Comments or no comments? Life goes on!
Written by Haitham Sabbah on 10. October 2005, 2045hrs // Part of Haitham Sabbah's adventure in Internet 'n Computers, Sabbah // Other posts by Haitham Sabbah
I’m thinking about the comments option on blogs yet again. It is a question I have pondered numerous times already, probably ever since I started reading blogs and certainly since I decided to start my own.
For me, the question of whether a site that calls itself a blog has comments option turned on is actually quite directly related to what constitutes a blog in the first place. I realize this is a question that is probably impossible to answer in a way that would satisfy everybody, but it is one still worth asking and a definition would be helpful.
One of my concerns is whither the blogosphere is democratic or not. Blogs can have a democratic component, one of which is ‘Comments‘. But then, why is it that certain bloggers decide to go without comments? And what makes their Web site a blog in that case? Clearly I am showing my bias here in that I believe comments are an essential part of a blog. That said, I do realize and accept blogs as blogs even when they do not have comments turned on.. but do so mostly because the community has decided to consider them blogs.
So not having ‘comments on‘ here. Does this make my blog more undemocratic than many other blogs? IMHO, not necessary. Someone can always comment on an entry posted on a non-commentable blog by posting an entry on their own blog. This of course excludes those numerous readers who do not have blogs of their own, but more importantly, it also leaves the original post untouched by critical response. But does that make blogs less interesting? And less democratic?
Of course, I understand some of the reasons why people may not allow for comments. But in my case, if I decide to switch comments off is because of two main reasons. First, it is an extra burden on me, specially with spam. Second, if one doesn’t want certain types of material present on a site then one must constantly monitor comments. This can become tedious in the case of blogs that attract a lot of attention and response.
I certainly do not mean to glorify comments too much. There are excellent and very valuable blogs that do have comments turned on yet receive little response. That does not mean that they are not being read nor that people do not have reactions to what is said on the blog. It seems to take several thousand readers to produce a few dozen comments so only a few blogs will receive lots of comments.
So bloggers, readers, why comments? And readers, do you care? I realize it’s a bit problematic to ask that question here, but this is just for discussion, it’s obviously not a scientific poll of any sort.
Go ahead.. Hit comments!
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October 10th, 2005 at 9:53 pm
I was going to email you and complain about it! comments are essential for a blog, thats the difference between blogs and personal websites. When I came earlier today to find the comments section closed I kind of felt angry (not really but compared to neutral that was anger
), you deprived your readers (at least those who are supposedly important to you ie.Jordanplanet’s) the right to give their opinions. To me that’s oppression 
Comments allow less misunderstanding to take place, offer more on subjects and shows openness in my humble opinoin. Thanks for turning it on!
October 11th, 2005 at 1:16 am
The main thing I liked about your blog was being able to read comments from different people in the Arab world. I can find the news items on my own. I think it’s a shame that you don’t want comments. How else can people dialogue and be able to understand each other better?
October 11th, 2005 at 1:34 am
Interesting points, SC and Anne.
Comments will remain on (at least for now). Lets hear from others though.
October 11th, 2005 at 1:46 am
Jordan: Comments On
Hatem and Haitham seems to have some concerns related to switching blogs comments, on or off.
…
October 11th, 2005 at 2:23 pm
Yea, Haithim, I was so sad to see comments closed! Your blog (and JP) helps me understand a segment of Middle Eastern culture I don’t naturally have too much connection with (until they all get married and have kids. It also provides a forum for me to test what I have learned living here from you all, and a place I can send Americans to learn more about what their peers in Arabia REALLY think…not what MSM wants them to think.
And I promise not to complain about the swearing EVER again.
October 11th, 2005 at 3:56 pm
Jeese, leave the comments! I’m adament on this one. lol
Even news and zine sites have feedback areas where readers can post feedback. Interaction is important and it’s difficult to have that when there’s no comments. I know you can email the author, but it takes away that communal feel that I think is an important element to blogging. I’ve made so many friends through blogging. People have not only got to know me, but I’ve gotten to know them through their comments.
Aside from the ocassional trolls and spammers, I’ve found comments to be a positive thing as a blogger and as a commentor. lol As a blogger, you ought to know how it feels to want to get your two cents worth into the converstation.
October 11th, 2005 at 7:28 pm
Good post. A “blog” without comments ceases to be a “blog” in my opinion and becomes just another web page.
October 14th, 2005 at 1:15 am
I think a blog needn’t be *democratic*. You, as the blogger, exert no power over any body and are not required to ‘listen’ to your subject. In fact, in this context ‘democratic’ is not being used in its correct sense, ‘friendly’ is a more suitable adjective, dialogue-like, tolerant, discussion -inducing, or even ‘transparent’ if you like to use politics-talk.
In my opinion, comments are not constituent part of ‘logging’, not excluding the ‘web’ variety.