7 Responses to “CdM Today Poll of the Week”
Comments
August 6th, 2012
To show support for the Daily Pilot's switch to FB-only comments I have converted my 3 blogs accordingly. I had experimented with user registration, but I always suspected it discouraged casual comments, not so with FB comments. To me this is a bigger issue; it's not an arbitrary technical change – it's a move towards shifting our public discourse into a more constructive direction. Turn on the TV, the radio, or read the comments here on this site and you'll see and hear opinions that tend to black and white positions on any of the important issues of the day. Whether this is tea party influenced or not, I believe that as the pendulum of political discourse swings, we'll eventually move away from our in-your-face stands on major challenges that face our nation, our communities, and we'll eventually re-learn that a more conciliatory approach yields better outcomes for society. Taking responsibility for our points of view could be a baby step in this evolution towards a more constructive society. We'll still argue, but the dialog might be more restrained and as a result it might become a little easier to hear our neighbor's point of view.
August 6th, 2012
How about using both options?
August 6th, 2012
By the way I am very unlikely to "share" cdmtoday articles because of the current anonymous comment feature. But I would be much more likely to share the same articles if the comment feature was the FB platform.
August 6th, 2012
Reply to
August 6, 2012
To show support for the Daily Pilot's switch to FB-only comments I have converted my 3 blogs accordingly. I had experimented with user registration, but I always suspected it discouraged casual comments, not so with FB comments. To me this is a bigger issue; it's not an arbitrary technical change – it's a move towards shifting our public discourse into a more constructive direction. Turn on the TV, the radio, or read the comments here on this site and you'll see and hear opinions that tend to black and white positions on any of the important issues of the day. Whether this is tea party influenced or not, I believe that as the pendulum of political discourse swings, we'll eventually move away from our in-your-face stands on major challenges that face our nation, our communities, and we'll eventually re-learn that a more conciliatory approach yields better outcomes for society. Taking responsibility for our points of view could be a baby step in this evolution towards a more constructive society. We'll still argue, but the dialog might be more restrained and as a result it might become a little easier to hear our neighbor's point of view.
I know many of my commenters do not use Facebook, and therefore I may lose their input. I struggle with that element, and also being reliant on FB. I also tend to let crazy comments stand because I'm of the opinion that it's better to know what people are thinking than to silence them -- but there are times I fear I go too far and sometimes have regrets. It's a very, very big concern of mine and I may be making changes.
August 6th, 2012
I'm glad to hear you are concerned. Too many comments seem to have an intent of inflaming prejudice and negative emotional reactions; dare I say hate? The accountability of identifying who you are can only lead to more civility. Likely that would lead to an upward trend of more healthy communication.
August 6th, 2012
Having to sign in is a pain in the neck. and I don't "do" Facebook. I've only posted on the Pilot a couple of times. Too complicated. I will probably stop posting here if you switch. I'm sure that will please many people, as it's better to silence any opposition or alternative viewpoint to that promoted by the power brokers. My business is out of state anyway and I've been spending more time there anyway. So I guess things will just return to the way it was a few years ago when there was no public voice other than to be published in the Daily Pilot editorial letters, or go to City Council meetings, which I just don't have time to do. If I didn't have such a huge investment here I wouldn't waste my time. But the events and occasionally idiotic actions of local government or pseudo governmental special interest groups affect my property values and this is the only venue we have to express an opinon.
August 6th, 2012
Reply to
August 6, 2012
I'm glad to hear you are concerned. Too many comments seem to have an intent of inflaming prejudice and negative emotional reactions; dare I say hate? The accountability of identifying who you are can only lead to more civility. Likely that would lead to an upward trend of more healthy communication.
One of hundreds of details I'm concerned about daily. I wish I believed Facebook was the solution.
