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What is this?
Web site prompts conversations
Published Sunday, September 20, 2009
At 8:29 p.m. on June 23, 2007, “msgirl” made a bit of local history, becoming the first reader to post a comment on an article on The Democrat’s then new Web site.
The comment was on an article about a couple charged with neglecting their horses. It was the kind of story that stirs the hearts of animal lovers.
And with that first comment, the arguments began over whether or not such comments — particularly anonymous ones — should be allowed.
Rarely does a week go by when someone doesn’t criticize our online comments.
However, more than two years after we started, the comments have more value than ever before and, mostly, people play nice online.
Interestingly of the first 10 comments, five were memories posted on obituaries.
Since “msgirl” first posted her comment, other comments have ranged from sweet, emotional memories to sharply pointed attacks on politicians — and this newspaper.
By Saturday morning, our site had logged 142,152 comments.
Each of those comments is a conversation. And like face-to-face conversations, some are ones that we wish we didn’t have.
But overall, we’re a better newspaper and Web site because of the conversations begun on our site.
And our community is a better community because of the conversations begun with the comments.
That assertion will surprise many people who feel the comments are overly negative and not constructive.
Such people are ignoring a huge benefit of comments — anonymous or not. The ability for people to speak their mind starts a conversation and can, eventually, develop a deeper community understanding of each other’s commonality.
Think about it this way:
Will our community get over some of the lingering race issues that face us if we just never talk about them?
Communicating is the key to overcoming our differences in almost every situation.
And, more talk, not less, will eventually help our society find common ground.
Feeling like we’re understood is among human beings’ greatest needs.
People who are offended by giving the public the ability to speak their minds simply seek to have critics silenced.
However, silencing people doesn’t change their minds.
Hearing what they have to say and understanding their point of view can go a long way toward finding common ground.
Although it may not seem like it, giving people the ability to speak their minds is ultimately a good, empowering thing.
But just like the child who gets his first bicycle, the temptation to occasionally pop a wheelie or show out in some other way can be too tempting to resist. Eventually, the wheelie popping gets old and the bicycle gets used for its intended purpose.
The same can be said for the comments. While early on in their life, most were just people venting, now we’re starting to see the early stages of real communication.
Just a few days ago for example, an elected official logged on and responded to reader comments.
Although not terribly in-depth in just a few short sentences, the elected official and his constituents seemed to truly connect and information was shared in an instant.
Our Web site averages just fewer than 8,000 unique visitors daily. That holds the potential for lots of conversations. And it all began with “msgirl” and her courage to step up to the mike and speak her mind.
Who’s next?
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.
Comments
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on September 20, 2009 at 1:24 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thank you Natchez Democrat for giving this area the chance to voice their views.
Posted by sobeit (anonymous) on September 20, 2009 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I look forward to the comments on each days news articles. I go on line several times a day to see who else has commented.
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 20, 2009 at 8:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Most of the time, the comments are better reading than the article! :>)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 20, 2009 at 8:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL! I love it. Thanks ND, even though you have to pull some of us in occasionally, the comments are a great section.
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on September 20, 2009 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kiss off Kevin!!!
ok I'm just kidding. Kidding I tell ya. I take the paper paper and love to peruse this online version.
Thanks. It's a good little community newspaper.
Posted by dottie (anonymous) on September 20, 2009 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just one of the reasons I appreciate the ND. Thanks
Posted by grungebob (anonymous) on September 20, 2009 at 1:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well, This explains everything. If Cooper calls what goes on here "conversations", he obviously considers Ed and Doug voices of wisdom, moderation and civility.
Posted by crackbaby (anonymous) on September 20, 2009 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's great! Some ranting at times. Some humor at times. Some very well debated subjects among open minded, knowledgeable, courteous contributors. I would think I've been guilty of all the above!!!! The Democrat needs to have a gathering once a year for the Natchez Democrat Commenters Club. We could have finger food and small awards for different categories as pertaining to comments. Lamest, Funniest, Most Factual, etc;.. We could have our post name tags displayed towards the end of the function, to keep preconceived notions in check. LOL
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 1:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
crackbaby...interesting idea...just wondering if the gathering would end up with a fulfilling contented sigh that comes from constructive debate or in fisticuffs...LOL.
I seriously doubt most on these posts would attend for fear of their true identities being known.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 6:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks for the space
to hide my face and
talk about anything but me!
