Building Blocks On BRO
In recent weeks I've been forwarded a number of 'flags' from viewers wondering about the appropriateness of comments within BRO threads. Just today I read one that was rather lengthy in which the viewer portrayed his experience on BRO as one of mixed emotions. He relayed that often times he is hesitant to even forward certain stories to others for fear that the 'train wreck' that sometimes ensues will make his friends uncomfortable. He went on to say, "I realize BRO wants to have a commitment to free speech, but lately I've seen so many comments which have just been trading insults and vulgarity. I guess this matters so much to me because I am so often pointing people to BRO as an example of how a blog can serve as a vital mechanism for community renewal and I also sending people links to articles which are relevant to projects they're working on or issues here in my community. But lately I've been hesitant in some situations where it looks like the comments don't reflect well on BRO & Buffalo in general (where I'd love to relocate)."
This is not a cut and dry issue. It's an issue that we have discussed time and time again. Does one take down comments that verge on some sort of an attack? What about freedom of speech? We've already been accused of taking down comments on the site (sometimes justified and sometimes not), and others accuse us of being too lenient. Sometimes a comment can be very constructive before veering off into a pitfall. Other times commentors flag a comment ('report this') that they find personally offensive and I wonder if it is my duty to take it down because I'm not sure it should come down. In those cases I wait to see if the comment gets flagged again. We have left the monitoring of the comments mainly in the hands of the viewers, which appears to work out OK. Some viewers are overly sensitive. Others use the tool to interact with editors. It can be very confusing. Either way someone doesn't like what you’re doing.
Is there a solution? Maybe. I am sure that BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME would have a much different opinion than CHRIS69. I bet that STEEL and al-alo would differ on some 'dos and don'ts' when it comes to what should stay up and what should come down. Has anyone tried to block a commenter from his or her own personal BRO thread? If you click on the 'avoid user' button, the person who left the comment will no longer show up on your BRO threads. If BRO just decided to ax commentors from the site completely, it is no doubt that they would reappear under another name. Sometimes it can be better to be able to identify a user that continually gets 'flagged'.
Not too long ago I received a phone call from an educational institution wondering about one of our commentors. I had the same discussion with her as I am having with you. At this point, I’m all ears. If you have a suggestion then I will pass it along to the 'tech guys' and maybe we'll introduce something new for 2008 that will enhance your viewing experience on BRO. For those of you who have expressed your concerns I can tell you that I appreciate your thoughts.
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pgf1948
Oh, my!
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PDB
BRO
If we all are serious about trying our best to have Buffalo "Rise" why should there be a need for vulgar or inappropriate language. A message can be brought across in gentlemanly(or womanly) terms. Those who use what may be considered to be offensive language only hurt their credibility.
PDB
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chris69
I think there is a bigger picture Queenseyes and it is bigger than being offended or reflecting well on Buffalo Rising.
We have local institutions (GBNRTC, NFTA, UB, Buffalo State) that arent local at all, near everyone is appointed by the governor and near everyone reports to a NYS agency in Albany and thats not to mention other local agencies that are also political patronage appointments (Water Authority, Sewar Authority, BMHA, etc)
Let us not forget unfunded state and federal mandates and regulations
We also have non-performing municipal and county agencies
We also have flippers, developers that do not build but neglect and tear down to the point that 60% of our city is empty
And it happens quite often on Buffalo Rising where your site and others are not just sources of information but sources of social activism...where say the loudest voices in government, or the loudest liberal voices opposed to demolition etc....but where all sides of an issue like say the skyway, peace bridge, richardson, etc...get debated, discussed, sorted from multiple angles....not all nice...not all civil....not all well mannered but never-the-less one can look at how many times BuffaloRising has been able to blow a call to arms for something important to our city that the Buffalo News (our hometown news source) was oblivious and unconcerned.
