Another example of why Best Comments is a joke

Default view: best comment / collapsed = zero comments.

Normal view: All comments / expand = 5 readers providing suggestions for other new media targets of usefulness and interest.

What, ostensibly, this story is all about.

The new reader, arriving here without some knowledge of the place, sees the default - barren - view.

And probably thinks - 'Why bother?'

WHAT GIVES?

There is nothing vibrant and 'growing' about that.

Go back to the old method, scrap the 'subjective' evaluations and - for lack of better terminology - low-key censorship.

Doesn't make a darn bit of difference to regular posters who just select "all comments" / "expand" and proceed as usual.

For new users, this format gives them a mistaken impression of what Tyee is all about.

My view.

Next big question: Will this comment make the grade?

EDITOR'S RESPONSE -- No, it won't be a 'best comment' because it isn't on topic. But thanks for sharing your view here, where it can be read and responded to anyone who cares to read it.

Not true David

Unless someone has selected All Comments/Expand All they won't see it.

Only those who have moved away from the default - new users in all likelihood, will see it or comment on it.

That's the point, after all. I'm surprised you haven't figured that out. The new format amounts to a subtle kind of censorship and my contacts have confirmed to me privately that they feel the same way about this.

That's why the whole format change around Best Comments / Compacted version is unwise and not well thought out. Every single thread would show the same analysis. The compact version is worse than useless and the Best Comments category is largely meaningless and arbitrary.

Such subjective evaluations are inappropriate in a forum that means to represent cutting edge new media and provide for reader response.

In my opinion that’s a problem. Keep the offensive comment button and get rid of the rest of these ideas. Sorry, I see the same thing happening on every thread…this new format is far less friendly, welcoming and inclusive than the old one – despite the animated cartoon.

By the way, the subject is New Media, Vibrant and Thriving. Remember?

My comment is entirely on topic - even if it happens to be a negative review.

Bwaaahahahahahaaaaaa!!!!

Nice one, GWest.

I set my comment field to 'expand all' long ago and never went back, but I'm glad someone else is checking. How will we attract new readers if there's nothing for them to read - by default?

Mmmmphhh...........GUFFAWWWWW!!!

You know, this reminds me of the time I made a really bad mistake, wayyyy back when I was 17, an innocent numbnutz from the 'burbs, living the West End without a clue as to who else lived there, but downstairs from me was this really neat black ballet dancer, John - at least that's what he told me he was - and he had two friends, Dave the short midget with the cowboy outfit, and Maxianna (I kid you not!) the tall, statuesque woman with the perfect long black hair, enormous bust, sharp face...square earlobes....square fingers...

But I'm getting ahead of myself. We would party together from time to time, and one time it was a doozy, with Dave's German Shepherd drinking as heavily as we were, when Maxianna suggested we go upstairs to my apartment for some peace and quiet, to which I thought....YESSS!!!.... and all was going drunkenly well as some of our clothes fell off, until Dave walked in with his German Shepherd and holding a jar of mayonnaise, and then John followed, naked and tethered to, what to my drunken mind could only have been a large goat.....

....uh, I guess this still qualifies as a "family newspaper"? Better not finish this story....