People that post in the comments section of articles

[realmirage]

When I read the comments section of articles my brain starts to melt. If the article addresses a topic that requires deep thought the comments section is even worse. It's like a soup of raw ego, blind self certainty, unfiltered impulse, with a few sane comments sprinkled in..

Does anyone here read comments sections regularly? What are your thoughts on this modern phenomenon created by the interwebs?

[guillaumeb]

1. So if I were to post a comment here,

must I abandon all of my huge ego, and blind self-certainty, and crude unfiltered impulses?

With those rules in place I have nothing further to say.

[brush]

2. Yes, right. Seems a certain lack of self-awareness in the OP

[realmirage]

8. The irony, you fit the description in the OP

[brush]

12. Irony is right. You're the one complaining about comment section posters in a comment section

[realmirage]

15. This isn't a comment section in an article.

It's a discussion board. Your odd defensiveness and aggression are a downer so I will say have a nice day and be moving on now

[brush]

16. Discussion board comments v comments section comments. Big difference?

[left-of-center2012]

3. There's an easy remedy

Don't read the comments section.

[realmirage]

9. most of the time I don't, but it's like not looking at a car wreck

[annabanana]

4. botskies & trollskies abound..

Always remember, there may be very few actual real people behind that stinky mess.

[realmirage]

10. Good point, who knows who, or what, is actually doing the typing?

[Jamaal510]

5. People like that

make a strong case for why more news websites should disable comments completely. It would make for a more boring experience, but at least the knuckle-draggers wouldn't be there spreading their pollution.

[realmirage]

11. Agreed

I think it's refreshing when an article has no comments section. Why should people have to comment? Can't we just take in information without telling everyone else what to think about it?

[Doc_Technical]

6. Don't forget about

baseless speculation and wishful thinking.

[realmirage]

13. Indeed, the list is endless

[Skittles]

7. I used to love reading the letters to the editor in newspapers

now I have to go to the NYT for some decent feedback

[realmirage]

14. Or National Geographic

The letters to the editor in NG are usually really good. NG utilizes honesty and quality control to only let the truly insightful comments through, even when they are critical toward the magazine

[sarge43]

17. Some do

[True Dough]

18. At least some news sites

allow you to filter the comments. If you choose "top ranked" then you usually can read the first several without the "brain melt" kicking in.