So, dear web souls, long time no see… Yes, our “presence” in this space has been somewhat lacking of late. All I can say is, we’ve been plenty busy producing a radio show. (Funny, we managed to create this new website, but we couldn’t figure out how to create more hours in the day — isn’t that always the excuse?)
And perhaps you’ve noticed, there’s been a bit of news to cover. Indeed, it’s been a headspinning week or two, a panic — I think it’s fair to say — for the history books. And it’s still unfolding, building to who knows what sort of crescendo (or crash?) between now and election day. When was the last time this country faced an economic crisis of such magnitude in the final stretch of a presidential election campaign? We’ll be on top of it, and we’ll do our best to produce shows that will make you think, and inspire you to get involved in the national conversation.
Meanwhile, I’m delighted to say, a good many of you are doing just that, here on this site, in the comments on our show pages. These comment sections were — are — something of an experiment: we launched an open discussion forum in the heat of an historic election season, with a country as deeply and passionately divided as it’s ever been. (What were we thinking???)
And yet, the result has been encouraging. Some rough spots, to be sure. Some overheated exchanges (but not as many as one might expect). Some moderation has been necessary here and there — and we’re working on a more detailed set of guidelines to clarify our moderation policy. But for the most part, the quality of the comments has been just what we hoped.
But we’re curious what you think. Do you read the comments? Are you posting? Are there specific guidelines you’d like to see us adopt and enforce? And keeping in mind that we are limited to this software platform (for the foreseeable future), what would you like to see us do to improve the comments feature of the site? And why stop there — how would you like to see us use the site to enhance, and extend, what we do on the air? (While you’re at it, any thoughts on how we can find more hours in the day would be much appreciated too…)
Wen Stephenson
Senior Producer
I think you’re doing great Wes, keep up the good work.
I do read the comments although when they’re a back and forth between two people who are regulars, I tend to skip over them or skim them.
A partial wish list off the top of my head at 12:30 am when I should be sleeping.
I’d like to be able to track comments, all or a specific thread via RSS.
I’d like you to advise people that they ought not use comment threads as personal blogs. I’ve noticed that a few people feel that they have to answer every question when things get heated. Maybe limit comments by a single author in a particular thread or, have a timer running so that a single author can’t comment more than X times in an hour, a day, a thread.
Comment threads sometimes need moderation to stay on track but if you and your staff don’t have time, please make it explicit that discussion ought to stay on the topic of the show.
Many people are commenting before listening to the show, or, are commenting without ever listening to the show. While I’ve made general comments before shows start, it would seem to me that listening to a show ought to be encouraged so as not to create two different worlds, the folks who are responding to the show, the folks who are discussing a general idea but aren’t basing discussion on the content of the show.
I think the site redesign is great and the comments add a lot to it.
I’d love to see more integration of comments here with the shows and so, you might announced a day ahead of time that you’re taking questions in the form of comments on a particular topic and then choose from those questions to use on the air. No doubt there are plenty of articulate writers here who aren’t calling up but who could post comments/questions as or more considered than telephone callers. I’ve been listening for years but have no desire to call in.
That would be a great way to integrate what goes on here into the show.
Again, keep up the great work and do let us know if you plan to use comments to feed shows, that’s something I’d surely want to take part in.
Posted by Richard, on September 24th, 2008 at 12:39 am EDTThanks, Richard. Much appreciated. I think we’re on pretty much the same page. Stay tuned for our new moderation guidelines. I’m curious to see what others are thinking.
Posted by Wen Stephenson, on September 24th, 2008 at 9:14 am EDTI am a big fan of the show, and the webpage is a nice extension of the show. Too often on a hot topic, there are more callers than there is time for the show….that time thing again! If there were opportunities on some of these occasions for the guests on the show to respond at a later time or date to some questions posted on the web by those who could not or would not call in, it might allow the discussion to go deeper than is possible in an hour, and cover more ground.
Posted by Judy, on September 25th, 2008 at 9:21 am EDTModeration is a great idea, but recognize it is not and cannot be perfect. It is a thankless job, but does help tamp down some of those who enjoy the anonimity of the web, and the chance to show their “expertise”.
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Posted by Abrarbexy, on January 30th, 2009 at 3:18 am ESTTurning over a new leaf
Tom Ashbrook is annoying. Why? Well he has such wonderful guests on his program and when they are talking, and I am trying to listen, Tom Ashbrook is grunting and, humming, and moaning, and driving me crazy.
Why do this? Because you are nervous? Well if you are nervous, get someone else to present the show. The women presenters do not grunt and interrupt the speakers with annoying noises which are doubly amplified over the air. Let the guest talk. If you feel that the guest is running over, interrupt with words, not grunts or “u-huh”’s
In general I get the impression the Tom Ashbrook wants to talk during the entire time he is on-air. This is boring and rude.
Posted by Daniel Smith, on March 31st, 2009 at 7:50 pm EDT