuine dilemma: I have to decide whether to spend time dealing with the questions a particular commentator raises or get on with my core work.
For the sake of my own well-being, I think I now have to decide that my own work comes first and that these other comments be deleted or dealt with elsewhere. This will require that the comment rules be rewritten here, which could be done quite quickly, and is something that I propose to do next week, at the latest.
This then leaves the question of where those seeking to discuss issues or ask questions might go. This was discussed here, two or three weeks ago. The desire seemed to be to create a bulletin board system, as some people objected to the glaringly obvious solution, which is a private Facebook group, which is something I have seen work well in many organisations.
Thomas and I did, as a result, look at bulletin boards and form software. The best we came up with was this, called Create Forum, but to be candid, it looks like hard work, would require a lot of moderation (at least initially) and may not be that easy to use. We think Facebook would be better, for all its faults (and we live in an imperfect world) and would be easier for people to use, not least because most people are familiar with it. We also feel that we have no time to run either option if we are to progress core work, and I know no one else who now tries to offer what I have done, but no longer feel able to do.
There is one other point to make. On an average day, there are well over 10,000 users on the blog, and maybe 100 commentators. I do, of course, know that some visitors come to read the comments. Equally, many do not. I want to keep the blog going for the many who read it, but never comment, and feel it would be inappropriate for the comments to bring my desire to continue doing that to an end.
As a result, I am seeking your opinion. So, two polls:
Loading ... Loading ...Thank you, as I need to resolve this, or this blog ceases to be viable.
Feel free to comment. I may not respond.
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Buy me a coffee!
Please make taking care of yourself and your team your priority.
It is suggested that not all questions need to be answered by you as questions can be, and are, a language structure by which comments are presented as “open” contributions.
Agree! Not all comments need to be answered. Most people (me) do NOT except a response from you. However, I do like it when my comments bring up debate points and are commented on by other participants of this blog.
This is a result of the success and growth of the blog. It’s become a vital part of debate on the left and we must seek to grow further and make it part of the national debate. Your time is too valuable to answer every post. Maybe invite some of the names you mention to help moderation? I do feel you try too hard and as a result there is a lot of repetition.
A Facebook group is a great idea. Your posts could go on there but you needn’t get involved in the discussion. We can then discuss and, more importantly, share the content (although I regularly post your blogs on my fb feed) and invite friends to join. Fb is the best way to produce organic growth.
Facebook and all Meta apps are a no-go area for me sadly
I also eschew Facebook. I feel moral injury in relation to using it.
Your blog;
your life;
your decision.
“Lang may your lum reek.”
I was going to say something similar….. but your comment is better than I would have managed.
🙂
I think I’d use a bulletin board system – it’s interesting to see how other readers react to your posts, and I hope you’d end up with a system that continues to allow you to understand how your ideas are being received. However, I have on principle never used Facebook and have no intention of changing that.
I wonder whether something like a sub Reddit may be the way to go, with some of your aforementioned trusted regulars moderating it.
It’s very common on sub Reddits to have very strict rules on what types of posts are allowed, and on many of them, they are strictly enforced. Take https://www.reddit.com/r/LegalAdviceUK/ as an example. On busy comment moderated posts it’s quite common to see 2/3 of the comments removed. Being on a platform like Reddit would likely also boost traffic and engagement.
I saw your post yesterday and I was concerned by it, and some of the other recent posts in a similar vein. Please prioritise your own health and wellbeing above all else, else you may burn out.
You have likely already heard of autistic burnout, but if not, please tread carefully. It can sneak up on you and then just snap. It’s not like neurotypical burnout, it can cause lasting damage and reduction in capabilities, sensory tolerance, ability to manage social contact etc. That combined with chronic illness or viruses like COVID can wreak havoc. Through a combination of neurodivergent burnout and chronic illness I’m not the same person I was 6 years ago.
The fact that you are struggling with the comments etc here is a measure of success. You’ve built something which continues to grow, and now it needs to evolve such that others can pick it up and run with it.
1) Reddit is hard to use IMO and has a toxic reputation
2) I know about autistic burnout and the risk. I am taking action
3) Evolution happens
I also thought your response was intemperate. You are/were clearly stressed/over-burdened.
The “issue” arose because you felt obliged to put out a video, you didn’t have a new one, so you used an old one and it had an out of date number. People, in good faith (not trolls), pointed this out. You were frustrated – probably at yourself.
