Heavily trafficked blog launches bold new “tiered” commenting system
posted at 9:30 pm on July 15, 2009 by Allahpundit
No, not us. Not yet. But I’m not going to lie: I dig it.
Jezebel’s editor last week announced the site was designating a “Tier 1″ level of privileged contributors whose comments are “funniest, thoughtful, intelligent, well-argued” and who have proven themselves “engaged, intelligent, humorous, fair-minded, thoughtful, rational, etc.”
Their comments will be shown below each blog post. All others, in Tier 2, will be available only if a user clicks to see them. Tier 1 commenters, in addition, will have the right to bump comments from others up or down. Editors, ultimately, will have the final say.
Atheist commenters: Automatic Tier 1. No, seriously, what do people think of this? When I mentioned it to the boss, she worried that a tiered system would destroy the chat room feel that a lot of threads have (especially longer ones), but that could be fixed by giving each user the option of viewing tiered or untiered. The default would be tiered, letting casual/non-commenting readers see the best of the best when they read a post; regulars could turn the default off and go back to chat room mode. A tiered system would also give us an option short of banning people for bad behavior. My main concern is that feelings will inevitably be hurt when some people end up in Tier 2, but the consolation there, I guess, is that then they can berate me for being an elitist RINO poseur. Even more than usual, I mean.
I think we need to poll it.
Blowback
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Man, it’s true though. Allahpundit is the most effective troll in blogospheric history.
He’s got this tier, and it’s [bleeping] golden. You don’t just give those away.
(my comment didn’t show up… is it because I used uncensored language? I’ll watch my mouth, I promise.)
Siobhan on July 15, 2009 at 10:32 PM
So, like, what’s it take to be part of the elite around here?
rogersnowden on July 15, 2009 at 10:31 PM
To never use “like” in a sentence.
txag92 on July 15, 2009 at 10:32 PM
Mmmmmmmm….sexxxxxay…. j/k LMAO
ddrintn on July 15, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I don’t understand what you just said. Please take your time to explain. Use lots of words and type slowly. Then quickly. Then slowly….
TN Mom on July 15, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Why didn’t you mention this before?
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 10:33 PM
My initial impression is mixed. Maybe that will change after I’ve read what others think.
On the one hand, I enjoy HotAir and am resistant to change.
On the other hand, if the best comments were more accessible, perhaps Rush or other influential conservatives would be more likely to notice something that AP or Ed missed. Valid points are often raised here that I Rush and others miss.
But I’m not sure I like the criteria for entry into the top tier. For example, Progressoverpeace has a contentious relationship with you, Allah, and is also into the birth certificate conspiracy, but he’s also one of my favorite commentators here and makes a lot of original arguments, and I know I’m not the only one that feels that way. If he’s not in the top tier I’m not interested in it. And Progressoverpeace is only one example. A number of my favorite commenter’s here fall somewhere outside of the mainstream in one regard or another.
FloatingRock on July 15, 2009 at 10:33 PM
I’m forming a militia down on Tier 10. If you can shoot decently and are able to provide your own weapon, meet me down there tonight at 2330.
Code phrases for the operatives working behind the lines in Tiers 1-4: “Jack has a nice hat. The wheelchair squeaks at noon.”
Bishop on July 15, 2009 at 10:34 PM
As long as there is a tier 3 for the Paliniacs….
Bradky on July 15, 2009 at 10:34 PM
We have a special tier for you. Douche tier.
HornetSting on July 15, 2009 at 10:35 PM
She’s right. As usual.
BacaDog on July 15, 2009 at 10:35 PM
I’ve never seen a Seinfeld episode.
txag92 on July 15,2009 at 10:28PM.
txag92: Try and watch the ‘Soup Nazi’ episode,it kinda
reminds of the Tier System!!hehe:)
canopfor on July 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I can bring my angry cat and a bottle of Jager. Can I be in your militia?
HornetSting on July 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Are you kidding? The aim is to drive up traffic. They won’t do that with Newt threads.
ddrintn on July 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Enough, already. We got your idea.
MadisonConservative on July 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM
You owe me a new keyboard.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM
That’s why she’s the BOSS.
thomasaur on July 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM
I’m copying my proposal again because it fits hotair’s culture better than what gawker is doing…
Go against the mob… make a thread and ask people who they’d like in the top tier…
ninjapirate on July 15, 2009 at 10:36 PM
See this is what I’m talking about. If we move to a tier system I’ll never get to see any of this douchebags comments.
