This blog exists to raise
the level of discourse available on the Internet regarding naval matters. Of late, the commentary associated with posts
has often failed to do that. Comments
have become factually challenged and argumentative. That is my fault for allowing it.
A typical example is if the
statement is made that southern US cities have warmer climates than northern cities,
someone will, inevitably, respond with a comment citing some southern city
that, on some given day, was colder than some city in the north – as if that
disproves the general statement. This
kind of comment is simply argumentative and does nothing to further the main
premise.
Trying to find one example,
somewhere in history, that appears to contradict a main premise is simply
argumentative. Now, if you want to take
that example and build a logical case for an alternative view, that’s fine –
unlikely but fine. Just as the main
premise is never built on a single example (single examples of anything mean
nothing) so too, an alternative view can not be built on a single example.
There’s a famous saying that
there are no dumb questions. As far as
this blog is concerned, there certainly are dumb questions and, more to the
point, dumb comments. In order to
contribute to raising the level of discourse, you, the commenter, have to do
your homework. I expect a basic level of
knowledge about naval matters which includes a familiarity with naval history
and an understanding of the basics of naval operations and tactics. You don’t have to be an expert but, I’ll be
honest here, this is not the blog for amateurs who have no grasp of naval
fundamentals. There are plenty of books
and websites where you can go to learn the basics.
That said, I have no problem
with someone asking a sincere question and trying to learn. I’m happy to respond to that. What I don’t want to do is embark on a long
term educational foray spanning many posts/weeks.
I never delete a comment because it disagrees with me. I do, however, delete comments, whether they
agree or disagree, when they’re based on stupidity.
What kind of comments am I
looking for? I’m looking for comments
that further the discussion. I’m looking
for comments that address the main premise rather than try to pick apart some
minor side detail. I’m looking for
comments that build on the main premise.
I’d love comments that have an opposing view and are supported with data
and logic. “You’re wrong”, is not a
productive comment.
Data and logic – those are
mandatory in any comment. Given the
short length of a blog post, I still try to cite data for my main points and I
expect comments to make use of data and logic.
“The LCS sucks”, is not a worthwhile comment. Offer some data to support the statement.
All of this should not
discourage readers from commenting.
Instead, it should encourage readers to put a bit of effort into their
comments and try to become part of a conversation rather than part of an
argument. I recognize that there is a
fine line between discussing a point of disagreement and arguing. The difference is that the former is done
with an open mind and a willingness to learn and further the discussion while
the latter is a simple attempt to “win” and serves no purpose.
Of course, there is always
the requirement for politeness and respect.
Argue the points, not the person.
I’m sometimes asked why I
don’t respond to a given comment. The
answer is that I respond to comments that meet the above criteria – comments
that further the discussion, raise new and valid points, and offer insights.
I expect my readership to be
a cut above the typical blog readership.
I’d rather have one good comment than ten pointless ones. With that goal in mind, I’ve started, and
will continue, to delete comments that fail to meet the criteria.
I encourage you to be part
of something challenging and worthwhile.
Recognize, though, that means you may have to put a bit of effort into
it.
I tried to post many times yesterday only to find that they were being rapidly deleted without explanation. I asked honest questions and they were met with belittlement rather than discussion. I asked for clarification and was met with condescension. I tried very much to be polite but this quickly becomes difficult when it feels like the moderator is trying to railroad the discussion down a very narrow path that serves his own bias. I would like to post here because you do raise interesting topics, but as it stands, it is impossible to know if a comment will be allowed to stand or simply get deleted without explanation. Now if a comment is blatantly profane or rude, then I would understand, but most of my comments were written in a neutral tone with no aggressive language. If you actually want discussion rather an a simple echo-chamber, then you need to allow dissenting comments to stand more often, and for longer periods of time.
ReplyDeleteUnder normal circumstances, I would delete this comment as it serves no purpose. However, I will leave this as an example of why your comments were deleted. You should be asking yourself, given the criteria I covered in this post, why your comments failed to meet standards. If they were polite, as you suggest, that pretty much only leaves stupid as the disqualifying reason. This comment is only solidifying that lack of self-awareness. You asked, so I've answered. Up your game or move to another blog better suited to you.
DeleteThis is the kind of unproductive comment I'm going to eliminate.
Don't bother replying, I'll just delete it.
Quite honestly - I gave up on this blog a while ago. I point it out to my students as an example of the low end of naval analysis.
ReplyDeleteAnd yet here you are!
DeleteAgain, under normal circumstances, I'd delete this but it illustrates my point in the blog. Thanks for helping illustrate an example of a worthless comment!
"I point it out to my students as an example of the low end of naval analysis."
DeleteHey, thanks for the referrals! I'm betting your students, whatever they're studying, are better judges of value than you. The site statistics indicate non-stop, linear growth so I must be doing something right and many new people are coming to the site. Thanks for doing your part!
Furthering communication for improvement means that the overall goal is a better navy
DeleteCNO i applause your goal of encouraging opposing views that help not hinder the discussion.
Your always going to get a few.
ReplyDeleteBut i consider this site one of the very very best of informed intelligent debate.
And you work very hard to keep it that way.
And its worth it because you have attracted so top notch commentors.
I usually find others posts on here as interesting relevant and insightful as the main article !
Usually :)
On regards to posting links to back-up opinions and data, there's a little confusion, at least for me. I remember you stating you rather not have us post links to other blogs (i.e. war is boring, etc.) Could you define your rules clearer for me?
ReplyDeleteSorry if I wasn't clearer. I said, or should have said, that I don't want long passages copied from another blog into this one just like I wouldn't want someone copying large chunks of my work into another blog. Links are fine. No problem with those.
DeleteI'd also prefer that commenters not post a comment that's nothing more than, warisboring said,"...". I don't care (in a sense) what warisboring says. I want to know what the commenter thinks.
Also, some people have occasionally posted links with little or no explanation leaving me and other readers to try to figure out what the point/purpose is. I'd prefer that links be accompanied with the commenter's point/opinion to make clear what the purpose of the link is but the links, themselves, are fine.
All that said, this is just my preferences. I don't have any hard rules about this. If someone wants to quote a sentence or two from another source, that's fine, within reason. I just don't want to get into the position of seeming to be "stealing" someone else's work.
I hope that cleared things up for you. If not, ask me something more specific and I'll try again.