Comments on: Video: Scoble Tells the Comment Trolls To Go Back to Digg http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/ Startup and Technology News Fri, 05 Dec 2008 02:46:26 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.5 By: Sascha http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2424875 Sascha Thu, 31 Jul 2008 01:17:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2424875 I want to add a couple of thoughts, which might or might not have been already mentioned by previous commenters (which would ironically illustrate one of my points): You forgot to mention the one big thing that has changed over time: VOLUME, both volume of comments as well as volume of blog postings. Let me explain: - I remember the days when I was posting a comment on TC or CG and was one of a few commenters. The comments were usually short and to the point, often funny, and you saw the same names coming up a lot. It felt intimate, like a small community of commenters. - Nowadays I rarely post comments on either TC or CG, mostly because I don't think you can get through the other hundreds of comments anymore. Five minutes after a blog post has been publicized at least 75 people whose fulltime job it seems to be to post comments on blogs have already replied to it by the time I open it, some with essay-long replies (and yes I know I'm not doing any better here). - The sheer volume of comments being written makes it impossible to get involved in a conversation. At the time of writing this comment the text of the comments is about 17 times as long as the original posting, which means instead of spending 2 minutes to read the post and comment on it you would have to spend over half an hour to get through it. That's more than the average person wants to spend on a post. - And this is not even one of the blog posts with a lot of comments. Especially on TC the number of comments goes quickly into the hundreds in a matter of hours, it's simply too much and overwhelming. - Last but not least the number of blog postings itself has increased so much that even though I am only subscribed to around 20 blogs and I read blogs every day I am still 7 days behind by now. By the time I get to a post and comment on it, the story is already "cold" and nobody is going to read my comment on it anyway. And even if, I'm definitely not coming back to check for replies on my comment, since I'm still trying to catch up with the other 337 unread blog posts from the last days. I want to add a couple of thoughts, which might or might not have been already mentioned by previous commenters (which would ironically illustrate one of my points):

You forgot to mention the one big thing that has changed over time: VOLUME, both volume of comments as well as volume of blog postings. Let me explain:
- I remember the days when I was posting a comment on TC or CG and was one of a few commenters. The comments were usually short and to the point, often funny, and you saw the same names coming up a lot. It felt intimate, like a small community of commenters.
- Nowadays I rarely post comments on either TC or CG, mostly because I don’t think you can get through the other hundreds of comments anymore. Five minutes after a blog post has been publicized at least 75 people whose fulltime job it seems to be to post comments on blogs have already replied to it by the time I open it, some with essay-long replies (and yes I know I’m not doing any better here).
- The sheer volume of comments being written makes it impossible to get involved in a conversation. At the time of writing this comment the text of the comments is about 17 times as long as the original posting, which means instead of spending 2 minutes to read the post and comment on it you would have to spend over half an hour to get through it. That’s more than the average person wants to spend on a post.
- And this is not even one of the blog posts with a lot of comments. Especially on TC the number of comments goes quickly into the hundreds in a matter of hours, it’s simply too much and overwhelming.
- Last but not least the number of blog postings itself has increased so much that even though I am only subscribed to around 20 blogs and I read blogs every day I am still 7 days behind by now. By the time I get to a post and comment on it, the story is already “cold” and nobody is going to read my comment on it anyway. And even if, I’m definitely not coming back to check for replies on my comment, since I’m still trying to catch up with the other 337 unread blog posts from the last days.

]]> By: Freedom of Speech Means Freedom to Say Anything | Yostivanich.com http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2420675 Freedom of Speech Means Freedom to Say Anything | Yostivanich.com Sat, 26 Jul 2008 22:14:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2420675 [...] no Robert Scoble I don’t think the comment trolls should be deleted. Are they stupid, absolutely, are they [...] [...] no Robert Scoble I don’t think the comment trolls should be deleted. Are they stupid, absolutely, are they [...]

]]> By: Are Blog Comments Full of Trolls? http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2420359 Are Blog Comments Full of Trolls? Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:22:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2420359 [...] Via: Techcrunch [...] [...] Via: Techcrunch [...]