BadgerHawk on July 15, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Well…this was fun! Allah asks a serious question for about the third time in two years, and we mostly react like a bunch of 7th graders in science class with a substitute teacher. I guess in my own special way I staked out a spot on Tier 2, didn’t I.
For the record AP, I suppose that you are measured by “unique hits”, right? And that means new people coming here and staying for a bit, as well as the daily/nightly addicts who sign on and stay for three hours. And if the blizzard of dreck comments turns off new visitors, then you have a problem.
I would enjoy a greater concentration of quality commenters, I suppose, but then I am usually one to head for the gutter, too. Hard to say until you try it.
Jaibones on July 15, 2009 at 10:37 PM
you are so bad!!!
i LOVE IT
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 10:38 PM
You can haul water and load magazines, your cat can be wired with explosives and trained to run under a Tier 1 tank.
Take it or leave it.
Bishop on July 15, 2009 at 10:38 PM
make that, one public viewable by nonmembers but postable and managed by the top tier… the private stack is viewable and postable by regular members…
ninjapirate on July 15, 2009 at 10:38 PM
I see we rate his comments on about the same level…
BadgerHawk on July 15, 2009 at 10:38 PM
You really have to ask yourself what kind of commenter makes the cut.
What’s up, Bradky?
Jaibones on July 15, 2009 at 10:39 PM
This kind of repetition will never get you out of Tier 9.This kind of repetition will never get you out of Tier 9.This kind of repetition will never get you out of Tier 9.This kind of repetition will never get you out of Tier 9.This kind of repetition will never get you out of Tier 9….
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 10:39 PM
As near as I can tell, the people whose opinions I respect are all the ones AP considers “trolls.”
It might be OK if it was set up so I could have the option of ONLY seeing the posts Allah is personally offended by.
TheDailyBeast? Salon.com? I’d be perfectly happy to join the 99.99999999% of the world’s population that Allahpundit considers second-class citizens in forgetting that something calling itself the “right-of-center media” even exists.
logis on July 15, 2009 at 10:39 PM
I just thought of a SWEET idea… we should have two “stacks” of comments, one for members and one for non-members. It seems like this could make the member comments even more exclusive! You could even make it where non-members couldn’t even read them!
DaveS on July 15, 2009 at 10:40 PM
That’s a tier one comment, if for nothing other than the visual of the cat.
BadgerHawk on July 15, 2009 at 10:40 PM
ROTFLMAO….. There are 10 kind of people in the world… Those who understand binary and those who dont… :P
doriangrey on July 15, 2009 at 10:40 PM
My cat can shoot a .45, she doesn’t do or carry explosives. She can also infiltrate the enemy and cause mayhem. She says take the offer.
HornetSting on July 15, 2009 at 10:40 PM
Tier 1 bad, or Tier 2 bad??
TN Mom on July 15, 2009 at 10:41 PM
+1 for originality.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Dirty minds….
HornetSting on July 15, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Tier Missionary
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 10:42 PM
That is such a brilliant, and completely original, idea.
BadgerHawk on July 15, 2009 at 10:42 PM
I thought there were only two kinds of people in the world; those that divide people into groups, and those that don’t.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Apparantly, Tier 2 is the party tier….
ladyingray on July 15, 2009 at 10:43 PM
For those that get to play would that be the Obama tier.
heshtesh on July 15, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Old fashioned. How sweet!
TN Mom on July 15, 2009 at 10:43 PM
Well, so much for that campaign promise.
Well, so much for that one too.
Cheshire Cat on July 15, 2009 at 10:43 PM
How about we have two board systems. We’ll call them “stacks” one for members and one for non-members, only the members would be able to read the members board. How about that for exclusive?
DFCtomm on July 15, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Well said! See you at Tier 11!
Christian Conservative on July 15, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Didn’t your mother ever tell you about thinking… :P
doriangrey on July 15, 2009 at 10:44 PM
Ewww. The Obama Tier is one place you do NOT want to find yourself. Benny is there eyeing new arrivals…
ddrintn on July 15, 2009 at 10:45 PM
or..better yet, insiders won’t be able to see own comments , but the ones in tiers 2-4 would be able to see tier 1 comments and comment on them, and then tier 5 would be able to not comment on comments of tier 3, but tier 4 will have an ignore button and tier 6 will..
runner on July 15, 2009 at 10:45 PM
A true southern belle is the life of every party!
TN Mom on July 15, 2009 at 10:45 PM
By all means, what the feminist blogosphere needs is to become more insular. They’ve built their hugbox like NORAD.
CTD on July 15, 2009 at 10:45 PM
I heard in a bar one night that once you make it to Tier 33 you can rule the internet.
dddave on July 15, 2009 at 10:46 PM
Just trying to show respect!
