Agree with everything you said. Some do not like it when you report things they don’t want to hear. But we need to hear these things. Otherwise we are just fox viewers.
I normally agree with your sentiment. But I've found that within this Substack community, the comments are generally good discourse. Seems to hold most days that I read these columns. (Yes, I've seen a couple that were borderline nasty....)
Tough call, Chris, but a step in the right direction.
Not that paid subscribers can't be jerks, but perhaps by paying we will also be more thoughtful. But then I may be naïve. I subscribe to WAPO and I think only paid subscribers can comment and I do see ad hominem attacks too often.
Some people can't seem to separate disagreeing from a need to personally attack another commenter.
As a righteous man, steeped in Christian scripture oft says, "SAD!"
Oh man, to quote Brittany Spears, "Oops, I did it again!"
I am a paid subscriber and enjoy the comments section as it has been mostly civil and friendly, even if disagreeing. I am in support of this change and hopefully, you will see a growing of this community. Thank you!
So What is one of the few articles to which I subscribe where I frequently read the comments. And it's for the reasons you mentioned: the comments are by and large reasonable and courteous. Keep up the great work, Chris.
Lots of other substacks have this model. I think it's appropriate. It's fine for a reader to disagree with the author's pieces. Even in like-minded communities, not everyone agrees all the time. But we can agree to disagree civilly - with grace. We can be a model for how it should be done.
Yay for higher traffic and more subscribers for you! I support this change and appreciate you striving to create a positive and courteous community and space for productive discussion. I also very rarely read comments for other articles, but find myself doing so for most of yours.
Nice, hope it works. As another already mentioned, this is the only blog or substack that I regularly delve into the comments. It's a pretty great little community. Not nasty like some.
Agree with everything you said. Some do not like it when you report things they don’t want to hear. But we need to hear these things. Otherwise we are just fox viewers.
You rock buddy. Keep it coming.
"Otherwise we are just fox viewers." Good point. No echo chambers.
100% support this move. And, I do NOT see a comment from "Yuri Bezmenov", so mission accomplished already, I would say! :-D
I rarely read comments on any publication because of the trolls and general nastiness that is all too frequent. Just my 2 cents worth.
I normally agree with your sentiment. But I've found that within this Substack community, the comments are generally good discourse. Seems to hold most days that I read these columns. (Yes, I've seen a couple that were borderline nasty....)
Surely helps to keep your sanity and a low blood-pressure reading.
Tough call, Chris, but a step in the right direction.
Not that paid subscribers can't be jerks, but perhaps by paying we will also be more thoughtful. But then I may be naïve. I subscribe to WAPO and I think only paid subscribers can comment and I do see ad hominem attacks too often.
Some people can't seem to separate disagreeing from a need to personally attack another commenter.
As a righteous man, steeped in Christian scripture oft says, "SAD!"
Oh man, to quote Brittany Spears, "Oops, I did it again!"
I am a paid subscriber and enjoy the comments section as it has been mostly civil and friendly, even if disagreeing. I am in support of this change and hopefully, you will see a growing of this community. Thank you!
Good call Chris!
Universal internet problem, of course. But I think your solution is worth a try. It at least makes it a bit harder for the trolls.
So What is one of the few articles to which I subscribe where I frequently read the comments. And it's for the reasons you mentioned: the comments are by and large reasonable and courteous. Keep up the great work, Chris.
Fully support.
Thank you
Agreed. I don’t comment often but this may encourage me to participate more.
Lots of other substacks have this model. I think it's appropriate. It's fine for a reader to disagree with the author's pieces. Even in like-minded communities, not everyone agrees all the time. But we can agree to disagree civilly - with grace. We can be a model for how it should be done.
Yay for higher traffic and more subscribers for you! I support this change and appreciate you striving to create a positive and courteous community and space for productive discussion. I also very rarely read comments for other articles, but find myself doing so for most of yours.
Works for me, Chris!
I too have been impressed with how civil the comments section has been and I hope it stays that way.
I love that you've been getting so many subscribers too.
Nice, hope it works. As another already mentioned, this is the only blog or substack that I regularly delve into the comments. It's a pretty great little community. Not nasty like some.
Thanks for courageously starting this journey!
All good, Chris.