Buffalo is not a city of edwardian stuffed shirts...its a city of casual and uncomplicated down to earth simplicity and forthright directness. Buffalonians that I know are not reserved about their history, their backwardness or how to fix their city.....if BuffaloRising continues to be a call to arms of its citizens...then it would be a shame if its energy were somehow neutered for those to frail to engage.
I myself have engaged in some inflamatory and controversial statements...and the result is that there is an impassioned debate over race baiting and using race victimization to malign our city to advance a minority political platform.....this in a city where poltiical correctness allowed no engagement. Truth is that dialogue of entrenched positions opened more doors than it closed...even while the politically correct ran away with their hands over their ears.
Is a comment relevant? Does it inspire civic pride, dialogue, insight, debate? These are the issues and to edit or silence them for the political sensativities of the few will render BuffaloRising both sterile and impotent to its true intentions of civic pride, civic activism and city living.
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gfgfgfgf
Simple: 1) Create a mandatory terms of service disclaimer which clearly lays out the various types of speech which are deemed offensive 2) Inform users that you reserve the right to obscure any offensive comments 3) Any comments that are in violation of the TOS, replace them with the following:
"This comment has been obscured due to potentially offensive content. If you still wish to view it, please click here."
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snotnose
gfgfgfgf has a good point. TOS is being launched on other sites, as well, as of 1/1/08
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Matthewjohnp
Do us a favor and stay where you are.
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Greetingcard
I appreciate the back and forth comments between the bloggers. But when it comes to the vulgarity and personal attacks, I am apt to stop reading and move on. This is a site that I thought was for intelligent conversation and sprited discussions on the issues of the day. I hope that it can continue that way, and when I see something offensive, I click on "report this" we should all do that.
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Joshua
Queenseyes - you've brought up some very objective points regarding the posts on BRO. It would be most beneficial if those who left comments would leave constructive comments and not bash other users since their comments differed. Since I started reading this blog back in June, I have learned a lot about what is going on around Buffalo. I've also had some of my comments printed in the Buffalo Rising Magazine, under halljd39. I'm sure the comments I posted were constructive based on the article posted or else they would not have been printed for people all over Buffalo to see.
Keep up the good work with Buffalo Rising, Queenseyes, et. al.! HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008!
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Hoss
In this situation, Chris69's about 90% dead on. The mean back and forth shit I can live without, but who in Buffalo doesn't drop the 'F-Bomb" on any given day. This is the "City of No Illusion right"?
In the end, this site is your baby, and you can do what you want. There are times when a moderator should step in. But if you're worried about offending the least common denominator, or the children for instance, I think sanitizing for them would be a compromise with negative impact. If this joint was less spirited due to censorship, I'd probably be less likely to log on. But I am in full agreement about the derogatory, blatantly vulgar commentary. Buffalo Rising is not a good place for it. I'm sure there are plenty of local themed blogs around where one can openly vent.
Though I think some self editing/delete options would be useful for the occasional and unfortunate, what the hell was I thinking, alcohol induced commenting that some have been known to do (cough).:)))
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MRodgers
"Sometimes we feel that one individual's action is very insignificant. Then we think, of course, that effects should come from channeling or from a unifying movement. But the movement of the society, community or group of people means joining individuals. Society means a collection of individuals, so that initiative must come from individuals. Unless each individual develops a sense of responsibility, the whole community cannot move. So therefore, it is very essential that we should not feel that individual effort is meaningless- you should not feel that way. We should make an effort." -- His Holiness the Dalai Lama
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xmissanthropic
Chris 69 said: if BuffaloRising continues to be a call to arms of its citizens...then it would be a shame if its energy were somehow neutered for those to frail to engage. (and) to edit or silence them for the political sensativities of the few will render BuffaloRising both sterile and impotent to its true intentions of civic pride, civic activism and city living.