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 10:47 PM
There are only two types of people I can’t stand; those who divide people into groups, and the Dutch.
BadgerHawk on July 15, 2009 at 10:47 PM
I heard the same thing but it was a lvl 76 druid in WOW.
DFCtomm on July 15, 2009 at 10:48 PM
As a commenter with little to say and less wit with which to say it, I of course, vote for the non-tiered system. The tiered system of comment-worthiness sounds like something spawned in the mind of Hussein.
Furthermore, as one who runs her own blog, unaided, I wonder which of you guys has time to decide whose posts are worthy of the top tier, whose are second-rate, and whose fit for lining the bottom of the birdcage. Or is there a computer program that can make this kind of determination, perhaps a relative of Totus?
winfield on July 15, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Oh GOOD GRIEf!!
FIRST the “Green Room” for those “exceptional” commenters and now THIS? ARE YOU SERIOUS?
This smacks of favoritism non paralelle. Geesh! How about making it easier to view comments or something instead of doing the “YOU are IN and YOU are OUT” thing? HOW ..dare I say it…..well…obviously others are…ELITIST thing? sheesh..BTW….WHO judges who is IN or OUT..Heidi Klum?
Thank Goodness Michelle IS the BOSS...AP and Ed are about to RUIN HOTAIR if the dogs of their ideas are given free reign! SHEEEEEEEESH!
GET A GRIP BOYS!
labwrs on July 15, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Ewww. The Obama Tier is one place you do NOT want to find yourself. Benny is there eyeing new arrivals…
ddrintn on July 15, 2009 at 10:45 PM
Was’nt expecting an invite anyway.
heshtesh on July 15, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Pardon me if everyone is asking this question about themselves, but what tier would I fall into?
Oh, and also pardon me if you don’t feel compelled to answer in any way, shape, or form. If that is the case just let me know. (Gotcha there, didn’t I? Catch-22.)
OneGyT on July 15, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I await the Tier System page to be put up,like a class test
results and see what everyone’s score,er I..I..mean what
tier level there at!!
Will there be a H/A Appeal mechanism,for those who are dis-
gruntled,jus sayin!!ahem.
canopfor on July 15, 2009 at 10:49 PM
I think he was sent to the Corn Field.
Sigmund on July 15, 2009 at 10:50 PM
If tiering the comments help you make a profit, and therefore stay in business, then do it.
spmat on July 15, 2009 at 10:50 PM
I think if this catches on, progressive pansies will babble on endlessly about “tier justice.”
jjrakman on July 15, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Highhopes,
“Are you that Exhelo?”
Yes. I was banned from the WaPo for calling someone an a-hole when he said that Israel should be pushed into the sea.
exhelodrvr on July 15, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Yes! Tis true!
ladyingray on July 15, 2009 at 10:51 PM
~
I find your insatiability challenging, but I will have to save my best stuff now for the tier 1 lottery. I intend to drive you wild with passion when the opportunity to use you for my own ends arises. It doesn’t mean I don’t truly love you though.
bagoh20 on July 15, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Can I come to your party?
blatantblue on July 15, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Hey what gives, I was the 1st post on the thread.
TheSitRep on July 15, 2009 at 10:52 PM
Anyone sweating regarding previous Allah snarks,better hope he has thicker skin than the One.
heshtesh on July 15, 2009 at 10:53 PM
First woo hoo!
TheSitRep on July 15, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Aah yes… the less articulate must be put in their place. We have no time or patience with those that the chosen might have proper objections with……… like me.
PaCadle on July 15, 2009 at 10:53 PM
Don’t feel like being in clique-y HS again; thanks. No tiers.
inviolet on July 15, 2009 at 10:55 PM
How about a “Registered Members Tier”, which would allow comments from people who have “registered” and display them in some kind of time-based “order”?
LibTired on July 15, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I know what we need – an incredibly layered system like this one!
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Dave R,
“unless it is done by length of membership, heh, heh”
That’s getting too personal, even though I would clearly be a Tier 1.
exhelodrvr on July 15, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I guess if we are having a tier system of the most intelligent commentors, then I suppose we will have to invite Saint Olaf back to head the party… Oh wait, did I just say most intelligent. Nevermind
NeverLiberal on July 15, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Cool, I’m glad to know I’m in the majority. This format works Allah, Ed and Michelle. Stick with what works.
Geronimo on July 15, 2009 at 10:56 PM
And it will be the 6th tier of hell for those who talk back to allah and ed.
peacenprosperity on July 15, 2009 at 10:56 PM
Spit it out, it’s not yours!
thomasaur on July 15, 2009 at 10:57 PM
If I ever get banned for anything that righteous, I’ll wear it like a badge.
