It was the best of discussions; it was the worst of discussions…

Up to now, I have never had a formal comment policy. I guess I never wanted to make anyone think twice before adding their ideas to this forum. It is not as if I'm being overrun by comments or spending any time moderating them. I'm currently averaging a paltry 1.3 comments per post – and there are nearly 1000 posts without a single comment.

I realize that part of the lack of reader response is because I don't have that many readers. The other part is that much of my content is not geared toward generating comments. I usually post on amusing experiences or things I find entertaining. My best work is regarding issues that I feel passionate about, and those receive the most comments.

I love to receive comments (well, most of them) and prefer blogs that allow them. I completely understand why most blogs with astronomic readership are unable to keep up with them and eventually disable them. Yet the point of my little electronic realm is to express myself and test my political, social and religious views against the outside world. Comments are a key part of that process.

I appreciate feedback from readers who are of the same mind as myself, but the comments I covet the most are from those who have a different view and take the time to articulate why they feel the way they do. I have little use for an echo chamber; such things do little to improve myself or my readers.

That said, I must confess that yesterday I seriously contemplated removing all the comments from a few posts where the debate had degraded into personal attacks and statements impossible to back up. If the purpose in making your point is to beat someone else down, then it is not going to be a very good point.

This explains perfectly why the recent discussions have devolved into a series of sour notes:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.

I'm tired of the clanging. We don't have to kiss all over each other to show love; but we do need to understand that each participant is a person, and treat them with respect. Just because someone has a different opinion does not make them dumb. I find that I learn more and debate more effectively when I try to understand exactly what my opponent believes and how they arrived at those conclusions. Try it, it works.

Anyways, I have decided to adopt the following comment policy to help guide those who want to participate. These are not intended to deter anyone from posting; in fact, I think they should help encourage partipation.

KoF Comment Policy

1. Address the topic at hand, not of the intelligence, appearance or genealogy of those you disagree with.
2. Present opinion as opinion. If you are stating a fact, it needs to be backed up with some evidence. Something obvious to you may not be that way for others.
3. Sweeping generalizations usually demonstrate ignorance and are easily proven incorrect. Avoid them unless you like serving up softballs to the other side.
4. It is ok if someone doesn't agree with you or see the evidence you provide as compelling. Make your argument as a proof to yourself why your position is correct, instead of an attempt to convert your opponent.
5. If you feel like you are just banging heads with other participants and the discussion is making no progress, it is fine to quietly drop out of the discussion. This is not considered surrender, as long as you redirect your comment energies to a different entry here at KoF.

Comments which do not follow these simple guidelines (especially #1) will be removed or possibly edited into compliance. (There is no guarantee that your fine arguments will survive intact.)