(Double meaning of the title intended) I have been noticing a disturbing trend on Digg, a user driven social content website. Based on a feature called ‘Bury It’, user comments on a news item are hidden or visible based on an open voting system. The end result? If you’re in the minority, your voice will not effectively be heard. The heavily geek-oriented userbase of Digg will regularly vote a comment down simply on the basis that it’s in opposition, even if the comment is well-informed, thoughtful, and polite. Jerry Falwell’s death today is but the most recent example of this trend. The Digg posting entitled Rev. Jerry Falwell, leader of the Moral Majority, Dead at 74. Rest In Peace has a number of perspectives, such as…
“Hey man, regardless of your thoughts, the man is dead and a whole community is grieving. Give it some time before you bash.”
The comment above was hidden and marked with a score of -78. That means 78 more people voted thumbs down on this comment than thumbs up.
I hope it’s not too hot where he’s at right now. Oh wait. I do. Good riddance you ***ing *****. I hope you’re burning in a place you’ve feared in your life.
The comment above was visible and marked with a score of +76. That means 76 more people voted thumbs up on this comment than thumbs down.
There are hundreds of other comments on this news posting, and you will notice that most of the opposition voices, those praising Falwell’s life or at least asking for civility, are buried. I don’t know much about Jerry Falwell, and therefore don’t have an informed opinion on the matter. Religious personalities are not an area I have much interest in. However, it’s tactless to post rude and obnoxious comments about someone’s death. Online anonymity accentuates nasty people.
I continue to read Digg regularly and find it to be an excellent source of news tidbits, mostly technology related. I have found myself no longer reading comments, however, due to the burying of diverse and clearly unappreciated voices.
