I’ve been mulling this over for awhile and the past few days have been over the top. SSD was created to educate readers on the goings on in the tactical industry and share things I found interesting. Lately, the comment section has become a magnet for disrespectful discourse and outright lies.
Spam I can live with, but the constant stream of dick measurers, internet experts, shills and trolls are getting to be a bit much. What do you guys think?
I agree the dumasses have been out in force but, for me the fact that guys like Larry Vickers, Guy Cramer, GW, Mike Pannone, Frank Proctor and, many more interact with readers far out weights the hassle of deaaling with the slop.
And lose the beloved camo wars? BLASPHEMY.
is there a feature on this site that allows you to delete any comments that are just to much?
I really like this blog and I think that it wouldn’t make a difference if the comments were turned off. I would still read articles and check the site daily. There seems to be a ton of trolls on this site. Maybe turn the comments off for a few weeks and then look into turning them back on later.
‘ve been a part of online communities for 20+ years. just like around the campfire 20,000 years ago, adults always have to discuss things while the children run around and say stupid things. it has always been this way. sometimes even the adults say stupid things…but things balance out.
i think a good indicator that your commenter community is a good thing is how users bash trolls for you. we’ve got your back.
I agree with the general sentiment that the comments section often adds useful and interesting info to the topic at hand. While there are a lot of posts where people have nothing useful to say except “another AR, bleh” or this is just a copy of X but for all those and other trollish comments there are some real gems that I learn a lot from. For me, just reading articles is only half of the enjoyment that I get from visiting this site, the other half comes from reading the comments section.
Democracy in Action! Awesome
First, I respect requesting this input from followers/fans.
Second, I voted to keep the comments for many of the same reasons that have been posted here. I don’t have time or interest to view all comments on all subjects but, when I do view them, I find the vast majority to be instructive and constructive.
There will always be jerks; perhaps even some of my previous questions/comments were interpreted as ‘jerk-like’. My intentions however, have been nothing less than honorable and the dialogue/feedback is always educational.
SSD, it’s your party, cry (restrict) if you want to!
How about a feed back option where we can police each other?
I think that well thought out comments regarding the articles and products are important. Everyone in this industry should want our soldiers to have the best gear and products available to them, period. However, you run into problems with credibility when postings are anonymous, persons have an agenda, an ax to grind and contain just enough information to lend credibility to incorrect comments and inflammatory statements. It becomes very difficult for readers seeking to be educated on a subject or product to separate fact from fiction. It also becomes impossible for you to moderate. I believe that the great part about this industry is the focus on the end user, the best customer in the world, but this gets lost when armchair trolls turn comments section into personal attacks and shooting matches. Discussing new products for the war fighter is an important exercise and a good news story, but if a company is working on a particular project or with a particular unit, they should seriously think twice about how it may be perceived or damaged by potential haters in lieu of qualified experts, which limits the historical openness that we have enjoyed with SSD since its inception and stifles much needed innovation. Maybe you should D/X the anonymous comment posting then the reader can accurately vet the comments made…..
I could easily live without comments on this site. The real value of this site is not anything I ever read in the comments, but in the posts themselves.
My .02
Thanks for what you do, SSD. Do what you have to, though I would miss being able to comment from time to time, and would miss more the comments made by the few people who are knowledgeable insiders that pop up from time to time.
I’ve been hoping for a Disqus type comment section for a while, that has user account tied to an email, voting buttons (up or down), but most importantly, comment notifications. I’ve learned a lot from SSD, but also from SSD comments, which have an unparalleled access to industry pros who actively respond to questions and comments.. but occasionally I forget to check back on a question I’ve posted, since I have no way of knowing if there is a response.
Ultimately, it’s your site and your decision, but I think you’ve built a community around your site by having comments, and I hope you’ll keep it and improve it.
Once again, thanks for your hard work in building and maintaining this place.
I think a user voting system to weed out the very worst of the troll comments could be implemented. But I don’t know if a company could just sic a few employees on the task of voting down negative comments on their products could be a problem though.
I appreciate the comments, and I appreciate that they aren’t just a group of mutual back-patters.