--mojo
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
crackbaby, good idea except most of our name tags would say,(anonymous)
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 7:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
crackbaby, you need one more award catagory,"most comments removed"
Posted by grungebob (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 8:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)
We could pull the name tags out of a hat to further protect our anonymous anonymity,
Posted by reader (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kevin-I have always liked you, and I think you do a great job. That being said, it's hard for me to fathom how the negativity spewed in the comment section can be good for this or any communtiy. Granted, there maybe the occaisional time where there is constructive dialogue, but that cannot be more than 30% of the time. There are too many personal attacks, and ridiculous accusations that this can't be good for any community. I try not to even post unless I see someone or something that care personally about attacked. This is one person's opinion that I am sure I will be ridiculed for expressing.
Posted by kcooper (Kevin Cooper) on September 21, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@reader: I hear what you are saying. My thought is that while some of the comments are made by people who are trying to be funny at the expense of others or by people who are just spewing their own negative views of the world, some actual good can come out of the debate.
I think it's wrong to (as I've heard several people say) just dismiss "the commenters" (as if they are some kind of sub-human class) outright. A number of people have requested that we just "turn off the comments outright" as if silencing the people whose opinions differ from their own will make those opposing opinions go away.
Regardless of whether or not we agree or even like what others have to say, seeking to understand how and why others feel the way they do is vitally important -- to this community and to others.
Even if 70 percent of the comments are junk and 30 percent are good, constructive ones, that's 30 percent more constructive communication than we have without the comments.
Those who fear "how it looks to outsiders" to have a comment thread that is on a touchy subject or taking a negative view would be, IMHO, better served not by worrying about what others think.
But rather worrying about how to understand why friends and neighbors feel that way.
Only when we start talking about the things that divide us can we ultimately see how insignificant most of those are. In time, such divisions will dissolve away, I think.
Of course, that's just my opinion. I've been wrong many times before.
thanks.
Kevin.
Posted by beachgirl (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 11:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes thank you ND, this stuff is pure entertainment for me. You country critters are stuck in the times and YALL let the whole internet world know.LMAO!!!
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 11:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
reader---- It's not so much what is being said rather that "something" is being said.
I've lived away from Natchez most of my life. I've lived in the south, the mid-west, and up north in yankee land where they have PEE-can pies. I had spent so much time away from Mississippi, and I even defended us from what people around the country think of us. I grew up in that enchanted Natchez everybody remembers...and keeps forgetting about the Cross burnings at the Liberty Park baseball field, the Klan marching in the Christmas parade, the black and white water fountains, or the little rolled up hate papers left on the driveway... And since I've been home, wow...we are so far behind the rest of the nation ...or at least the places I've lived...with our view of race relations it is staggering.... On both sides of the coin.
But I've also experienced the reaction I have received from people when I treat them the way I've grown up to be, living in cities where all the races interact in social situations with no more animosity toward one another than our usual human frailties. Most people want to be friendly, most people want to be respected, most people just want to be treated like regular people.
And I think the Democrat's web sight gives everyone the opportunity in anonyminity to say what's on their mind without fear of reprecussions....other than when someone takes it too far and gets pulled.
These forums give an opportunity for conversation, for a dialogue between people...regular people. Sometimes, I get my reflection handed back to me in the mirror of someone's reply to my ranting. I read myself and think, what was I talking about? I am inspired by some, angered by others, but we have a forum here to exprerss our inspiration and anger...sometimes to the benefit of those, like myself, who pursue an attack of reaction before my mind has time to reason, only to be shone the light in someone's redress.
I think this is a good step in the right direction for coming together of our community...get it out there, get it said, read other people's comments and ideas and expressions...we can learn from each other what it takes to become a community of the whole.
If we really try. If we really listen. If we really give honest consideration to the thoughts and feelings of others...we may just come to a place where we can grow away from all the "old south" traditions and into the 21st century with the rest of the country.
Starting a dialogue is the first step.
--mojo
Posted by reader (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 12:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kevin-Thanks for responding, but when someone post something on here about someone else that is false, what is the 2nd person's recourse? Plus it creates some doubt (true or not) among the other readers about that person's character. If everyone had to sign their names (including me) I would feel better about it because right now it is just a forum for some people to take cheap shots at others.
mojo-You say it's a dialogue between "regular" people, but you have no idea who you are talking to and how "regular" (whatever that means) they may be.
Posted by kcooper (Kevin Cooper) on September 21, 2009 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@mojo: Your last two paragraphs are what we must do to make the conversations more than just back and forth banter. Thanks.
@reader: No problem on the response. I usually try to check the comments on my personal columns to see if anyone directly asks me something, but I don't always remember to check. ... if you ever seek to ask me something directly, feel free to shoot me an e-mail (the address is kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com.
In answer to your question, if you see a comment that you feel is offensive, false or otherwise violates our terms of use policy, please hit the "suggest removal" link that appears next to each comment.
If you feel you need to share more information about why something that should be removed (in case it's not evident from the content of the comment) please suggest it for removal and then drop us a note to webmaster@natchezdemocrat.com
Thanks.