]]> By: off the record http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2419582 off the record Fri, 25 Jul 2008 09:47:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2419582 <strong>Link-Flash vom 25.07.2008...</strong> Its the dialogue, stupid: Wie Unternehmen Social Media einsetzen. Eine US-Liste. Schöne neue Urlaubswelt: Ed Wohlfahrt macht sich Gedanken über Google Earth und Optionen für die Tourismus-Werbung. Ich kann nicht mehr: Wie das Internet da... Link-Flash vom 25.07.2008…

Its the dialogue, stupid: Wie Unternehmen Social Media einsetzen. Eine US-Liste.
Schöne neue Urlaubswelt: Ed Wohlfahrt macht sich Gedanken über Google Earth und Optionen für die Tourismus-Werbung.
Ich kann nicht mehr: Wie das Internet da…

]]> By: Confession: I’m one of the “commenting trolls” Jeff Scoble talks about at Rabid Space Dog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2419382 Confession: I’m one of the “commenting trolls” Jeff Scoble talks about at Rabid Space Dog Fri, 25 Jul 2008 03:51:45 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2419382 [...] you’ve been on Digg or TechCrunch lately, you’ve probably seen this video of Jeff Scoble discussing that there’s no discussion anymore in the blogosphere and that all those damn [...] [...] you’ve been on Digg or TechCrunch lately, you’ve probably seen this video of Jeff Scoble discussing that there’s no discussion anymore in the blogosphere and that all those damn [...]

]]> By: nick halstead http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2418326 nick halstead Thu, 24 Jul 2008 09:03:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2418326 A lot of the things you are talking about Robert we are trying to solve at fav.or.it - come check out the latest version - we are really focusing on the community feel around comments now - 12k+ comments per day we aggregate and growing! sent from: <a href="http://fav.or.it" rel="nofollow">fav.or.it</a> [FID784688] A lot of the things you are talking about Robert we are trying to solve at fav.or.it - come check out the latest version - we are really focusing on the community feel around comments now - 12k+ comments per day we aggregate and growing!

sent from: fav.or.it [FID784688]

]]> By: Jeff http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2418089 Jeff Thu, 24 Jul 2008 04:12:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2418089 I completely agree. I'm a dedicated believer in using heavy-handed comment/forum moderation to build better communities. I've been using it for years and I've seen the results. Down with trolls! I completely agree. I’m a dedicated believer in using heavy-handed comment/forum moderation to build better communities. I’ve been using it for years and I’ve seen the results.

Down with trolls!

]]> By: Sid http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2418038 Sid Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:21:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2418038 Well obviously you have and so have I. People who like to provide alternative viewpoints or even gain new ones read comments. On certain sites I always read the comments. Other sites like digg, ill just read the top comments to see if there is any additional info I find interesting and leave the rest alone. Well obviously you have and so have I. People who like to provide alternative viewpoints or even gain new ones read comments. On certain sites I always read the comments. Other sites like digg, ill just read the top comments to see if there is any additional info I find interesting and leave the rest alone.

]]> By: Chuck http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417991 Chuck Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:10:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417991 Here's how you solve it. Moderate your comments. Just that simple. Works at my Blog. No trolls. Here’s how you solve it. Moderate your comments. Just that simple.

Works at my Blog.

No trolls.

]]> By: ebygum http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417934 ebygum Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:24:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417934 I don't think the big supported blogs have become a slave to the news cycle so much as they've become a slave to traffic and advertisers. I don’t think the big supported blogs have become a slave to the news cycle so much as they’ve become a slave to traffic and advertisers.

]]> By: Charbax http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417825 Charbax Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:05:49 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417825 We'll have new standards for comments using Open Social or some other industry standard for user identification and user management. Cause commenters need to be held accountable of the comments they post especially if/when people are trolling. We’ll have new standards for comments using Open Social or some other industry standard for user identification and user management. Cause commenters need to be held accountable of the comments they post especially if/when people are trolling.