Right on man right on! If everyone agreed with it, it wouldn't need protecting. Like Joshua said, it's the plethora of voices on BRO that make it such a wealth of information, and a learning tool. Not all the comments are worth a grain of salt but we can use are own discretion and we're tough enough to take it, we're from Buffalo for god's sake!
gfgf... has a point and I like having a choice but then you get into who says what is offensive and on and on etc. (we'll be online arguing about that instead of parking! LOL)
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Nan-C
Newell, Personally, I just read the articles and only occasionally read the comments because they so often 'devolve' into nonsense. I know other people who used to post who are reluctant to do it again due the personal attacks. When people can hide behind a mask of anonymity, they can be irresponsible. It feels that a small group of people have taken over the site. I'm not sure what your numbers are but if they are down I would expect that this the reason. I love what you are trying to do for Buffalo. I used to recommend your site to all kinds of people. I was proud of all the things that are going on. I just can't do it any more. Too much negativity. I'd rather read opinions of people who dare to use their real names. Otherwise, get rid of the comments and just run the articles. Happy New Year! Nancy
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chiknlil
Here are a few suggestions: 1) Legitimize log-ons through email validation, a reader cannot post a comment unless they have a validated alias. 2) Notify posters via PM and Email if they post a questionable post, let them know that it has been edited or removed and why. 3) allow users to edit their comments. 4) Leave everything else alone.
You provide a valuable resource to the people of Buffalo and from Buffalo. The open and honest communication isn't available anywhere else, except maybe Craigslist and that is a cesspool of racism and hatred. Don't fall to that level, but don't give in to the temptation to control either.
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chiknlil
Please take a look at the content if you feel that readership is down. There are a lot of recycled topics and already beaten issues that just keep coming back. Like the Aud, Bass Pro, Buffalo State, Buffalo Teachers, and the Skyway. There are only so many ways to slice the onion. Look at the posting on the Our Lady of Lourdes, a new topic produces decent results, while other topics are quickly derailed into lunacy. I like the lunacy but I come here to read the valuable information in the newer posts.
BTW, my roommates and I were having a conversation about this a few nights ago.
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Denizen
QE, you should know that it's standard procedure for most internet forums/message boards to maintain basic moderation standards and regularly remove comments/replies that stray far off topic from the OP or are meant to just antagonize regular participants (see: flaming, trolling) without actually adding to the conversation. Those who violate these rules typically have their IPs, handles, and email addresses banned from the site temporarily or permanently depending on the gravity of the offense(s) in question. Refusing to moderate a discussion forum will ultimately make the discussion section completely unnavigable; the signal-noise ratio will become all noise.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_forum#Trolls
Moderation for the sake of maintaining productive discussion should not be confused with censorship, which is removing comments that challenge the author's and web site's statements/credibility but are on topic. I believe we've seen that situation before.
Then again, if you web site's main objective is to get the most clicks possible in order to sell more ads, then leaving inflammatory comments might be a good for business if viewers keep checking back to spicy threads to see how far and wide the shit-flinging will go. That's about all I'll say.
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Pauldub
This is the site that got me back on the streets of Buffalo and for that Newell, I am forever in your debt. The comments back then had the same tendency to go off on nasty tangents that they do now. This is a part of life, and we have to accept that. The current reporting policy could be better publicised, but other than that, censorship can be a slippery slope.
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waffles
I too, will stop reading comments under a certain topic if they are just personal attacks. It's childish (and I'm only 21) and it is not constructive. I find it annoying and think it brings the legitimacy of this site down. Bashing and disagreeing are always welcome in discussions but it's unnecessary when it is not related to the actual topic being argued about. The site would be more enjoyable if such comments were flagged and removed. If you have a problem with someone PM them or email them.
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dpbflo
Leave it be. I can usually tell by the first few words if a comment is worth reading. If its not I move right onto the next comment. Also after using this for a short time you start to just skip over all of certain peoples comments because its never anything relevant.
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viking
The ability to challenge a divergent opinion stimulates the interest of some of us, the personal attacks, name calling and off the wall commentary could be reduced and should be. Sharp critique can be presented without vulgarity or personal attacks. Some of the opinions expressed are actually humorous and add flavor, some bend the truth, or are so biased that they challenge creditability, if they are civil , leave a fool to his own, your audience can tell the difference.
