Archive for October 21st, 2008
You are browsing the archives of 2008 October 21.
Simon Pynt Photography.
Photographer based in Perth, Western Australia.
Click here to explore more of his work. A link has also been added to the blogroll.
Commenting on blogs. Dezeen’s recent debate.
Dezeen, arguably one of the top tier blogs of the design world, posted last week on a potential need to censor negative comments. It happens in small spatters here at D.A.U.G.O.S. (no comments as yet on the new hosting, been too neutral maybe). Over there though, some of the comments border on slander.
[The Bird, via the Google search query "middle finger". That's negative!]
“Dezeen Debate: Should we block negative comments?” was a title that caught the eye. It’s evident the Editors are feeling the pinch and want to know if they should use their weight a little more. A better title may have sat a little better with the debaters, and further refined the forum that took place in the comment section/forum that followed. Though browsing their examples, you can understand their concern.
Blocking negative comments is a trait of a news corporation looking to maximise returns. A “no bad press wanted” attitude. Dezeen at present doesn’t have the characteristics of a news corp, and let’s hope it never does. At the moment, it is all power to the people.
What defines a “negative comment”? A negative comment in one sense may be based on instinctual revolt or a fragment of irrational or rushed thought. Some negative comments are actually quite constructive, and as many debaters put forth, something Designers need to develop a thick skin for. Comments that are overtly vitriolic from an anonymous stand point come off below the belt. A cheap shot. Though it doesn’t differ much from many opinionated critics in the industry. The forum has just got a little bigger and a little louder now. I think the commendable element is that the critics in the industry publish their name and their reputation next to their comment. The anonymous hide behind an avatar. No problem there, as long as the avatar is consistent. A cyber-critics identity can just as easily be damaged as a physical critic’s identity.
[Neo, an avatar incarnate? Image from "The Matrix Reloaded". What if the avatar had an avatar? Does that count?]
Where would Dezeen draw the line? Take this Zaha post for example. There are those that love it, but without those that hate her work (and those that are indifferent) the comments and subsequently the post would lack flavour. Design should be opinionated, though criticism and comments should be kept constructive.
I say keep the comments open, warts and all. It is a highlight on such a popular site. Whatever Dezeen settles on, the rest of the design blogging world will be watching.
Excerpts from the comment section follows;
Britta Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
If people used their real names they would probably behave more mature than they do now.
tim Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
the negative comments are half the reason this blog is awesome. Its hilarious to read and things on here shouldn’t be taken too seriously. Don’t put any more thought into these comments then the amount that was put into them when they were made. That is, not much. Also, this is one of the few design blogs Ive seen where people aren’t afraid to call bullshit, and I like that.
kingmu Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
I definitely feel there are far too many overly nasty comments in this forum. I feel it’s quite possible to state opposing views without sounding disgruntled and downright crude. The world has become a very nasty place and I think we could all learn to be a bit more civilized.
Just Do It Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
Negative critics are intersting when they come with arguments, and positive ones too.
Saying of a designer that he is out of ideas, or of a design that it is bullshit doesn’t bring anything to the debate.
If you feel like saying something is bullshit, please do, but then tell us why do you think so. Give us some reference of things that are good according to you. This way the debate could become constructive.
Maybe a profile would make people a bit more responsible…
Henry Julier Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 8:37 pm
The comments on Dezeen can oftentimes be negative, and there always seems to be a flurry of them immediately after a post, maybe making a comment about an architect or designer’s style that comes across as a knee jerk judgement, rather than a well thought out criticism. I’ve certainly seen some projects on Dezeen that i don’t agree with for one reason or another, but don’t believe that warrants a post of disapproval. it can be hard to fully grasp some of these projects posted from a few rendered shots and information from the architect!
We can’t expect everyone to be civil, especially with the anonymity of the internet on their side. But I think designers who have work posted here, as well as everyone else, should be intelligent enough to disregard purely negative comments which aren’t constructive. My vote is to leave the system as it is, or, at most, establish a registration system.
henry
OneMillion Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I have seen an increasingly number of negative comments and they have gotten less and less valid. Some have good discourse as to why they dislike a post/project but more often than not comments read like “hate it” or “sucks.” It personally makes me want to not go to the site anymore (I have stopped looking at mocoloco for they same reason). I want my blogs and bloggers to be as sophisticated as the work they post.
On a larger topic, design and designers need to be more positive. There is way too much negativity in the industry, perhaps because it’s so competitive. It’s so easy and so useless to say you hate something. Let’s create a positive atmosphere so that dezeen and others can continue to grow and create a better industry and atmosphere.
Great Job!
Dennis Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I’m all in favour for a rating system like YouTube’s or Slashdot’s.
Mario Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
I agree with some of the other readers. Some posts just call for stupid comments!!!! So try to be more selective with the stuff you publish, and whenever pblishing somethign , try to collect as much info as possible. 3 pics of a fasade dont make a post!!!!
i love this website !!!!!!!!!!
labforfun Says:
October 15th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Stop Swear Words, the rest is opinion.