A Friendly Guide to Commenting on PopSci Articles

Im sorry I thought this was AMERICA!

One problem I run across is often the spam filter accuses me of putting a URL in the message when it's not there and requires that I enter the CAPTCHA. I think your spam detection is a bit on the erroneous side.

um, this IS America. and in America, we do have freedom. so ur free to not visit this website if u dont like its rules!!

This IS America, and you have every right to go and post rude comments on another website if you wish. The purpose of the comment section is to spur meaningful conversation about the article, and as of late, comments really have been ridiculous. Though American freedom does allow you to be an @$$, it doesn't mean you have to be.

I think its hilarious they posted this. Kinda like a "Commenting for Dummies" guide b/c this stuff should be common sense. And btw, h-e-double-hockey sticks isn't a bad word last time I checked, it might not be a good word, but not in the same category as the f-bomb... I tried to use h-e-double-hockey sticks in a post once and the filter stopped me... just saying.

And somehow this post gets flagged as spam... right.

this is sooo cheezy

In some ways this article could be speaking to me. With that said, duely noted, lol. Thanks PopSci for continueing to allow me to comment. But, it is very true that this article to applies to many others as well.

Eighth!

@EPB6190: Just because this is America doesn't mean you always have the right to be obscene, profane, harassing etc. whenever you want. Especially not when there are rules against it in an organization that you voluntarily are a part of.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech_in_the_United_States

http://www.law.cornell.edu/anncon/html/amdt1efrag1_user.html#amdt1e_hd1

So does that mean I cannot make any comments about the kid with the glasses, and wonder where his WAND is?

Thank you Hubes

Yeah, I love these "this is america" comments too. Just because this is america doesnt mean you can break the rules of the site you comment on or the forum you are posting to. rules are rules, if you don't like it find a differnet website, OMG SO SIMPLE!!!

Psychology wise or socially wise, I think poor blogging, bashing writing, over commenting and just randomly going off topic (of which i am partly guilty) is similar to highway auto road rage. When a person thinks they are anonymous, sometimes the inner monster comes out. But most of the time, when this person is in clearly public seen, they could easily be your neighbor and a really nice person. Long ago, when I first start comment on PoPsci, I was all too often sarcastic and then lots of people ask me to stop. I did. But, lately, I have just been overly commentary or just completely off the target of the article. Yes, other people commented to me and bash me too. I am really surprise by the extreme comments that are often said to bashing by other to others. I believe PoPsci is very much for free speech. And writer s, bloggers need mature in our writing too, including me. Have a nice day!

thank you popsci.

This isn't America, this is a website. Beyond that it is Popular Sciences Website, and commenting is adding to their content which they are allowed to maintain in any way they see fit. Just like other business can for any reason refuse to serve a customer, they can refuse to store and display your comments or user information. No idea how the American thing and freedom of speech comes into play here. Unless it was meant as a joke then I'm an idiot.

As for the comment, I've always enjoyed the comments. On several articles people post additional details as they're involved in the industry specified in the article. Or they have knowledge of the articles topic and go into greater detail on some issues. Even back and fourths with alternative, and yes even joking around and having some fun. Good luck with the ongoing struggle to keep the comments monitored PopSci. Sorry for the trouble makers.

@EPB6190

“Im sorry I thought this was AMERICA!”

We are guests in PopSci’s house. If they don’t like you, or what you have to say, they have every right to kick you out.

The 1st Amendment does not give you the right to post whatever you want on someone else’s website (assuming you are a US citizen).

I’ve never had a problem with the spam filter. I don’t mind entering anti-bot password once and a while if it keeps the spammers out. Your doing a great job PopSci!

PS, this is the internet, not America.
PPS, “America” applies to two continents, not just the USA.

jeez.. im sorry I made a South Park reference. I guess you guys dont watch. My bad. Im not condoning bad language. I didnt even curse in my comment.

...actually, I'm pretty sure EPB6190 was making a South Park reference.

And thanks to PopSci for their articles and comments clarification. I normally don't read comments on any site for this very reason.