Making policy decisions that will alter the “feel and tone” (built up over years) in response to this may not be the best thing to do. Perhaps give yourself and your IT time to reach normal levels.
Your blog is a bit collective. The interactions with comments can often be interesting themselves. I suspect it helps hone your ideas or presentation — though not where folk haven’t made any effort to check the obvious.
Can you do less “stuff” and focus on quality. Clearly a MUST. There may be other ways to spread the load.
However, before setting changes in stone, please ask yourself: Why feel obliged to push out a video when already pushed for time? What might be lost by changing the existing “community”?
Two answers:
A) Why do we feel obliged to push out a video when already pushed for time? Because 1) people expect them 2) YouTube punishes you if you break the pattern c) we need an income stream
B) What might be lost by changing the existing “community”? I cannot continue what’s unsustainable. Please be realistic.
I propose that you handle this in a similar way to others who have a significant internet following. When I look at others that I follow such as George Monbiot and Jason Hickel, they are very selective about which comments they choose to respond to, but that doesn’t mean they don’t read them all or don’t see value in having those comments shared publically, even when they criticise the author.
So there’s no need for a bulletin board. Allow all comments to be published, as long as they don’t violate decency rules, etc. Don’t feel you need to comment or respond to any questions – in fact the default should be that you don’t. If you choose to respond to a specific comment that’s fine, but we should assume that you won’t. Consider all suggestions and questions to be inputs that feed in to your ongoing thoughts and which don’t require an immediate response.
I think you’ve been somewhat unique in the level of interactivity that you have provided with your followers. It’s been appreciated, but is clearly unsustainable. It’s appropriate to reduce your time spent on this to allow your other work to proceed.
Sorry, but this is naive and presumptive – precisely the sport of comment that is aggravating
This typifies it:
“ Allow all comments to be published, as long as they don’t violate decency rules, etc”
In other words, carry on moderating everything – and there is a lot that is toxic.
Under a new comment policy this would have been deleted
My apologies. You invited opinions and I thought I was making constructive suggestions, but it seems they haven’t come across this way.
The last thing I want is to cause you more stress and aggravation, so I’ll stay silent in future. Best wishes.
Your comment came across as instruction without taking stated facts into account. That was the problem with it. It felt like you were saying “you’re just wrong”.
Your frustration is perfectly understandable. While answers/comments to my comments are always appreciated, they are not necessary. Also, if I state something that you feel does not add to the blog entry, it should not be published. Only someone with a massive ego feels that every comment of theirs needs to be published and acknowledged.
It should also not be forgotten that there are people who will comment just to rile others up. Silence is the best answer to them.
A separately managed discussion forum would be a fine addition to your output. There, someone else can take over the moderation, leaving you to this blog and other output.
We all have our limits, both physically and mentally. You reached yours the other day.
I hope your holiday helps you to recover and you take as many breaks as you need.
Richard –
Firstly, thanks again for providing this resource. It is very valuable not just for the content of each blog, but also for the comments which can be expansive and illuminating.
You recently indicated that you might take on some trusted people to moderate the comments prior to posting in your stead, what with you only having the standard issue single pair of hands and all that. This is a fantastic idea. Please do this.
Another route you could take would be to try not to respond to comments. I suspect this might feel like anathema to you, however you aren’t under any obligation to engage with people who either haven’t done (or won’t do) their homework, or who are simply looking to pursue a different, usually neoliberal, agenda. The blog posts you make are clear. You have a talent for taking subjects which financial professionals would rather remained mired in impenetrable language/terminology and making it accessible to anyone with an adult reading age. My point being – you’ve usually been perfectly clear in your blog posts. You shouldn’t take it on yourself to be everyone’s Mum in the comments section! Besides, there are usually plenty of regular contributors who can answer genuine enquiries from other commentators just as well as you can.
Write your blogs, make your videos, present them here then let the chips fall where they may. There will always be those who seek to disrupt the message and deny the truth, but life’s to short to drain that swamp. Just keep doing what you’re doing and let that which you cannot control slide.
Nil illegitema carberundum and all that 🙂
I read this blog and all comments every day, though don’t have the specialist knowledge to add much to debate. I’m so sorry this has become such a burden, and I understand that it clearly needs to change, especially as the need for your ideas becomes more urgent. The engagement of commentators up to this point has been really crucial in creating a community and I would be sad to see that go. For that reason I have voted for facebook despite my reservations. It can be useful when used carefully and largely for information – my algorithm has proved to be a good source both political and cultural events – I don’t have experience of facebook groups though.