I like how the comments show some industry people to be calm, rational, secure, professional people who know how to respond to malcontents with grace and poise; and some of them to be angry, bitter, insecure people who simply rankle at the thought of their indisputable expertise being challenged.
I’ve always enjoyed reading comments on topics I find interesting. If they get stupid I stop reading.
Moderators are a good idea too
Maybe I’m just not reading the posts that brought this up. I’ve seen a few but nowhere like other sites (check out military.com).
Comments add to the value of the writing generally.
Accounts and a pay section have been suggested. If you don’t have the time/inclination to monitor comments consider canvassing some of the readership for volunteer moderators but I don’t think SSD has that bad a problem.
Sometimes a minority of the comments – especially on “hot button” issues – are not helpful.
I’m sure that includes a good number of my not always cogent thoughts as well.
Other times the professional dialog is valuable to me at least.
So, if SSD can put up with it, I vote to keep the comments.
TLB
Most of the comments are smart and entertaining. Just delete the rude ones. Dont waste more energy than that.
I voted no because you don’t have to view the comments if you don’t want to. Either way, trolls will be trolls, might as well leave it interactive. Keep up the good work SSD.
If possible, allow people to rank others who post, if someone is 3 stars or below, I can set something so they don’t ever show up.
As a geek and someone who has spent time in the dirt, and someone who has been reading here for a few years. I think this would allow knowledgable folks to still be heard, and the trolls be put on mute. I’m not the greatest web developer, but i think Slashdot and Redit have things similar to this.
Let the fools comment. Dumb assery can be very entertaining and occasionally educating.
Should the actions of a few justify the punishment of the many?
Too many times have I seen people justify that kind of punishment.
I’ll admit I let myself get involved in a poo flinging contest once on this blog, but it was only once, and I think I won, so it was worth it. Other than that I have to say the community on this site is far more mature than many of the others I visit. I’ll overlook the occasional d-bag to enjoy the vast majority of comments which are informative and helpful.
I personally don’t look at the comments as often as I used to. And I definitely don’t comment hardly at all after I asked a question and was jumped on as a non-mil-spec-ops-dude-type. I’m sure you (SSD) will do the right thing.
I think the comments section should remain open as many contributions from the readership are very helpful and give new insights to the specific topic each article is about.
I will say however, that I was disappointed in the moderation leading to the complete removal of all comments supporting the possibility of the 9/11 event taking place in any way other than that story pitched by the official report. I respect the sacrifice of my fellow firefighters but I also hold a healthy skepticism regarding any “information” coming from our current government and encourage others to do the same.
I vote to keep the Comments section open(all aside and discounting Dickless Wonders). Love the fact that SSD allows me to do that. Just my two-pence worth! Cheers and thank you for all you do, SSD!!
I rarely post a comment…
I rarely read the comments.
Yet, even discovering the rare nugget is worth wading through the BS.
Keep the comments open.
Keep comments open, if needed get help and start deleting/banning the lies and spam/bs posts
I love SSD and I apologize to anyone if my past comment ever bothered you, include Mr. Graves and everyone. I’ve did and seen alot of S-post comments and I didn’t know SSD seriously care about comment section to even consider closure. I respect everyone here even trolls and narrow-minded people.
Anyway, I want SSD to not censor or govern the comment section but that’s just my opinion. I’n nothing but a one of the thousands of SSD readers and I’m not even a vet or something. The choice is wholly up to you and I’ll respect your decision, because I love SSD.
But if you really have to do something about the comment section, I recommend something like reader-driven system like Disqus or Youtube. I’ve seen many of private-account moderation system fell into complete utter cyber-dictatorship and it feels aweful. Voluntary censorship and internet police state is worse than pure chaos with trolls and flame war, IMO. Besides, comment section of SSD is quiet polite from my perspective. Well, at least better than most other places. I’ve seen some people with very biased opinion but it wasn’t like, you know, crossed the line.
If there’s one thing I’ve learned as a multi-national hippie, is that you can never have too much freedom.
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
-Evelyn Beatrice Hall
I would say require people to sign up to the site IOT post comments. If they post some bullshittery like you say (Ive observed it as well) freeze their acct. Do it again, delete/ ban their account and them from using the comment section. It would require some additional work but its a potential step to clearing out some of the bullshittery.