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A comment on Tell HN: Uptick in mean-spirited comments. Parent comment

Re:Tell HN: Uptick in mean-spirited comments by spuz on Sunday October 31, 2010 @04:28AM (#1852840)
How about you add a little note just above the reply button. Something like:

  Does this comment add value/insight/healthy debate to this topic?
Very low tech I know, but sometimes people need a little reminder to think about the tone of their message and how it will be received by the community before they hit that reply button.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Tell HN: Uptick in mean-spirited comments by almost on Sunday October 31, 2010 @04:41AM (#1852857)
Having a reminder whenever you comment could cut down on thoughtless comments. Everyone makes a bad comment every now and then I think, a little nudge in the other direction could be all that's needed in some cases.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Tell HN: Uptick in mean-spirited comments by zdw on Sunday October 31, 2010 @10:40AM (#1853305)
Two improvements:

1. Make it a checkbox people have to check. Just to force people to take one minor action, and read it.

2. Rotate the text with a variety of different statements, just to mix it up:

"Are you being nice?" "Does this contribute to the conversation?" "Following the golden rule here?"

and most importantly:

"Will this get upvoted?"

:P

It's a low tech solution which focuses on fostering community values.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Tell HN: Uptick in mean-spirited comments by JeremyChase on Sunday October 31, 2010 @10:32AM (#1853288)
In general, text like that is never read on websites. It just adds clutter.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Tell HN: Uptick in mean-spirited comments by JofArnold on Sunday October 31, 2010 @05:43AM (#1852949)
Totally agreed. I made a similar comment above. I think it'll work.
[ Parent | on HN ]