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RisingDamp666
Personally, I think all my comments should be taken down immediately. For god's sake, save yourselves!
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Hoss
OK, I just have to go off topic for a second, and this is a good example why BR should maybe have an "old fashioned forum", in addition to the "editorial commentary", where people can vent or ask questions for all things Buffalo.
Anyways, I just saw on the news (channel 4) that they are trucking in snow to the Ralph so it looks wintery for the Ice Bowl on Tuesday. My jaw is still dropped. Talk about propagating the myth for the benefit of the national viewing audience...I guess footage of me riding my bike to the Essex last night, or skateboarding in Delaware Park today wouldn't jibe with the "Winter Classic" theme. When did the NHL get all Epcot on us? No wonder we're the butt of so many jokes.
Sorry to hijack the thread (how ironic of me) I was just so shocked to see this, and I had to spew.
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EricOak
It's probably not worth the trouble to change the format--we just ignore the nasty or spiteful comments. Let it all be aired, I suppose. And so in that spirit, I couldn't help but find Chris69's comments about Buffalonians as rather parochial. I didn't realize that we had a collective sense of "backwardness"--that's news to me. I know plenty of stuffed shirts in Buffalo, and just about every other kind of person there exists in American society. There is no typical Buffalonian.
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BetterThanDetroit
BRO should just block me altogether and force me to come back with a different email and screen name. That's the solution. See, I have nothing nice to say. This site was built with the long-term vision of making money for Newell's run for mayorhood and I just stand in the way. Exclude me ASAP. Seriously.
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300miles
How about providing a link to the article only, without the comments (and without the print popup) so that we can forward the article to others without having to include the vulgar comments along with it?
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al-alo
its sad how personal some of the comments get. on my story about east utica greens, one of the comments was so personal and nasty, my wife wont ever eat them again. well that, and she doesnt really like greens. or utica*
heres an idea: if a comment is flagged for racy/racist/nasty/swears, lets turn it into a Mad Libs. delete the nasty stuff, and we can put in new words. if it is anything like when i was 12 years old, the word 'boobies' should come up every time a noun is required.
*that didnt actually happen.
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gaustad
GOOD POINT HOSS -
Acutally what you said about our climate and our national image is the reason why we are having the discussion on this thread.
There are too people in Buffalo that just don't know any better becuase they have never left town. The city will never thrive until many more realize our shortcomings and how to change our national image.
Afterall, we are trying to attract employers and other people with money to invest in our city.
In my view, most of the negativity and sarchasm is meant to provide a reality shock to those that just don't know any better.
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BetterThanDetroit
Gaustad is really Jay Manno. He is a big shot; even bought shots of crown for a couple people last week. Is Sal on here, too? Does he go by "Meg_Bottoms? Does he knowhow to type?
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RisingDamp666
I love that inadverdent word, "sarchasm". There's a real sarchasm out there and bridging this with pure, unalloyed cynicism..is the highest calling us mortals dare heed.
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BetterThanDetroit
RisingDamp666 for Mayor! (We'll have to get you a new, more humanesque name and minority backing. Wait! keep that name, RisingDamp666 - we can say you are Seneca!!).
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michaelscreen
Thoughtful comments by Queenseyes about comments posted to BRO.Reading blogs and comments from Buffalo to North Carolina...they can be both thoughtful and testy...a healthy mix of the interesting and the profane...Both have their place..Let freedom reign..
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stephenjames716
from gfgfgfgf:
Simple: 1) Create a mandatory terms of service disclaimer which clearly lays out the various types of speech which are deemed offensive 2) Inform users that you reserve the right to obscure any offensive comments 3) Any comments that are in violation of the TOS, replace them with the following:
"This comment has been obscured due to potentially offensive content. If you still wish to view it, please click here."