Thanks
Oh, Richard, please don’t apologise! Suggestions to consider, for publication or not as you see fit (as always, but you know what I mean):
1. Close all comments – at midnight, (or 24 hours after posting). Moderate the next morning for dross and/or ideas, then avoid until the next set in the next morning. And some topics (*economic philosophers*, for example) could have “no comments” on the blog – and discussion diverted to whichever forum you choose, but which **you** will not moderate!
2. Your glossary is brilliant, but adding a reference library (useful websites) could eliminate some questions and/or provide copy-and-paste URLs as answers. Lots of MMT sites/ Facebook groups have them. Alternatively, URLs could be attached to many glossary entries (“further reading”)
3. A blog policy of “no discussion”, use Facebook or another forum for discussion, just as you don’t moderate YouTube comments. Admins / moderators to be **pro-active**, so several would be required. Use entry questions to reduce malefactors. Facebook allows all posters to be pre-moderated, too.
I discussed your dilemma with my son: “Children grow up and have their own life. Cut the apron-strings, they will always love you if you brought them up well.”
Noted
Some years ago now I taught myself how to say “no”, which was really a very hard thing to do as I’m naturally inclined to help people solve problems in my work life. Once I realised that it is actually fine to say “I don’t do mortgages any more” for example, or “You need to talk to this person about that, not me” several burdens were lifted from my shoulders and I was able to concentrate on work areas that I find the most rewarding, rather than a chore. Another advantage in learning to say no was that I gave myself more time to do some of the other things that are more important than “work”. Spending more time with family members, or pursuing my arcane interest in seventeenth-century music, for instance.
Whilst I still find it hard to “switch off” completely, because of the “tyranny of email”, that’s OK as I have learnt to manage stress in a much better way without using “props” such as alcohol as far too many seem to do. No longer looking, at all, at “X” since last Christmas has been very beneficial, too!
The thing is, there is only one Richard Murphy, and he has created and curated vast knowledge and experience and has chosen to share that with others, something that I regard as an act of kindness. We need more kindness in this world during our brief time on it, and I really don’t want you to go “Pop”, so do take care and maybe look at trying to do a bit less.
Mark
Genuinely appreciated, and I have always been bad at saying no. I will have to learn, I think.
Richard
Is there a reason why you can’t take a holiday from the blog? It seems perfectly reasonable that you should be able to take a proper break and at times without any cover.
When I did this, traffic declined rapidly and took ages to recover thereafter.
If reach does not matter, traffic decline is no concern, but reach does matter.
Fair but sad point.
The options:
1. Just blog with no comments allowed. This reduces the work load.
2.Blog, but allow restricted comments. Not sure if this will seriously reduces the work load.
3. Blog with a bulletin board; possible but there is still the moderation issue.
3. Facebook: If you use your mobile Meta scrapes your mobile. Not recommended.
Whilst the comments are good to read, my view is that you immediately move to just post the blog with no comments.
This keeps your work open to read online but frees your time.
I am willing to try 2, with other moderators added to the team.
I understand your frustration regarding the comments. I don’t want this to be an echo chamber and difference of opinion is valid and should be welcomed but not when it tips over into trolling or abuse.
Perhaps the Facebook group should be a private one with specific rules that those who join have to agree to. Granted, that may not keep trolls out but it may be better than a public group.
Regards, Craig
I’ve wondered for years now how you’ve managed to do your research, the YouTube videos, other social media posts, and this blog, and now, unsurprisingly, it’s got too much. So although I answered ‘No, but I understand why it may be needed’, you must do what suits you best Richard. If that means no more time spent on comments, so be it.
I’m no fan of FB (nice to see they lost that case in California, let’s hope Meta get hit with a pile of lawsuits now) but I do have a very infrequently used account, so could use it for your proposed forum, if that’s best for you.
Let’s be frank, most (all?) of those posting here are largely in agreement with you, so you are preaching to the converted here. Getting the word out there about MMT, how money really works, the need for PR etc to a wider public is a more important use of your limited time time.
Thanks
I have deliberately restricted my (marginal at best) comments for the above reasons. Perhaps others could do the same. I know this does not solve the troll issue. I have just had a sustained bout of poor health (RSV/flu followed by chest infection) and it messes with energy, emotion and cognition. Prioritise that which sustains good health.
