Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The Rest is Comments...

Now go study...


In case you haven't heard, Tablet Magazine has launched an offense against the world of online trollery. Tablet will now require readers to pay for the privilege of commenting. The fee is modest, $2 gets you all the comments you want for a day. The idea is to put a speed bump, not a wall, in the way of overexcited commenters.

For the record, I think it's a great idea. We'll see how it shapes the comments on a high traffic site like Tablet. I think it will be for the better. But...

Small time outfits like this blog have a very different problem. No comments! No one's paying me to blog. Indeed, I put an enormous amount of effort into what I write (which is why my output tends to be infrequent) with little to no reward, other than the satisfaction of the writing itself. Which is nice, but it would be a lot nicer if there was more feedback from my readers.

So, I'm thinking of starting a new commenting policy of my own. From now on, you will have to pay if you read something you like and don't leave a comment. I'm using a super secret technology that may or may not have come from a scavenged UFO at Roswell. Like velcro and night vision goggles, but bloggy.

What do you think?

9 comments:

  1. I think it's a cool idea. I dig it!

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  2. Given the excessively trolly nature of most comment sections of the Jewish Internet, I think this move by Tablet has merit. The Internet's an odd duck; people falling all over themselves to spill vitriol and nary a word if something is liked. We're all just too lazy, and can barely get up enough gumption for the passive upvote.

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  3. I don't feel learned enough to comment here :(

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    Replies
    1. That's absurd. You're the one at the fancy school, I'm just an idiot on her couch.

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    2. At times I share Jeremiah's feelings. Of course, I love to comment on your blog Rokhl but I've 2 doubts:
      1. That I know much too less about the stuff you're writing about (not a yiddish speaker etc.).
      2. Not sure if my Easter European musings are always interesting...(yeah, my mood is very mediocre today).
      PS I absolutely love the fact that you're writing again!

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    3. 1. I'm not actually writing again. Just transcribing thoughts.
      2. You are one of my most valued commenters (a small but elite group). I always learn something from the connections you bring to the blog. Please don't stop. I'm allowed to give up, but you're not.

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    4. Thank you Rokhl. I'm really moved.

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  4. Oh, you want feedback?! Never speak to a live Finnish audience.

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