On moderating and deleting FriendFeed threads

I will never do it. Period.

I do not consider FriendFeed items to be “mine”, and maybe that’s a fundamental difference I have with others. Once I bring it into FriendFeed, it’s fair game for anyone to comment on, like, compliment or trash. I like criticism. I invite opposing views.

That is discussion.

To moderate comments or delete threads altogether is to spit in the face of those who bothered to contribute. I value those contributions and, once you make them, I feel you should always have access to them in the future. Moderating your comments or deleting threads is basically me telling you this – “You aren’t smart enough to filter things for yourself.” I don’t feel that way.

If things get out of hand with comments, there are features available to FriendFeed users. Block certain people. Hide items you don’t like. You are very capable of filtering this information how you see fit. I certainly don’t feel like I’m in a position to do that for you. If the thread starter wants to hide what they said, you know what they can do? Delete their own comments. Not everyone else’s.

I refuse to moderate or delete. What’s your take?

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  • Agreed. If you don't want to share it, don't. I *will* moderate for extreme language, but that's something that FriendFeed should be watching out for as well.
    Just a thought.
  • I can't see any reason for removing somebody elses comment unless it was extremely offensive. And even then I would more likely hide it.
  • We've been talking about this tonight. I *routinely* delete duplicate stuff in my stream. I've also thought twice about something I've posted and thrown it away.

    But not after comments are made. I think comments are part of the public commons, and aren't mine to delete. I can think of a few extreme exceptions -- obvious libel or something illegal, maybe. But zapping a thread is pretty rude.
  • Kudos to Chris, by the way - he pointed out Dave Winer's deleted thread and that's what inspired this post.
  • If a rude person continuously and purposely come into my posts to be rude, I block them. Problem solved. But that's me. If I don't agree with another person's methods, I simply unsubscribe and stop participating in their threads. Though I rarely notice if someone has moderated or deleted my comment. To each their own. :)
  • I usually go back into my own "comments and likes" to check back and see if anyone replied to my own comments or made any other interesting points. I like sharing the links to FF posts that have good discussion, too - so clicking back on those links, it's VERY obvious when they've been deleted, as Chris showed us. :)
  • Oh, now that you mention it, I do that too (going back to check on comments
    and likes) - not as much as I should. I participate in posts that are bumped
    up to my home feed a lot. Which TOTALLY reminds me, I have to check on my
    own comments and likes more, since posts with 25+ comments stop getting
    bumped and I tend to forget to check... Though I participate in so many
    discussions, I am horrible at keeping up.

    The thing is, of the thousands of people I've interacted with online, I've
    only encountered two trolls and one or two really rude people. The latter I
    just pretend they're non existent and the trolls I've blocked. Again - to
    each their own. Nice post, Shawn :)

    m.
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