-That is exactly what needs to be done to resolve this issue.
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NBJOHN
My opinion.... A very general Terms of service would be appropriate, just as long as it does not censor too much. What is great about the site is that you can speak your mind about controversial issues. Race, politics, politicians (state money hungry idiots), development, etc. are all on the table on this site, vs. the Buffalo Snooze and other slanted sites. We seem to have a very impassioned group of individuals that want the region/City to prosper and truly turn the corner, and BRO is a great outlet for information and communication - again vs. the Bflo Snooze and other sites. The back and forth banter can get old, but that really shows the passion, and it is that passion - directed at our public officials- that can enact change, and make the city truly rise. My one comment would be to try and keep longwinded comments that are off the subject of the post at bay.
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DanielSack
Newell,
I'm certain there is plenty written on the web on this subject that could inform you better than any comments here. Your website serves the very good purpose of informing readers about the Buffalo region. I'm sure that there are websites that don't care about Buffalo but attract people who think and write more about webblogs.
I recently questioned "BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME" comment, "U guys are Jackasses iceyhotpieholecreamsub don't u have a hoagie to make at steakout right now? Hurry the f up cuz I'm hungry biatch!!!!" I was accused by "leadi" of promoting censorship; and accused by "BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME" of subscribing "to the liberal media bias that dominates tv" (I actually believe that TV News is dominated by a conservative bias) watching CNN (I don't have cable TV but I occasionally work for CNN), reading the NY Times (true), and "saving for a Prius" (untrue).
I tried to explain the difference between "censorship" and "editing". The difference is fairly obvious and maybe "BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME" and "leadi" understood it or maybe not. Of course I understand that "editing" an on-line interactive blog is different than editing a newspaper, television news, or non-interactive blog. Editing in the BRO case may simply mean disallowing comments by people who regularly make comments attacking people rather than attacking ideas. This may require a different registration process for subscribers but it could be well worth it.
My point of repeating this is to ask just what is the point of comments like that from BROK... ? Some people just don't want to spend time on such nonsense to read the more reasonable comments.
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KernwatchMN
Now reading BRO from Minneapolis, where "Minnesota Nice" is the prevailing culture, I wince to tell friends to read either BRO or SpeakUpWNY, where the anonymous snipers seem to be winning.
I urge both Newell & Tony to stress that their sites are for "constructive, civil discourse". Serious-minded readers are driven away by those who sound like poorly-parented brats who lack the most basic manners & consideration for others. The "City of Good Neighbors" that is not!
And it reflectes very poorly on a struggling region already getting lots of bad national press. The rest of the country needs to see thoughtful & concerned posters struggling to make Bflo & WNY better.
Dick Kern (in Mpls)
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ChocolateShake
Sometimes the most important ideas expressed in the marketplace of ideas are views that are the least popular. Who is to determine such an arbitrary standard of what might be "offensive"? Will you censor out minority dissenting opinions? Will censor views of those who you dislike? What might be offensive to me may possibly be rather educational or entertaining to another.
Case in point, I found a recent article about a BRO reporter visiting the Tops Supermarket on Niagara Street for the primary purpose of seeing "people of color" shop to be downright outrageous. As an African American (or a "colored" as the article suggested), I found that article to be very condescending and offensive. However, I don't think it should have been censored.
Any intelligent person can filter what they need to or would like to read. Leave the decision of what to censor to those who are reading the comments. Again, to quote Oliver Wendell Holmes, "one man's lyric is another's curse."
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ChocolateShake
Sometimes the most important ideas expressed in the marketplace of ideas are views that are the least popular. Who is to determine such an arbitrary standard of what might be "offensive"? Will you censor out minority dissenting opinions? Will censor views of those who you dislike? What might be offensive to me may possibly be rather educational or entertaining to another.
