What's your opinion of online comments on newspaper website articles?

[skygazer]

Most, if not all newspapers now allow readers to leave comments about the articles - what's your opinion on that? For me, I honestly don't see the point. It's supposed (I assume) to generate debate about the topic but more often than not, it seems to allow anonymous people to post mean-spirited and offensive remarks. This is especially offensive when they're talking about someone who was killed and I see that all the time.

What made me think of it was an article about a bicyclist who was killed by a reckless driver in an SUV - some of the comments about the bicyclist were just really disgusting.

[Kali]

1. yes, I agree

makes GD and GDP look positively tame and civilized, eh?:rofl:

[GoCubsGo]

2. I don't like them

In addition to being mean-spirited, they are also another vehicle for spreading right-wing lies and talking points. My local paper prints a "Talkback" section that does the same thing. The online version has a comments section, too, for double the "fun." I don't like them, and they serve no real purpose. If someone wants to comment, they should get off their lazy asses and write a letter to the editor.

[bif]

3. I totally agree

People treat each other like crap in those forums. I even see it a lot on youtube music videos! What's up with that? Racist, ignorant comments. I try not to look at them.

[SoxFan]

4. Flypaper for cranks

The local daily has a comments section for every story. Every car wreck has to include speculation about alcohol, drugs, poorly maintained roads, or, when the Free Staters show up, how the police were somehow to blame.

The political stories are just a festival of nuttery, since it's mostly cranky tea party types who carpet bomb the comments section.

[KamaAina]

5. Who knew there were that many racist fuckwads in the world?

Or that they knew how to use computers?! :wtf:

[Swede]

6. Youtube comments are horrible,also.

Sickening folks out there.

[mreilly]

7. Nearly useless

Boston.com allows comments on the articles and letters to the editor and these are by and large almost completely pointless. It's just the delusional rantings and ravings of ditto-monkeys who have no life. They screech the latest nonsense they've heard on talk radio, sob and moan about Obama (without ever being able to factually clarify why they hate him so much), wail about the alleged "liberal bias" of the Boston Globe, which is affiliated with the site, and in general completely pollute the feedback section with their fecal matter.

Debating with them has no value. Facts are calmly pointed out; the ditto-monkeys just keep screeching and hurling lies and venom. It's one big playground with the nastiest kids ganging up together. In short, they've managed to take what might be a good concept - legitimate discussion and examination of issues among parties with a variety of viewpoints - and ruin it by bullying, shouting down and shrieking at anyone who says anything they don't like.

Me, I live by the concept that "debating with idiots makes you an idiot as well."

[AngryOldDem]

8. Most stories on the news site I frequent say...

"Reader comment not being accepted on this story."

That about says it all.

And the comments people post on other stories are just as tasteless and derogatory, which makes the whole thing pretty much useless.

[cyberswede]

9. Mostly infuriating.

I can't even read them. I turn them off an any and all sites possible. :)