Comment is... dull?

A fascinating thing is happening with forums on Media Guardian. I'm probably late in spotting this, but two things are regularly going on.

The first few postings are usually measured, quite opinionated and, importantly, on topic. Then, as the postings go on, they deteriorate into childish ranting, oneupmanship and, sadly, slagging off (and these are the posts that are allowed to stay on the site).

Second, the same people comment day in, day out. Which again, is fair enough, but it means the same rants, ravings and childish comments spill over from topic to topic.

As the Guardian's site says, comment is free, and I'm the last person to stifle free speech. But there's a problem that the Guardian faces. On the one hand, allowing absolutely everyone (with internet connectivity) to comment is a good thing. But on the other, life gets dull very quickly reading the same voices (give them a column!). The vision that springs to mind is that the regular posters are like children in a playground, all shouting at once, some louder than others, desperate to get heard, however inane. Finally, the Guardian, being a big media organisation, has to be careful not to over-edit for fear of hypocracy. Tough call, eh.

Guilty as charged, I do drop in from time to time, but only leave comments on subjects I feel I'd like to comment on, and I certainly wouldn't engage in the war of words and exchange of insults that goes on day in, day out. It just gets samey and dull, which makes me wonder whether I should bother anymore. The public sphere of the playground has a new home on internet forums.

One of my favourite quotes rings true: 'Just because your voice reaches halfway around the world doesn't mean you are wiser than when it reached only to the end of the bar.' Edward R Murrow.

Very true. Landlord, another pint, please!