Case in point, I found a recent article about a BRO reporter visiting the Tops Supermarket on Niagara Street for the primary purpose of seeing "people of color" shop to be downright outrageous. As an African American (or a "colored" as the article suggested), I found that article to be very condescending and offensive. However, I don't think it should have been censored.
Any intelligent person can filter what they need to or would like to read. Leave the decision of what to censor to those who are reading the comments. Again, to quote Oliver Wendell Holmes, "one man's lyric is another's curse."
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Hopeful
While I think that the first amendment has to win out on this one, i.e. let people say what they will, I think that the quality and credibility of comments has definitely devolved over time. There's a nastiness that seems to be coming from a clique of nay sayers who tend to verbally assault anyone they deem to be an ***hole. This/their thinking now permeates BR and it's getting in the way.
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DanielSack
I totally agree with ChocolateShake and Dick Kern. I can't remember exactly what Thomas Jefferson wrote but it was something like, "I will fight to my death to preserve the right of people to disagree with me".
That said, I believe that no outlet for expression should be censored by the government. But that does not mean that irrelevent comments such as we too often read here should not be edited. If BROKEE... wants to shout his/her ideas I don't like I will defend that - but there is a clear difference between offensive ideas and nonsense I quoted a few comments above.
In the spirit of the "build your own building instead of criticize" crowd (who of course I disagree with!) I would tell the flamers to build their own website instead of driving reasonable readers away from BRO. And I would insist that the government not censor that website I may choose not to read.
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kelly
Maybe I'm a nitpicker, but this is NOT a first amendment issue. The first amendment means no GOVERNMENT institution can limit speech. It does not apply to blog postings any more than it would apply to dropping the f-bomb at your job or in a store. That's just a pet peeve of mine, people thinking the first amendment covers everything under the sun.
That being said, I'm amazed by the amount of thinly-veiled racism I see left up in comments here, and comments by members saying something like "well, it's Buffalo so it won't work because it's a shithole" to every single post, etc. Discussion and speech is one thing, but clearly there are a handful of people who post here that have no interest in discussion, they just want to get their own agenda across and insult people in the process- ie trolls, the longstanding internet nuisance.
I do feel it hurts the site, if only because when one person does that the discussion that was going on unravels, and becomes twenty people yelling at one person for being negative, for being a troll, for being a racist, whatever... and the original topic is completely forgotten. Which is, of course, exactly the function of a troll. To kill off reasonable discussion by drawing all the attention to themselves.
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jen
If you do not want to read the comments, then, do not read them. Personally, I come here for the comments and just quit reading when they degrade into childish banter. Some of the topics have been recycled too much, but it might be a good jumping in point for those new to the site and not willing to go back into your archives (if you have them, I have never really looked so I do not know.) Plus their comments might give a fresh prospective.
I think there are laws controlling how much moderation you can have on a forum before the publisher is held liable for the comments on it. As for logins, I thought we already had that?
In the end, it's your blog so you can do with it what you will, but I sort of like how things are now (to a certain extent). The people posting nonsense will hopefully get bored and find something else to do.
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MJWorthington
this is a private site....so I don't see where first amendment comes into play. Anyone of us is free to start our own blogs/sites if we so desire or feel the need to in order to make use of our freedom.
I'd have no problem to any of my posts being removed for being totally off topic or of zero content. All I'd ask is for an email explaining why.
Having the trolls go back and forth is a big waste of time. There are more than enough topics on here to get your point across on the relevant ones. Having the same posters throw out the same old comments in every thread pry does more to stiffle the discussion and inclusion of more posters and ideas than anything else.
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Dionysus
Who is going to decide which comments meet the criteria to be flagged as "offensive"? And what would those criteria be? You can't just arbitrarily delete comments because you think they're negative. (Well, then again, I guess you could.) But what deems a comment negative? If I happen to disagree with an opinion expressed in an article, am I being negative? Should I mince words or find some way to sugar coat a dissenting opinion for fear it will be deleted otherwise? Come on. It seems a bit like censorship and starting down a slippery slope, but it's not my website. Most people probably wouldn't stop visiting this site, but I bet they would think twice before taking the time to compose a thoughtful comment that might be deleted in a second.
