"But the commentariat is a community, and commenters who consistently step on others' jokes might find that they end up getting less positive feedback on their own."
I hope that is not how feedback is given, or withheld for that matter. It should be based on the merit of the individual comment, no?
Hey Cheese, thanks for the comment. I think we are on the same page here. I would never praise an undeserving comment simply because I was a fan of the author. I've actually joked with MKM about how every +1 I give him will now be viewed with suspicion. But, if you've come to form the opinion that someone is a hack or someone who steps on other people's jokes, would that make it harder to enjoy their jokes? I wish I could say the answer was no, but I think it can. If it's a homerun, it wouldn't make any difference but a wobbler that could go either way? I guess I'd put it like this: if a joke is an A, it doesnt matter who is telling it. But if Louis CK and Dane Cook told the same C+ joke, I think I'd be more likely to laugh at Louis CK's telling. It's subconscious, but I highly suspect it is true.
To be 100% clear, I'm not suggesting people should +1 their friends or not +1 folks they don't know/like. That would be idiotic. Just suggesting that your opinion of any entertainer can impact your subjective experience of their product.
Forgot to explain. I've been guilty of this myself. Some of the people on Deadspin are just too smart for their own good. But, in general, if something doesn't make sense to you, it's best to assume that people are making jokes and not being serious (even if they say "100% serious" in their comment!!!), and that you should either google it or say nothing at all. Maybe Steve_U's joke there isn't the best he's ever thrown out, but it's a pretty smart reference, and it looks pretty shitty followed by a bunch of comments trying to better explain what happened in the video.
I said exactly this not too long ago in a DUAN thread, because I often see things I assume are jokes but that I do not understand (especially from Steve U because he is smart). I know enough to stay away, for the most part.
But then I got bludgeoned over the head with the "one rule" of Deadspin commenting, so I'm turning over a new leaf of not discussing how to make a good comment. [Right after this]
"touchy subject"
ReplyDelete-JERRY SANDUKSY'S FAVORITE CLASS TO TEACH!1!!1!1
See, I totally got what you meant here.
Here's a rare example of a reply done right.
ReplyDeletehttp://deadspin.com/5878436/tennis-players-bill-simmons-would-do-another-classic-from-the-secret-sports-guy-vault?comment=46267384#comments
Thank you. For making me feel like I have a life by comparison.
ReplyDelete"But the commentariat is a community, and commenters who consistently step on others' jokes might find that they end up getting less positive feedback on their own."
ReplyDeleteI hope that is not how feedback is given, or withheld for that matter. It should be based on the merit of the individual comment, no?
Hey Cheese, thanks for the comment. I think we are on the same page here. I would never praise an undeserving comment simply because I was a fan of the author. I've actually joked with MKM about how every +1 I give him will now be viewed with suspicion. But, if you've come to form the opinion that someone is a hack or someone who steps on other people's jokes, would that make it harder to enjoy their jokes? I wish I could say the answer was no, but I think it can. If it's a homerun, it wouldn't make any difference but a wobbler that could go either way? I guess I'd put it like this: if a joke is an A, it doesnt matter who is telling it. But if Louis CK and Dane Cook told the same C+ joke, I think I'd be more likely to laugh at Louis CK's telling. It's subconscious, but I highly suspect it is true.
DeleteTo be 100% clear, I'm not suggesting people should +1 their friends or not +1 folks they don't know/like. That would be idiotic. Just suggesting that your opinion of any entertainer can impact your subjective experience of their product.
Here I come to save the day!
DeleteHoly shit is this long. Do I need to read this?
ReplyDelete-MKM
Val Kilmer-themed movie comments that somehow also relate to bee-keeping
ReplyDeleteReal Genus (Apus)
What if you just totally don't get the joke? Should you respond the way all these dudes did to Steve_U's comment?
ReplyDeletehttp://deadspin.com/5878846/blues-forward-chris-stewart-provided-a-great-example-of-what-constitutes-instigating-last-night?comment=46311902#comments
Forgot to explain. I've been guilty of this myself. Some of the people on Deadspin are just too smart for their own good. But, in general, if something doesn't make sense to you, it's best to assume that people are making jokes and not being serious (even if they say "100% serious" in their comment!!!), and that you should either google it or say nothing at all. Maybe Steve_U's joke there isn't the best he's ever thrown out, but it's a pretty smart reference, and it looks pretty shitty followed by a bunch of comments trying to better explain what happened in the video.
DeleteI said exactly this not too long ago in a DUAN thread, because I often see things I assume are jokes but that I do not understand (especially from Steve U because he is smart). I know enough to stay away, for the most part.
DeleteBut then I got bludgeoned over the head with the "one rule" of Deadspin commenting, so I'm turning over a new leaf of not discussing how to make a good comment. [Right after this]