OK, here's a note out there to blog authors in general, but especially to one particular blog author who shall remain nameless.
If you allow comments, it is not so you can have a nice echo chamber where only people who are willing to "toe the party line" tell you how smart you are. It's for reasoned discussion about the topic of the post. That means that occasionally people are going to agree with you, occasionally they're going to disagree with you. The real test of one's beliefs and convictions is not how many other people think they're good, but can they stand up to critical debate. In other words, if you tell me that "such and such is so," be prepared to back it up when someone says "no, I don't think so and here's why."
Especially if it's not even that they're saying "your conclusions are wrong" but are actually calling attention to your factual inaccuracies.
Silently dropping those blog-comments onto the floor isn't the answer. Although it may seem like the easy solution, all it really proves, to anyone else, is that your position can't be defended. Deleting the comments which point out your errors doesn't make you look smarter, it makes it clear that you're an idiot.
You'll notice that the only time I've ever "censored" blog comments is when they're spam, not when they disagree with me. People disagree with me all the time, I've got no problem with people disagreeing with me. The only times I delete posts are when it's spam, and when it's something like "You're a dick. Fuck you," or other similar drivel. Post an actual argument, even a poor one, and I let it through. Debate promotes a better understanding of the truth. Neither side of an argument is ever 100% right or 100% wrong. The middle ground is where the truth lies and only by listening to both sides can you get to that middle ground.
And I guess I just feel sorta sad that there's morons out there who don't get that.
Your a dick. Fuck you.
Um ... heard of free speech? I don't remember any "blog laws" or amendments to the constitution being passed lately. IMO - Blogs are the "speech" of the blog author/keeper/moderator ... and if they want a little friendly chorus and not honest debate - tough titty toe-nails. Feel free to delete this. :)
Well, I'm not saying there's some law that says "they must do that," I'm simply saying I think they're idiots if they want the echo chamber. :-)
Phew, I'm safe.
All the folks on my blog know I'm an idiot.
You're a d... oh. wait.
Yeah, you're right :) I handle it the same way on my Blog. Actually, the funniest and most interesting conversations are the ones with trolls, one time it got so interesting and funny it even made me make a new post, just to link to that conversation :-P
If it's any consequence, i don't think your a dick, or I could be wrong, or, you could be wrong and a dick, or, I could be a dick and not be wrong. It's all so confusing.
For me I figure I have editorial control of any site I run. If I wish to delete a comment on my blog I will do so. No matter how anyone feels in regards to that action. The fact is - many of our opinions will hold their own and we won't be seen as idiots for doing this. I know one very popular blogger who deletes comments and maybe even trackback links that aren't in any way SPAM on a regular basis. Although I don't always agree with this action. I understand that it is their site and they have editorial license in regards to any site that they run.