]]> By: Pat http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417797 Pat Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:40:15 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417797 Suck it, Schonfeld. ;) Amen, Scobble. Karma should be requisite on large discussions. Anonymity is fine, but we need to weed out the dolts. I really hope that Disqus et al. help get this figured out. Suck it, Schonfeld. ;)

Amen, Scobble. Karma should be requisite on large discussions. Anonymity is fine, but we need to weed out the dolts.

I really hope that Disqus et al. help get this figured out.

]]> By: ettore http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417739 ettore Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:49:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417739 I think part of what Scoble says is non-sense. It's entirely up to you to keep the discussion going on the subjects you deem important. There are so many different ways to do that. If you make an 2 pages essay and then you just swallow it in a the sea of twitters, friendfeeds and whatever, what do you expect? You are the cause, you choose how to communicate, nobody else. I think part of what Scoble says is non-sense. It’s entirely up to you to keep the discussion going on the subjects you deem important. There are so many different ways to do that. If you make an 2 pages essay and then you just swallow it in a the sea of twitters, friendfeeds and whatever, what do you expect? You are the cause, you choose how to communicate, nobody else.

]]> By: links for 2008-07-23 « andrew golis http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417708 links for 2008-07-23 « andrew golis Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:32:44 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417708 [...] Video: Scoble Tells the Comment Trolls To Go Back to Digg Famous tech blogger pines for the slower early days of the blogosphere where there were real ideas being exchanged, and folks could spend time thinking instead of just constantly reacting to keep up. (tags: new.media blogging scoble techcrunch) [...] [...] Video: Scoble Tells the Comment Trolls To Go Back to Digg Famous tech blogger pines for the slower early days of the blogosphere where there were real ideas being exchanged, and folks could spend time thinking instead of just constantly reacting to keep up. (tags: new.media blogging scoble techcrunch) [...]

]]> By: My Awesome Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417662 My Awesome Blog Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:07:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417662 I'd be happy just to HAVE comments on my blog. LOL... feel free to troll away on my blog: http://www.MyAwesomeBlog.com I’d be happy just to HAVE comments on my blog. LOL… feel free to troll away on my blog:

http://www.MyAwesomeBlog.com

]]> By: Aaron Stannard http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417599 Aaron Stannard Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:49:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417599 I agree, he's a fantastic writer. I actually don't understand the rest of your comment. I'm just wondering why he doesn't practice what he preaches in his own books ;p Fyi I'm in the middle of reading "All Marketers are Liars" right now. I agree, he’s a fantastic writer. I actually don’t understand the rest of your comment. I’m just wondering why he doesn’t practice what he preaches in his own books ;p

Fyi I’m in the middle of reading “All Marketers are Liars” right now.

]]> By: Jim Connolly http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417595 Jim Connolly Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:45:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417595 Scoble Wars: Attack of the Trolls www.thetechnewsblog.com/2008/07/23/scoble-wars-attack-of-the-trolls Enjoy! Jim Connolly Scoble Wars: Attack of the Trolls
http://www.thetechnewsblog.com.....the-trolls

Enjoy!

Jim Connolly

]]> By: Jim Connolly http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417591 Jim Connolly Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:38:57 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417591 Scoble Wars: Attack of the Trolls http://thetechnewsblog.com/2008/07/23/scoble-wars-attack-of-the-trolls Enjoy! Jim Connolly Scoble Wars: Attack of the Trolls
http://thetechnewsblog.com/200.....the-trolls

Enjoy!

Jim Connolly

]]> By: Ryan http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417579 Ryan Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:27:02 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417579 My comment is not appearing :( Just trying to be apart of the conversation and offer a possible solution.... To get rid of trolls add a FriendFeed or Twitter box under or before comment box. Those who are trolls would use the comment box, those who want to be truly a part of the conversation would use their FF or Twitter accounts to leave comments. My comment is not appearing :( Just trying to be apart of the conversation and offer a possible solution….

To get rid of trolls add a FriendFeed or Twitter box under or before comment box. Those who are trolls would use the comment box, those who want to be truly a part of the conversation would use their FF or Twitter accounts to leave comments.

