GigaOM writer: "Anonymity has real value, both in comments and elsewhere." In the wake of the faux lesbian Damascus blogger, the question over whether or not to allow anonymous comments is being raised again. Some claim anonymous comments allow for dissent and are essential to democracy. Other claim that that anonymous comments lead to harsher, uncivil conversation that serves nobody. [more inside]
posted by zooropa on Jun 20, 2011 - 36 comments

The Society Pages is a collection of blogs based around sociology. Some have been mentioned here before, and they cover a range of topics within sociology such as sexuality, crime and race.
posted by lauratheexplorer on Oct 14, 2010 - 6 comments

The Internet Hype Machine Bubble. Idolator has an introspective on the boom and bust cycle of the online indie music scene, focusing on the band Black Kids, who with only one EP under their belt, are already being hyped to an extreme extent. With the conversation taking prominence over the music itself, are we seeing the dark side of the Cluetrain? [more inside]
posted by zabuni on Oct 26, 2007 - 29 comments

Sorry Matt, you can't post in this thread. Google changes its Adsense agreement so that anyone participating in the program is barred from talking about the program. First rule of Adsense, there is no Adsense.
posted by Mick on Oct 3, 2003 - 30 comments

The cocky bastard has left the building... to be replaced with the life student. So, how are your online personaes lately?!
posted by insomnia_lj on Jan 3, 2003 - 41 comments

The psychology of weblogs. Interesting story about weblogs and why we continue, daily, hourly, to read them. What makes a weblog great? Is it popularity or the quality of the site that draws the punters in? For me its the characters and the links. (mefi shoutout)
posted by spinifex on Jan 26, 2002 - 13 comments

"Ah, the vibrant interaction of electronic conversation. Isn't it beautiful? In a word: No." A pessimistic take on "community."
posted by maura on Mar 26, 2001 - 26 comments

Blogger is the answer. Portals suck. "Community sites" suck. The always-excellent NUblog crew think Pyra has the answer -- communities of Bloggers focused on specific subject areas.
posted by lbergstr on Nov 16, 2000 - 7 comments