Good for you – sometimes you call a spade a spade.
Sometimes you call it a &(*Yy90 shovel.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Sorry; missed that. Was he banned? Why?
inviolet on July 15, 2009 at 10:58 PM
I kinda like the idea in the sense that I imagine we’ll be able to skip over troll posts easier, but I favor more of an “everyone gets tier 1 status as a default until being demoted somehow”.
Really for me, it’s just about the trolls. If only because I prefer it to all out banning.
Esthier on July 15, 2009 at 10:58 PM
Okay,I’ve got a brilliant idea,how about,we go by seniority,
and yes,yes,I know it smacks of Lefty union thuggery!
canopfor on July 15, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Herr Obama is already setting up a “Tier” System of his own which will soon supplant all other “Tier” Systems. Pretty much everyone here is already headed for the bottom “tier”, guaranteed. But you didn’t hear it from me.
OberfeldwebelSchultz on July 15, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Great Idea.
So, AP and Ed are going to elevate the same great commenters we see in the Green Room, then decide who has the witty, engaging comments for tier 1. After spending a couple of hours on that, they’ll try to find a new topic to post so the entire process can begin again.
Then, they’ll make their readers have to choose whether to see only the witty comments as determined by the HA staff and the tier 1 team, or give them an option to click a button somewhere to see the unworthy.
Give me a break. I just want to scroll through and laugh or get pissed based on what I see. Or do a drive-by comment on someones post.
HA is unique. Leave it alone.
BacaDog on July 15, 2009 at 11:00 PM
I don’t really advocate changing anything, but maybe what we need is a “troll board of review” of some sort, to get rid of obvious trolls that are living just inside the edges of the terms of use.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 11:00 PM
Better make sure that everyone but white males are in Tier 1, or you’ll get sued.
exhelodrvr on July 15, 2009 at 11:01 PM
He may have thrown some food at one of the hosts once. But you didn’t hear that from me either.
OberfeldwebelSchultz on July 15, 2009 at 11:01 PM
I’ll need to stop keeping all this wit to myself and beef up my humorous post count.
gmbdds on July 15, 2009 at 11:03 PM
You guys are afraid of change!!!
ninjapirate on July 15, 2009 at 11:03 PM
So all we would need to do to get easy points is make slight modifications to someone else’s good comments and re-post? George COstanza would love it!
exhelodrvr on July 15, 2009 at 11:04 PM
IMHO – I see no problem in an experiment tier system but it shoud on a trial basis. You don’t go all in on an unproven system.
If the tier system is to be tried, start small with Greenroom first.
It can always be expanded if it is deemed a success or reverted back to how it is now if it is determined to be a failure.
Americannodash on July 15, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Can we bridge our time spent at Captain’s Quarters?
connertown on July 15, 2009 at 11:05 PM
I like this format too. I think you should stick with it. If you wanted to improve the site you could have an option that you can respond to a particular comment without the coping and pasting.
Brat4life on July 15, 2009 at 11:05 PM
What i’d like to see is for Hot Air to post the contributor’s ID at the top of a post so as to be able to identify if i feel like wasting my time reading it.
heshtesh on July 15, 2009 at 11:06 PM
yeah, that’s good ! what would also help is a display of registrants alias, alongside the timestamp. I think alias first, date and then time.
runner on July 15, 2009 at 11:07 PM
Your wish is granted.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 11:08 PM
All tiers are equal, but some tiers are more equal than others…
profitsbeard on July 15, 2009 at 11:08 PM
If you are making money off the number of hits to this site then you are shooting yourself in the foot. You do ok with the posts but if I can’t comment and respond to others comments why would I hang around? I think that will be the experience of lots of others and HA will be dead in the water in a couple of months.
peacenprosperity on July 15, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Place it in the upper right hand corner.
Americannodash on July 15, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Seriously, I really like the free-for-all feel here. Keep it as it is, please.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 11:09 PM
If only Allah would pick me for Tier 1…..If only
Pick Me, Pick Me!
Puhlease don’t make me beg Allah.
It’s a really ugly display and most unflattering.
The shame of it would be unbearable….unless it works….then I could bear it because I would be in Tier 1.
dddave on July 15, 2009 at 11:09 PM
Your wish is granted.
massrighty on July 15, 2009 at 11:08 PM
Ahhhh thank’s?
heshtesh on July 15, 2009 at 11:10 PM
LOL +10
BacaDog on July 15, 2009 at 11:12 PM
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