Thanks
Just to note, I voted yes, and for forum software; very, very unlikely to use Facebook though.
I don’t envy you in trying to decide which way to go. Do what is best for all of you at Funding the Future; your health must come first.
Can I just mention Discord, which can be private or open I believe.
Thanks
I like the idea of a board of some kind. It should definitely not be anything to do with a Meta product of any kind, partly for moral reasons, and partly for don’t-trust-US-companies reasons. I’m sure that like me a large section of your audience don’t have a Facebook account, for one or other of those reasons. Sometimes, you have to be the change you want to see!
As for those comments asking questions they should be able to find answers to themselves, just publish them unanswered, and let the community respond.
Maybe it would help if contributors explain our motivations for sending in our responses. For my part, reason No. 1 is that I admire what you are doing and I want to express support. No. 2 is that sometimes I feel I might have something useful to add to the debate. No. 3 is that occasionally I want to try out an idea that I’m uncertain about and get a reaction from you and/or other contributors. I think perhaps I should wind back on No. 3!
I empathise with your dilemma. It’s appreciated that the Funding the Future blog is a substantively different beast to YouTube and social media channels (FaceBook, LinkedIn, TikTok BlueSky) …….where moderation is not an option, and that is not a problem.
Might one simple option be to limit those posts you open up to comment? And if helpful ‘closed comments’ at the end of day/24 hrs/ or earlier when you feel the need to move on. Some rational follows:
Some of your posts positively encourage comment and open up discussion. Your thoughtful moderation facilitates a rich dialogue. These posts uniquely work on this blog and provide the content that generates the greatest engagement. Essentially posts that bring us (and hopefully you) joy!
Many others blog posts are essentially interesting ‘shares’; with or without comment from yourself. These tend to appear through the day and weekends. Generally such posts do not generate significant comments. Such posts translate most easily to other social media platforms…where comments may be many but repetitive, unmoderated and less read.
Your blog. Your rules.
Noted
Just wondering if any of the regular, informative commentators to your blog would be willing/have time to act as ‘moderators’ in order to sift out the detritus?
I post on a football forum whereby you can only post on a ‘newbie’ forum until you get 10 likes from moderators, and then you can post on the main forum.
I do realise this would take a lot of time and require a good number of moderators. Just a thought.
I have a list who have volunteered.
Let me get the comments policy right first, to give them a chance.
Thanks for your fine work, which is much appreciated. I _would_ like a discussion site and I think a forum is the way to go because you could have separate themes which might in due course reveal the need of more or less moderation (eg a theme for MMT, one for politics, one for economic philosophy, one for the glossary, one for tax, etc). Much easier to organise, shape, control, and to implement tools like “Search”. Unfortunately I think a forum would need a bigger team of moderators and there is the risk that you might get caught up in age verification and user protection. I don’t know which has the bigger workload for data protection in general. I assume that you have, or will, discuss the possible pitfalls with other groups that run user forums? (Perhaps there’s a forum for forum managers?)
Confession: I don’t (and won’t) have a Facebook account.
Noted.
I see your blog as being an educational resource. As such, disallowing outright, comments that seek a response is the equivalent of sending someone out of the classroom. Surely some initial moderation (AI generated?) could redirect such comments to an appropriate bulletin board with a simple reply to that effect.
I comment rarely and only when I feel I have a contribution to make – sometimes a sarcastic observation on the social/political/economic situation your post is about – sometimes an empathetic comment about your situation. I did, once, have an exchange of comments with you when there was something that I took to be contradictory in your explanation. You were clearly irritated by my lack of understanding (but polite) and it helped me to look more deeply into the issue to reach a better understanding. I also read other’s comments which makes me feel part of a community, which I value enormously.
Clearly things have to change to ensure that what you do can continue. If your objective is to stir up action to bring about change (which is clearly stated sometimes) there is bound to be an extent to which the response to that call to action creates further work. That needs to be managed so as not to affect your ability to continue your unique contribution to improving society. But it needs to be done in keeping with the spirit that binds this community you have created. Some of us need more help than others.
Best wishes and good health!
I’ve been reading your blog for over a decade, and I’ve always found it wonderful you can take the time to respond to people’s comments as you have. Now, as you’ve expressed, as the number of subscribers has risen (hurrah!) it’s is not possible to do this and continue doing the work that engenders the comments!
Some kind of forum is a good idea.
Enjoy the rest of your holiday, Richard.