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Meg_bottoms
It is all about the advertising dollars isn't it? Where would you be if the same 10 or 12 people didn't hit BRO a dozen times a day to check on their comments. People come here for the comments, this is what sets BRO apart from THE BEAST, ARTVOICE, &THE NEWS. Check out the WIVB or the BN chats to see what civility buys you. They are boring, boring, boring! There are more than enough articles on WNYMEDIA to fill the gaps left by other outlets, but we like BRO because of the ability to challenge and comment. Good or bad, like it or not... some of us are like the urban art on the overpasses of the interstate. Our comments make people react and think, it touches on their emotions. Look at Daniel Sack, he is still pissed about a flippant comment from 2 weeks ago, but I bet that he re-read his comments to see why BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME said what he said, same goes for xMISSANTHROPIC, JOSHUA, BECKER, CHRIS69, and COLON. C'mon already, you need someone to challenge comments like "I am a Conservative Republican Libertarian" or "I find the mainstream media to have a conservative bias"... why else would you type something so moronic? I mean really, you must be on the left side of Ed Begley Jr to find CNN and NPR conservative. But I digress... limiting and censoring will lose you readers and valuable advertising dollars. You saw the backlash to the articles about five year olds on heroine and savage pitbull attacks. You saw the backlash to the editing by Zimmerman. You already know what will happen if you change the policy...
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bizcomplete
Saw the backlash? What backlash? A bunch of comments from anonymous posters on a site built around hating this site? Yea, that's some kind of backlash.
And what articles on wnymedia? All I see is 2 posts a day by a couple different fat guys who write opinion pieces about all kinds of boring shit. Cars. Thruways. A light pole in South Buffalo with peeling paint. And then there are those guys who write about the Bisons and shit. I mean , come on now.
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Metropolis
As I posted in the Yum! section:
For those of you engaging in "personal attacks" or even personal posts, don't you think it would be much more appropriate to message each other privately, instead of in the article? I think it kind of adds to the disappointment some of us feel when we want a focused discussion, not a place for people to reply to each and every personal comment or attack publicly. Logging on to BRO just to reply to people's personal comments and attacks just encourages the problem. And makes you look bad. Please - keep personal comments off the message boards. Editors and authors included.
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ChocolateShake
True this is a private site ... and if you want *selected* opinions then don't solicit feedback from anyone but those *selected* people and be up front about said bias. I think some individuals that frequent this web page suffer from a "tall poppy syndrome" whereas they think anyone who disagrees or dissents from a perceived "norm" (i.e. stand out) are offensive and should be silenced - they want an echo chamber not a market place of ideas.
The issue isn't the 1st Amendment. The issue is whether this site should shut down the exchange of ideas by censoring views that are "deemed" disturbing. I would rather the BRO writers spend more time and energy developing quality articles than censoring the satirical comments of a few individuals that may possibly shock, annoy or offend the fragile sensibilities of a single person. I'm more embarrassed by the lack of fact checking and grammatical errors in articles that are published in one of Buffalo's premier web sites than what some anonymous reader posts about Wilson Farms convenient stores. BRO needs to concentrate more on the quality of its own reporting and not be distracted by nominal annoyances.
I have yet to find anything that is truly outrageous on BRO that wouldn't be found on blogs that allow for reader feedback. I'm afraid that which will be considered "offensive" with be views which deviate from the Anglo-middle class-Elmwood Village paradigm that dominates BRO. (I want to be crystal clear there is nothing wrong with that paradigm. However, please note, that is not the majority experience for those who live in Buffalo.)
Do great urban spaces have room for reasonable people who disagree?
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carlmalone
I say (deleted) it.
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AtwaterLouse
What does anyone's weight have to do with ideas? Would this comment from bizcomplete be an example of what some people are saying should be blocked or edited in the future? Just curious.
