How to Leave Comments on This Site
I know the vast majority of my readers do not leave comments. But allow me a post to the commenting minority…
There is no “comments policy” for this blog. Excepting spam, I’ve only deleted a couple comments from among 8,000. So for the most part I let people say what they want to say, even if it’s offensive and unhelpful.
So I have no plans to ban anybody for being an asshole.
But I have a few requests.
And these are not to protect me. I don’t really mind the attacks, and I haven’t gotten many anyway. It’s mostly my readers who have been attacking each other. So I’m really trying to protect the dialogue.
I should note that I have not always conducted myself according to the principles below. But I’m gradually changing my approach. I’d like to change the tone of this site if possible. And I need your help to do that.
Here are my requests concerning comments on this blog.
1. Choose the attack mode last.
Only some comments intend to dispute something, let alone “attack” it. You may often want to simply express your agreement or link to a related article or ask a curious question.
But this is a blog about philosophy, a subject in which a great variety of views have articulate defenders, so of course there will be disputes.
But dispute need not always come in attack mode: “God, you’re so ignorant! Have you ever heard of studying before you blabber your mouth about? You’re so wrong you don’t even know!”
Even if such a response is correct and even deserved, it might not achieve the effect you want. People don’t usually respond to such attacks very well. If anything, it gives them an excuse to tell themselves, “Well, this person obviously doesn’t have his head screwed on straight. I don’t need to take what he says seriously.”
Such harsh attacks also inspire the receiver to respond in kind, which leads to a cycle of useless hot air being expelled by both sides.
I’m not saying we should never attack. But I’m saying we should consider some other ways to get our points across, first. For example, you could ask some gentle questions: “Have you studied what the experts have said about the subject? There are some pretty smart people who disagree with you. What do you think of their arguments, for example that…”
Or you could offer your own subjective report: “You know, I actually used to agree with you on that, but then I was persuaded otherwise by the arguments of ____ and ____. The part that changed my mind was…”
You could also offer an unadulterated argument, clean of personal attacks or condescending and dismissive language: “I get what you’re saying but I think Plantinga offers a pretty strong argument against this. He argues that…”
2. Seek understanding before victory.
Philosophy is all about trying to persuade each other (while being open to persuasion yourself, of course). We try to “win” each debate by giving the best reasons and arguments. And part of that is done by showing the weaknesses of your interlocutor’s position.
But first, make sure you understand your interlocutor. So often we misunderstand the other’s position, and make false assumptions. But this just leads to frustration for both parties. Before disputing the other’s claims, make sure you understand them. Ask for clarification about terms that may have many meanings, or arguments that are unclear.
This will also make your interlocutor feel good about you. Everybody wants to be understood, and so feel people take the time to do so. Take an interest in really understanding the other person, and they will appreciate it.
3. Show respect.
“But respect must be deserved!” comes the reply. And surely is does. But I’m not asking us to show people the respect you have for Gandhi. I’m just asking us to show people some respect as fellow humans.
We all make mistakes. All of us are ignorant about nearly everything. We all fall prey to cognitive biases, even with the best of intentions. And all of us – let us admit it – sometimes do not act with the best intentions. We can get carried away in the moment and bend the truth a bit to make ourselves look good. We can trick ourselves into thinking we are smarter or more informed than we really are. We can talk with more certainty than we should – after all, certainty can make us more persuasive, and that is what we want!
Moreover, showing someone undeserved respect may change their tone toward you, get you a better response, and incline him to consider your position more seriously than he would if he felt disrespected. Even Hitler would be more likely to consider your position on the equality of the races if you show him some human respect, though he deserves none of it.
4. Read your comments back to yourself.
For a while, YouTube let you hear an audio preview of your comments before you posted them. The innovation was inspired by a webcomic:
My blog doesn’t have a comments audio preview feature, but the idea is this: If you read your comments back to yourself before posting, you may realize that some of them are harsher or less fair than you had intended. And then you can go back and edit them before posting.
Well, that’s it! I enjoy the discussions that occur here, and I’d like all my readers to have as fun and constructive an experience as possible. Thanks for your help!
Cheers,
Luke
P.S. Also see How to Debate.
25 Comments »
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Luke: I like the cartoons. The rest of the post was good too
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It’s tough to find considerate discussion in meatspace, and even harder on the Internet.
I usually read your blog, as they say, for the articles.
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Is “meatspace” a reference to this classic short comedy?
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@lukeprog That’s a great short story…thanks for reminding me of it again!
I’m not sure where I picked up the term. Apparently it’s been in the OED since 2000.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meatspace
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Huh. That’s a useful term. I usually just put “real life” in quotes, which is annoying because online life is perfectly “real.”
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The people that need the most correcting are also the ones with the most excuses and who are the least likely to listen.
“If you are a troll, stop trolling.” Trolls don’t think they are trolls.
“If you are stupid, don’t comment.” Stupid people don’t know they are stupid. hehe
I appreciate the intent at least, but in my experience, I just end up giving myself advice because I always end up concluding no one I want to listen is going to listen.