]]> By: Scoble Wars - Attack of the trolls « The Tech News Blog http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417553 Scoble Wars - Attack of the trolls « The Tech News Blog Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:08:51 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417553 [...] he is attracting in his, and other people’s blogs.  Eric Schonfeld of techcrunch posted a video of Robert this morning, where he went into a bit of a rant regarding what he calls “the [...] [...] he is attracting in his, and other people’s blogs.  Eric Schonfeld of techcrunch posted a video of Robert this morning, where he went into a bit of a rant regarding what he calls “the [...]

]]> By: Neil Vineberg http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417552 Neil Vineberg Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:08:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417552 I agree with Robert. Part of the problem is that a niche idea has become huge business for several players able to effectively monetize blogs, podcasts, etc. That success has attracted folks looking beyond conversation to profit. Has the profit motive captured the larger brands? Isn't money now driving the growth of major blogs and podcasts today? It's no longer just conversation or innovation. Seems like it's money - ads, selling posts to the highest bidder, and all kinds of BS. So if there is a perversion of the system, it's not just those jerks posting hurtful comments. It's flowing top down too. I agree with Robert. Part of the problem is that a niche idea has become huge business for several players able to effectively monetize blogs, podcasts, etc. That success has attracted folks looking beyond conversation to profit. Has the profit motive captured the larger brands? Isn’t money now driving the growth of major blogs and podcasts today? It’s no longer just conversation or innovation. Seems like it’s money - ads, selling posts to the highest bidder, and all kinds of BS. So if there is a perversion of the system, it’s not just those jerks posting hurtful comments. It’s flowing top down too.

]]> By: gregorylent http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417551 gregorylent Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:08:05 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417551 not i9e7 either .. i am sure scoble was not the problem thought not i9e7 either .. i am sure scoble was not the problem thought

]]> By: gregorylent http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417548 gregorylent Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:06:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417548 video wont play in firefox or opera except the first two seconds .. loads fine ... ie7, yuk, here i come video wont play in firefox or opera except the first two seconds .. loads fine … ie7, yuk, here i come

]]> By: moni http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417544 moni Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:59:32 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417544 The issue of people people's attention being on one topic and then forgetting about it the next day (with respect to techcrunch) is actually something that can be solved quite easily. The structure of TC reinforces only a few things being "active" on any given day (i.e. what's on the home page) After that, things are effectively buried. No visibility is given to activity that could be happening several pages deep. This is pretty easily solved and can be approached from a couple different angles. The issue of people people’s attention being on one topic and then forgetting about it the next day (with respect to techcrunch) is actually something that can be solved quite easily.

The structure of TC reinforces only a few things being “active” on any given day (i.e. what’s on the home page) After that, things are effectively buried. No visibility is given to activity that could be happening several pages deep. This is pretty easily solved and can be approached from a couple different angles.

]]> By: Panamajack http://www.techcrunch.com/2008/07/23/video-scoble-tells-the-comment-trolls-to-go-back-to-digg/#comment-2417540 Panamajack Wed, 23 Jul 2008 17:49:59 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/?p=20348#comment-2417540 I think Scoble is just tired: trolls have always existed, civil people wanting genuine conversations have always existed. It's the increased flow that he simply can't handle. It's a wonder that between his Twitter/Friendfeed/Qiking/blogging/press release chasing/ interviewing he hasn't had a mental breakdown yet. It's a testament to his stamina I suppose, and a price for his A-lister status. Has it gotten him rich enough to afford a personal assistant ? It's pretty obvious he needs an outsourced person from the Sub-continent to filter out *some* of the "poisonous noise" directed at him. I think Scoble is just tired: trolls have always existed, civil people wanting genuine conversations have always existed. It’s the increased flow that he simply can’t handle. It’s a wonder that between his Twitter/Friendfeed/Qiking/blogging/press release chasing/ interviewing he hasn’t had a mental breakdown yet. It’s a testament to his stamina I suppose, and a price for his A-lister status.

Has it gotten him rich enough to afford a personal assistant ? It’s pretty obvious he needs an outsourced person from the Sub-continent to filter out *some* of the “poisonous noise” directed at him.

]]>