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reflip
I think ChocolateShake is spot on here. Censoring comments should not be an issue on your radar. That is, unless you don't want to continue existing as a blog that allows user comments. Pick your medium, and don't half-ass your decision. As you move forward (if you move forward) will you be user-moderated, open source linear, or top-down moderated? Your site, your decision. But make the decision and stick with it.
If posts literally degraded into threats of violence or anything that might be considered a criminal offense were it shouted on the street, then you might want to step in. But those are few and far between, and common sense dictates that you do not need a policy to deal with them as they arise.
TOS is a pretty standard thing, too. And while I'm not for censorship, instead of deleting entire posts, if you simply replaced curse words automatically with euphemisms or *** as other cites do "for the kids," would anyone give a *hoot*?
...but "*%@#" was central to my entire premise! I'm ruined!
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sayvanderlay
The word censorship should not even come into play here. You own this site, and can do as you want with it.
There should be "naughty language" filter, if there isn't already.
Personally, I think the overall tone on this site is, for the most part, cordial. I mean, let's be honest -- it seems like 90% of the posters agree with each other about 90% of the time. IF you're looking to cut out those who disagree, then that's just lousy. But, I hope that's not what you're trying to do.
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reflip
Deleting comments means "censoring" them. Just because BRO is within their rights to do so does not mean that it isn't "censorship."
Maybe there is some emotional valence to the word that you are objecting to, but editing comments = censorship.
That's just what the word means. So, by definition, the word censorship should come into play. In fact, it is the topic of conversation.
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viking
Challenging a perspective on an issue or opinion on food being reviewed, opens the doors for commentary. Honest expression of difference should be expected if any, not blanket endorsement of a position because the author wishes it to be so. Most of the time BR lets fly, and waits for the response letting the blog do it's work as stimulant to dialogue. On the occasions that an author or poster, takes personal the commentary or enlists promotion of their position, the lines of decent start to form and people err in their judgment of how to respond. There are no issues that can be aired here that should lead to war, you know "the sticks and stones" thing of children.
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BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME
what would life be like without BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME... BORING BORING BORING
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RisingDamp666
Well, if BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME were gone,at least Caps Lock keys would heave a sigh of relief. In fact, I hear that engineers at Microsoft are working on a BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME beta keyboard that actually generates 20 watts of green energy every time BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME uses it .So while some of you might be repulsed by some of the fanaticism here, this could be the start of a new energy revolution that liberates us all from the tryanny of those $#@!%&$&#@$% @#!$@!
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benfranklin
Hesitating to send a link to BRO for fear of the receiver being offended sounds similar to not recommending a restuarant downtown for fear your freind will have a problem ( god forbid they see a minority, get asked for money...or omg, have to look for a parking space.) A new Buffalo, if it is to be built, will be built on the backs of strong individuals. I don't think a few odd comments here or there should be cause for such handwringing. If your friends are that fragile.... get new friends.
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BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME
To all: my opinions while not generally in agreement or accordance with most posters on this sitedo bring a valid albeit contrary other side of the coin type of view to most of the conversations here on BRO. They are not intended to harm but rather bring a balanced view to the stories.
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BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME
I LOVE CAPSLOCK!!!
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minkselm
Some seem a little too sensitive and need to spend some energy on bringing business to the area. I don't enjoy being served my latte at Spot by workers that have piercings and tattoos all over and look dirty, but i guess they think they look good
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xmissanthropic
Daniel Sack: I think you’re intended quote comes from Voltaire and it goes, “I may not agree with what you say but I will fight to the death for your right to say it.” I have to admit I found BROKEEPSBLOCKINGME's comment hilarious, sorry icecreamsub. It made me go back and reread subs comments and ponder how he/she could have possibly choosen that name. Experimenting with new icecream flavers? A submersible bannana boat maybe?
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minkselm
eat at gaypauls akropolis on elmwood and that will help solve some of the problems
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