Thanks
Personally I am convinced that it is your work on the politics of care that is vital and anything that gets in the way of this needs to be shed. Tough but vital and just a part of the evolution of this blog. PYou did ask for opinions!
Thank you for all you do, you are an amazing catalyst.
People want to communicate and talk about this stuff, it’s so important, so I will put my time resources to getting a local group together, we can watch your videos, feel inspired and communicate with each other, so that the word spreads, and the narrative changes.
Best wishes to you and FtF team.
Thanks
One option could be to make use of the “hearts” in order to limit the amount of time you spend responding, to some manageable amount of time per week. Instead of answering such comments immediately, every week (e.g.) you could write a post answering just the top questions which have been asked since last week. The number of “hearts” is a reasonable proxy for which questions the community is interested in. It wouldn’t take much effort for a software developer to write a short script to list the comments made within the last week, ordered by the number of hearts (or maybe your blog software can already do this?). Then you can either answer the top N questions, or spend X minutes answering questions. This way your workload is set entirely by you, and not by the volume of comments. Plus, all readers would be able to benefit from your answers to those questions, not just those readers who look at the comment sections.
You are ignoring the moderation required for trolling and abuse.
How about allowing the community to moderate for you?
There are programs that allow readers to upvote and downvote posts.
Posts are constantly adjusted to show the most liked at the top.
Rubbish/spam/offensive posts are pushed to the bottom.
Your job would then be to delete the downvoted posts, if you wanted (this part could maybe be delegated), and reply to the most liked posts if you want.
That makes no sense when the comments are directly aimed at me, as yours is.
Not every question that needs to be asked needs to be answered. Sometimes, interesting questions benefit from being allowed to hang unresolved. It would be a shame to restrict comments to control the narrative too absolutely, especially when common themes recur and questions can be dealt with further down the line, after reflection.
As others have said: your blog, your choice. This was just my twopenn’oth.
[…] light of recent discussions, this is the proposed new comments policy for this blog, the purpose of which is to make my life, […]
[…] posted here yesterday suggested that, overall, a discussion forum is likely to be preferred by those who wish to take […]
Dear Richard,
the reason I found it so hard to stop asking lots of questions is 100% because your answers are always so interesting and because I trust you.
I’m grateful for the extraordinary opportunity I had on this blog to speak personally with someone so knowledgeable.
But you don’t owe us anything.
From my perspective you can change anything you need to or want to. Whatever you decide to do will continue to be hugely valuable, even if it is much much less than you are currently doing. I hope you find a way to take care of yourself.
Gratefully
anja
Thanks
And I am sorry to have to do this but I need recovery time
The main problem you’re having at the moment is the horrendous VOLUME of comments you receive? Am I correct in assuming this?
I certainly learn from reading contributions from commentators who add depth to your topics—often extra information, links, or a statement that makes complicated issues clearer to me. There are a few regular commentators you didn’t mention in the main article, whom I would like to see included in this category: Ian Stephenson, Tampa Bay, etc. And a few others whose viewpoints I trust.
These are people who essentially agree with—and support—your efforts. This is YOUR blog …a place where you expose people to your ideas. This doesn’t need to be a forum for open debate! As others have pointed out, this blog is an extremely valuable collection of information. Debate can be done elsewhere.
It’s a true-ism that if you want things to change you must make changes.
I would suggest the simplest change of all. Just digitally limit the permission to make comments to only those contributors you trust. They add immensely to the content of your blog, but don’t disrupt what you are trying to accomplish. That would free you to pursue as many ideas as you wish, without the burden of moderation.
At worst, this would limit new people from having input, which might annoy some. At best, it would instantly reduce the roar that is depleting your energy down to a very low hum. This extra peace would not only give you freedom to continue to pursue the ideas you explore on this blog, but would also allow you (and your team) space to work out better ways of dealing with comments. Nothing is set in stone, but this would be a start.
Agreed with you stopping commenting on comments.
I have some social experience, but it may be out of date. I see the glossary link below each blog, but it links to the full glossary. Would a blog get any ‘social credit’ by having the glossary link, link to the actual items raised in the blog. So if readers want more info, they click on the glossary link and are presented with a short edited list of items related to that blog?
Spend more time for yourself, or researching more by not answering. How about a regular live stream on YouTube where we can ask you questions? Gary Stevenson does this and it seems to work.
Every issue raised is hyperlinked to the glossary entry in every post now.