I enjoy this website and I read everyday. I also notice what the editor is saying. I think it is very rude and shows no intellectual the way some people speak here. Their is a place and a time for nonsense. This is a place of learning and ideas! If you can't add something to a great idea or article then don't say anything. Many great minds alike bring ideas together into a collective audience and positive things happen. If you get off subject you probably just wasted someones great thought and the positive motion of consciousness is yet again delayed. Positive things stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside bad influence.

I also would like to say that this is not an English class. Most engineers and scientists are horrible at spelling and grammatical errors. If the editor misses something feel free to use grammar check and spell check in your brain on the fly and keep it to yourself.

whats wrong with not liking homosexual petophalic creeps?

This article is basically the equivalent of the "Do not eat" on the superglue bottles. These are the basic laws of any forum. This is one of the most lenient forums that i have seen as of late.

Its sad honestly that we have so many stupid people posting here that moderators feel the need to write and article reinforcing standard forum etiquette.

@EPB6190,
LOL! The first thing I thought of when I read this comment was the South Park episode where Stan's Dad was getting into all those baseball Dad fights. On another note, I am glad to see Popsci putting out some sort of guidance to users. Most of us on here are pretty good about keeping it relative to the article and not being too offensive, but clearly there are some who are not so good at doing that. As for the spammers that's a whole different ball game. They do not really care of their account gets banned since they simply will just create another bogus account and do it over again. Its just one of those things that will continue to be difficult to stop. Even with the CAPTCHA feature added it does not stop the actual live spammers.

- Darth Lithicus

Can you at least notify people when and why they where banned.

Wow, it really must be a slow news day. eh eh? :) :) :) I'm the Al Capone of popsci comment boards. :) :)

they forgot #5
no dumb or close minded comments

this website requires a little more attention and thought than most other website out there, but some readers come here read one headline and write something they think is clever, but if they read the article or gave the article 2 seconds of thought, they will realize their clever quip really just makes them look dumb.

#6
Dont bring religion into the comments unless the article brings it up. IE: Evolution.
Evolution is NOT about religion. Dont bring it up. IMO that is WAY WAY WAY off topic.

Thanks PopSci! :-)

Thanks also for bringing back captcha.

If you're going to post "restraint" articles, at least offer a sample pack of some ADD meds for the commenters... or some beer for yourself. Because the attention span of the internet.... ooooo!!!! lookie, a flying rainbow cat!!

There is only one dimension and gravity does not exist.

I think the picture was very telling in this case. After all it is trying to tell a bunch of kids to behave (actually kids probably would behave better).

Such a funny path of thought. Talking about America and freedom, for a web site that is produced by a private company for the consumption of the world.

inaka_rob; I agree that evolution isn't about religion. Unfortunately, a lot of people that believe a religion (oddly, it seems like just the American right and Islam) think that teaching evolution is a threat to and attack on their religion. I think it falls under guideline #3, but it helps to be clear to those that don't understand.

Another is politics. More often than not, the mention of politicians or political parties is baiting, especially when they have a convenient blame to their love-to-hate party or person. I find more often than not, the reality is either nuanced or nothing like what they say it was, it's just easier to sling blame than deal with the facts. Best to leave politics out in my opinion, unless it's directly relevant to the article.

@tcolguin,

I think the picture was supposed to be a reminder that kids read these articles too and that people should be mindful of that in their posts.

My bad. I just read the caption for the picture. You were right.

I think the rules for commenting are exactly as they should be there is nothing to be gained from personal attacks. Going off topic can happen, sadly that phenomenon is indicitive of our nations school system. Commenting on an article need not be limited if it is about the article in question; and, its only common sense to be respectful of the writer and provide a counterpoint. Anything more than counterpoint and you are wasting your time and other readers time.

"...the Bonnier Group, is a 200-year-old media company based in Stockholm, with operations in more than 20 countries, including magazine divisions in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland and Spain."
So, it's not America after all. Typical error by American ignorants who think Europe is a US state.

Thx POPSci!!!

Bubbagump: "In some ways this article could be speaking to me. With that said, duely noted, lol."

yeah real lol. dully noted?????? if thats so then why did you have a 60 comment homosexual singles meetings discussion with somebody in one of these articles (the dominoes pizza on the moon)