A Simple Suggestion for the Comments Section

How a timer might slow down the sewage

The comments section has fundamentally changed the nature of writing and reading. In the past, a writer spent days, weeks, or even months researching, creating, and revising an article for print. If a reader felt compelled to respond, they could write a letter to the editor of the publication. This would mean sitting down, writing a letter, addressing the envelope, and dropping it in the mailbox. Then, the letters would be reviewed for merit (and coherence) and some would be selected for publication. By today’s standards, it was a long process. It required real investment from a reader and it definitely created barriers for people with less time, money, and access. And I’ve no doubt that editors favored some responses over others.

Today, writers still routinely spend weeks or months working on a piece. The big difference is that readers can now participate in the online comments section. This means anyone with internet access can immediately post their opinion or critique. And since the comments section doesn’t have the space limitations of a print newspaper or magazine, more people can contribute.

But this ease of access comes at a price. The moment a readers arrives at the online article, they can scroll to the bottom and write back — without ever…