Best threads get least comments

July 31, 2001 10:31 AM

There are times when I see threads like the one on Clippings or the physics simulation lab and I could express that these threads have a value that cannot be measured by the number of comments. It is too bad that threads that inspire outrage and contention gather more comments, and as such, appear to have more value to the community.
posted by Avogadro to MetaFilter-related at 10:31 AM (16 comments total)

Lest anyone think that I am of the opinion that posts that bring about strong debate are of less value than posts that turn up something new and unexpected, know that I am only saying that presently, it seems that "more comments = a better post". For members that throw into MeFi a good link that apparently sinks like a lead balloon, perhaps there should be a way (other than making a substanceless "This is great" comment) to express gratitude/kudos.
posted by Avogadro at 10:43 AM on July 31, 2001

Perhaps like the "This is good" positive comment kinds of things used at filepile, peterme and davezilla?
posted by timothompson at 10:51 AM on July 31, 2001

Hmm, just to throw an idea out - perhaps the slick voting interface used for the 5k could be used to get quick like/dislike (or interesting/uninteresting or whatever) votes, and some means to bubble up/highlight posts with high rating/comment ratios (sidebar perhaps?)
posted by icathing at 10:58 AM on July 31, 2001

Hmm, just to throw an idea out - perhaps the slick voting interface used for the 5k could be used to get quick like/dislike (or interesting/uninteresting or whatever) votes, and some means to bubble up/highlight posts with high rating/comment ratios (sidebar perhaps?)

That suggestion has been tossed out before, and it's usually met with the reasonable objection that people who get het up about a topic (SUVs or abortion, say) will abuse it. I'd like more advanced filtering tools, but I suspect that will have to wait until if and when Matt makes MeFiPro.

But like Avo, I'm happy to see a higher proportion of posts where I say, "Wow, cool!" to myself and don't have a response. Things which are cool, useful, or beautiful often don't generate a tenth of the responses of posts on controversial topics or the latest Ananova news, but I know which ones I tend to like more.
posted by snarkout at 11:06 AM on July 31, 2001

Things which are cool, useful, or beautiful often don't generate a tenth of the responses of posts on controversial topics or the latest Ananova news.

Which leads me to my original assertion that there should be some way to extend compliments. I would hate for newbies (or oldies, for that matter) to think that in order to gain "MeFi cred" (whatever that is), one must post a link that is deliberately provocative.
posted by Avogadro at 11:32 AM on July 31, 2001

is there something wrong with so-called substanceless "this is great" posts? i think i would appreciate such a comment on a thread i'd posted. there's nothing wrong with telling the poster "yah, we think it's cool too." if you post nothing out of fear that some will consider it empty, consider that the poster now doesn't know if she posted a lemon or if she posted anything nice, and maybe will reconsider posting a similar thread in the future.
posted by moz at 11:33 AM on July 31, 2001

is there something wrong with so-called substanceless "this is great" posts?

I don't know. Perhaps I am mistaking the backlash against "Me Too" comments in more conversational threads with "This is great" comments in threads highlight something interesting/unusual/excellent.
posted by Avogadro at 11:37 AM on July 31, 2001

If I posted something that was thought to be great, and someone emailed me about it, I'd be more inclined to continue doing so.
posted by hijinx at 1:12 PM on July 31, 2001

I agree that there are many great posts that get a handful comments, and it would be nice if a few people just posted "Thanks for the link"
posted by riffola at 1:27 PM on July 31, 2001

It would be nice. I have to admit that the lack of response has stopped me from posting links lately.
posted by john at 3:17 PM on July 31, 2001

I agree with hijinx: if someone posts something really cool but that doesn't make you want to post, send him/her an email.

Also, I think this has been suggested and rejected before, but you could categorize front-page posts. That way, each post could have an icon by it indicating "cool link," "discussion item," or "flame bait," for the posts about abortion, SUVs, homosexuality, gun control, abusive parents, and so on.

Of course the biggest part of the problem is that the cool link posts get drowned out by all the uninteresting news and flame bait posts. But there doesn't appear to be any solution for that.
posted by anapestic at 3:53 PM on July 31, 2001

if someone posts something really cool but that doesn't make you want to post, send him/her an email.

Ah, but not all users have their email addresses posted.

Although in my experience, the people that tend to post cool things always have their emails up. There may be some sort of correlation there. I'm just saying.
posted by lia at 10:51 PM on July 31, 2001

Speaking of which, I think Mefi should REQUIRE email addresses. Period end of story. And put a link to something like Spammotel or some of the others mentioned in this thread for people to use if they wish... That way, they can still be anonymous if they want to... If mail bounces (reported to Matt via a complaint most likely), the membership gets suspended...

Grrr, I'm on fire right now...
posted by fooljay at 11:07 PM on July 31, 2001

I vote to relax the prejudice against 'empty' posts to exclude "Thanks for the link" kudos. I would also encourage a statement in the Posting Guidelines explaining that a link's benefit to the MeFi community is not necessarily measurable by its comment tally.

Since Matt is probably about ready to inflict his new anti-anonymity requirement, I'll be saying buh-bye. Haven't been here long, haven't contributed a front-pager, any loss is only my own. Great place you've built here, Matt. As for the rest of you, keep me entertained!
posted by Opus Dark at 12:59 AM on August 1, 2001

Personally I don't mind seeing short 'Nice link' posts on threads like the Physics one yesterday. They're a world away from 'me too' posts in long conversational threads, they allow the link poster to know that what they posted was considered by many to be worth posting, and are likely to mean that that person (and others) will post similar links should they find them. 'Me too' posts just add to noise in threads which all too frequently have far too many empty vessels contributing anyway.

My email address is where Matt can see it, it's my work mail address, so I won't be putting it up on MeFi for the world to see ever. I don't have a home PC and won't be getting one in the near future (PCs and phone calls cost more than I am willing or really able to pay for something I have free access to at work) - I do all my surfing from work and trust Matt not to allow my work mail address to leak out. I thought a mail address was mandatory for joining, you just have the option to display it or not. If you would all feel better I put up a hotmail address I seldom check then I will. But then no-one will be able to contact me quickly, not even Matt should I transgress.

posted by Markb at 2:32 AM on August 1, 2001

Opus & MarkB, read my post again. Spammotel and a few other anonymizers work great for making you unknown and yet getting you the mail to your real address without having to go check Hotmail or some such service.
posted by fooljay at 12:54 PM on August 1, 2001