Good luck, though.
Ben
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Luke, this whole post is entirely and absolutely wrong. Why don’t you get a brain, you stupid, ignorant twit.
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Excellent. I may steal some of it for my blog.
Could I recommend something, apostate blogger to apostate blogger? It would be really nice if you would reply to your commenters.
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Cecilieaux Bois de Murier,
I do my best. I usually do reply, at least to those who request a reply.
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I’ve been pondering just these matters over the last few weeks Luke.
I allowed myself to get caught up in the insult slinging with Vox over at his blog (I just couldn’t resist), and I’ve regretted it ever since.
I remain in admiration of your maturity, particularly given your young age.
Best,
SB
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Luke,
Your a total stoopid and I’m total greatness for posting this. God sux. I saw u neked on youtube. Theists are stupid shits. I can’t use your and you’re properly. Plus, I mispell and typpo a lot of stuff and I post when I drink.
Theists should lick my sphinktor and smell my shit because they are totally wrong.
Love,
Lee
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I have never been an atheist and I don’t believe they exist. I have seen you-tube videos from the Amazing Atheist and I didn’t find his ranting and cussing the least bit amazing. I listened to a debate from the author of The God Delusion and I was embarrassed for him. I have debated a friend on the topic of evolution and I was saddened by his deliberate choice to disbelieve creation by presenting unprovable credos. He had a lame excuse for constellations, for example. He said that the stars will change position in 100,000 years because light moves so slowly. I believe the Genesis account that God holds the stars in place for signs and for seasons. (Genesis 1:14) In reality, the stars would kaleidoscope through the sky if there was no One to hold them in place. Each star’s light comes to us from a different time in light-years making God’s feat all the more awesome. I have a mathematical problem for any intelligent person that will prove that the Earth can not be as ancient as our school-books tell us. (When Jesus turned the water into wine, He made something new appear to be old.) Will anyone accept the challenge of intelligent debate? Here is the problem-
It has long been known that the sun is it’s own self-contained energy source. It’s annual shrinkage is carefully and scientifically measured. Using scientific sources and simple algebra, answer the following questions.
1.What is the present diameter of the sun?
2.What is the rate of shrinkage per year?
3.What is the diameter of the orbit of the Earth?
4.How long ago (in years) was the diameter of the sun equal to the diameter of the orbit of the Earth?
When the Bible is carefully studied, it becomes obvious that it is a science and history book, not a silly religious book like so many others. Always pray for guidance before you read. God bless you.
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Is Rick Duoos an atheist plant? What do we think?
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Hey Luke
Good job with the blog and all your other thinking and writing efforts. You’re now on my blog roll. Lucky you! One small thing. I’m not able to open the page “My Story”, It only opens a blank page with the blue sky and cloud background and the title bar on top.
Cheers ~J
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JamesFox,
Still works for me. Try another browser or reset your browser settings…
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Seems to work on my home computer but not at work. I’ve set this blog as one I follow on Facebook through Networkblogs. You would need to put your self in as the author. I also sent you a friend request on Facebook (real name Jacob Vohs)
~J
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works as charm on my home computer…
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Looks like your website is under attack from supernatural forces…
http://dyn.politico.com/members/forums/thread.cfm?catid=2&subcatid=7&threadid=3449994
you really need to add comment moderation to your blasphemy…
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Hey, pretty good website. I would like to say, however, that your arguments are really out-of-date and pretty illogical. You should check out apologetics315.blogspot.com for relevant arguments from professional Christian apologists. As a Christian, I would really like to see up-to-date, relevant, thorough argumentation from atheists.
Have a great week and a relaxing weekend,
Joel
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It’s funny how Atheists always use the argument that EVERYTHING was fabricated and missapplied. Where do you see any prophet who has remotely fulfilled the prophesies. How about Isaiah 53? Can that be misquoted. And don’t tell me the suffering servant is Israel, because Israel isn’t without sin or blame, and earlier in Isaiah it states that Isreal has sinned against God. So how can Isreal die for the sins of the world? Do some rethinking, moron. You lose.
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Jan 8, 2010
Hi Luke;
Didn’t see you at the Dec. 9th debate- was looking forward to it. Would like to discuss web construction etc. issues with you sometime face to face (I live in Orange County).
Here’s a link to a highlights of the debate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LzKVilag0k
I got the DVD in the mail, and in watching it, still can’t believe the number of points the xtians didn’t even try to respond to. Easier to ignore than answer.
Anyway, send me an email sometime- would like to meet you. We’re planning a beer/pizza DVD watching party sometime soon down here if you’re interested.
–Mark Smith
JCnot4me.com
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I was following the Luke-Tim Challies letter exchange. However, after weeks of effort I have never been unable to access Luke’s second letter, dated December 22, 2009. No document appears on that page in the archive. Has anyone else had that problem?
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Doug,
This page doesn’t show up for you?
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Luke,
Aren’t you just saying that fulfilling more or greater desires has intrinsic value?
Tom
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Tom,
Good question. See the 6th question down in the FAQ.
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