I have decided to shut down the blog comments for a few days to get a little peace and quiet and to allow me to consider whether it is really worth the effort that I put in. There are so many people out there who do not seem to appreciate what I am doing and are unpleasant, disrespectful and abusive, that I am not sure I know why I am doing it any longer. I am struggling to find the motivation. Most of these people think that they know all the answers, so I cannot really help them learn more. Their minds are closed. So it is a good moment to stop and ponder what to do. I’d be interested to hear intelligent feedback on this question, but I am not going to post any of it, because a lot of the responses in recent days have been coming from people who are simply grandstanding.
Hi Joe. I can certainly understand your feelings about this and the way I look at is if not having comments keeps you motivated to produce the awesome material you do, then bin the comments!
I will leave some genuine, intelligent? feedback for you, in all seriousness.
I have taken the time on a couple of occasions to post on your blog. This is clearly because I choose to read it, and so it follows that I choose your blog rather than others because it is better, simply.
However, your responses to my posts (please feel free to recheck them if you have the time or inclination) have been condesending, arrogant and sometimes rude. And frequently wide of the mark.
Perhaps if you are receiving particularly strong, personal posts, I might dare to suggest that it is because of the tone of your replies and the put-down nature of them. I have mentioned this in my own posts in the past.
The last time I posted I received a disproportionately sarcastic reply. I may have differing views, but my post was on the economy, nothing personal to you at all, and nothing insulting to anybody(perhaps the banks) However the sarcasm in your reply was completely uncalled for and therefor inflammitory.
Amongst some of my professional qualities, customer care is something in which I am highly involved. The tone of your replies DOES alienate otherwise reasonable people, and I would suggest, respectfully, that you mellow in your responses and try to engage more with the people who take the time to read, then post on your blog. Whether you agree with them or not. Once there is a clear cycle of reasoned and polite responses to blog posts, the polite vibe will come through. And the amount of negativity around your blog will simply disappear.
In case my tone is not clear since this is a quick email, I am in no way meaning this to be insulting AT ALL!
Come on Joe. The number of people who look forward to reading your blog for the unique insights into the F1 world hugely outnumber the mindless idiots with too much time on their hands. Please don’t let the minority spoil this for the rest of us who are deeply appreciative of what you do.
Please, please keep the blog going.