Kevin.
Posted by mrmojorisin (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Regular people, like you and me... Don't you think we all want to be treated with respect and dignity? And what will happen is when you treat me that way, I will treat you that way. That's the rule, huh?
With me, I turn it around and view it this way...I will treat you the way I want to be treated regardless of how you treat me. Sometimes it seems we get too caught up in the "one-upmanship" and cleverness of our dialogue.
That's my biggest mistake... I'm a cynical smart*** from way back. I am trying hard to curb myself. And I'm trying to have the strength of commitment to admit when I'm wrong and apologize. My intent is never to hurt anyone, but to pull the sheet off their head and make them think. And it happens to me sometimes, too. In fact, crakalakin called me out today, and he was exactly right. I don't totally agree with his point of view, but as my president says, "We don't have to be disagreeable to disagree."
--mojo
Posted by Hey_Yall (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 2:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I love the comments. My fave thing about them is the ability for a reader to see ALL the comments posted by an individual. It makes me laugh when someone posts hundreds ofcomments, most of which are negative. I chuckle and think "Sucks to be him/her."
Love this town and love the Democrat's decision to let readers be heard.
Posted by beammeupscotty (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Talk about thin skin. After about three words you should be able to tell where the comment is going. If you don't like it,try this don't read it.
Posted by sobeit (anonymous) on September 21, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RANDY FREEMAN FOR SHERIFF
Posted by jammin1 (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 12:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
@ reader (anonymous), is that your real name? :)
Posted by crackbaby (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 1:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I post under the name "crackbaby", have a top secret clearance and speak fluently in 6 foreign languages! Now if that's not "regular people" who is??? LOL
Posted by grungebob (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 8:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Mojo, maintaining so passionate a neutrality in the face of such violent emotions demands the suppression of equally volatile feelings on your part. Your inner conflict must be intense indeed.
I always thought Mr Spock would have been more believable had he suffered from bleeding ulcers.
Seriously, I admire your dedication.
Posted by reader (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. (Suggest removal)
jammin1-That's why I said, "including me." I don't have a problem with people being anonymous unless they are making personal attacks. If someone wants to attack me personally on here (btw, it's never happened before so don't think that's my motivation) then I think they should be required to sign their name and not hide behind a screen name. I know we all have to register, so Kevin knows who we all are.
Posted by DUCKHUNTER (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 11:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i have a serious problem with comments that are blunt and straight to the point being removed from the comments section.
this is a "COMMENTS" section and these are people's opinions, good or bad, censoring what others think and feel is NOT good for the community!
it's not right and it's not fair, ESPECIALLY, to DISABLE COMMENTS on articles that are very sensitive to the surrounding community and NOT let people post at all, THE NEWS (NOW-A-DAYS) IS NOT CENSORED, WHY SHOULD THE PEOPLE BE?
Posted by reader (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 1:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Democrat obviously cannot allow anyone to say anything they would like. People can make some pretty disparaging remarks, and sometimes they have to be removed.
Posted by gottabehappy (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 1:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yeah but what about the other day when our lovely Democrat had a virus! Guess how it got the virus? Comment people with a virus on their computers! Some may know and do it out of meanness but others don't know their computers are infected. There are larger than Natchez Democrat papers out there that would never even think of allowing a comment section and this is why.
OBTW....those of us that got on to look at comments that day also got the virus on our personal computers.
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The Natchez Democrat disables comments and removes comments on their own agenda, and not always by the guidelines. As I have said before and I will say again... unless the comments are slanderous or libelous they should not be removed. If the comments are ignorant, raciest, or down right wrong they should stay. That is free speech. The "use inappropriate language or make potentially slanderous or libelous comments or engage in ad hominem attacks on fellow commenters, people mentioned in stories or any employee of The Natchez Democrat, we reserve the right to remove any and/or all of your contributions."
In my opinion many times I have seen ignorant responses to comments that were attacks on fellow commenters that were not removed, so my conclusion is that "free speech" only goes as far as the ND WANTS. It is what it is:)
Posted by reader (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 4:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's their paper, they can ban, disable, censor or whatever they want to with regard to the comments.
Posted by 2008 (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 5:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yes reader they can, it's called censorship, not free speech
Posted by Greenfields (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 8:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"It's their paper, they can ban, disable, censor or whatever they want to with regard to the comments."
+1 It amazes me how few people get this. The right free speech is when you go stand on the courthouse steps and yell "the end is near". There aren't any rights to free speech on a privately owned website.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on September 22, 2009 at 8:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is that why Norton lit my screen up the other night?
Posted by Hey_Yall (anonymous) on September 24, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
DON'T FREAK OUT about the virus. You can NOT get a virus on your computer by reading NOR posting comments to the Democrat.
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