I would like to introduce Commentopia to my Gather friends. My megablog is inspired by my work as a writer and editor, including my role as founder and editor-in-chief of an international edition of Reader's Digest.
Thousands of comments read and curated daily for the most original, insightful and informative readers' opinions from top news sites and blogs
Few things illustrate the media revolution underway more dramatically than the notations at the foot of Huffington Post articles: “comments (2,479.)” Right-wing mega-blogs rack up equally formidable comment tallies from their audiences. Newspapers, relatively latecomers in offering website forums, host hundreds of posts daily on wide-ranging topics.
Contrast this explosion of readers' opinions with “Letters to the Editor” pages; once print media's exclusive avenue for expressing views on its content.
A daily paper will select ten or so letters for publication. One yardstick of the past suggested that for every newspaper reader taking the trouble to pen a missive, ten others wanted to do so but hesitated. – Sitting at their keyboards, Huffington Post's followers typed a staggering 97,660 comments on Iran's election reports.
On the positive side, these forums are an invitation to engage in what the New York Times describes as “interesting and thoughtful comments that represent a range of views.” Intelligent discussion by informed contributors can explain context, promote frank and candid debate, and sharpen public comprehension.
For print media battling to bridge the digital divide, a lively comment forum is vital to building a dynamic online community.
In June, 2009, newspaper sites attracted more than 70 million visitors, more than one-third of all Internet users, according to Nielsen Online.
The average news site visitor devoted a total of 38 minutes 24 seconds during the month; Facebook users, by contrast, lingered 4 hours, 39 minutes on average. Even as newspapers debate pay-walls or micro pay-per-view options for premium content, the forums on the Wall Street Journal's subscriber-based website remain open to all comers.
The downside of comment forums is the creation of platforms hijacked by hatemongers; threads filled with outright lies and slanderous falsehoods; skewed political rants from both Left and Right; bitter diatribes and racist attacks.
Such forums deteriorate to the low, vulgar level of marginalized chat-rooms of the 80s and 90s, with fair and reasonable discourse drowned out by crass insults. Comment moderation varies from site to site, with major news organizations like the New York Times and Wall Street Journal employing staff moderators, while other sites rely on readers to flag abusive content.
The forums are the voice of the people, a free expression of opinion on stories and themes that matter to them, a contribution to collective understanding of all sides of an issue.
Commentopia's editors scan thousands of comments daily seeking topical items of enduring interest and lasting value.
Three key criteria guide Commentopia's curation: objectivity, credibility, and fair and balanced comment that speaks for itself.
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Comments: 9
A life-long news junkie, I enjoy exploring the Comment Sections on news sites and blogs.
I became increasingly appalled by the torrent of hatred and bitterness, sheer ignorance and plain lies flooding such forums. The health care debate, climate change, Senator Kennedy's death, no matter the subject, the haters and spoilers, the ravers and ranters spew their vitriol. Words that can inflame the most intemperate of passions; words that can be plain dangerous.
Some site moderators do a good job, but too often the noise drowns out all rational debate. Many fine, thoughful comments on issues of the day are lost amid the babble.
Commentopia is in essence, a "Letters to the Editor" page of the Web, its content curated for balance, differing viewpoints and engaging debate.
We spend eight to ten hours a day reading comment forums of every stripe. We presently post 20 to 30 new items every week; older items are moved into archives covering our main topics: World, National, Business, Sci/Tech, Health/Education, Sports/Entertainment, Environment.
Commentopia is ideal for anyone who wants a quick take on what's being said on the major topics of the day. A link back to the original article/comment thread is provided at the end of every comment.
Commentopia is "curated" live and does not depend on an aggregator. That said, to my delight, Bob Diamond, a follower of Commentopia's Twitter account tweeted: "Better than most news aggregators, Commentopia brings you the best reader's comments from top news sources on the web!"
First time I've been compared to a computer! :-))
Thanks, again, for your interest in Commentopia.