Anonymous Commenters

I've been doing a lot of reading as opposed to writing - unless you count writing comments on other people's blogs. During my blog travels, I've noticed a disturbing trend, which is really bugging me.

The curse of the anonymous commenter

They swoop in and do a drive by. They make judgements on your character and leave asinine comments such as:-

"You are nigerian and what people think matters, period. I am calling you now, still hoping and praying that this is really not you. If it is you better take this blog down immediately. I don't give a shit about free speech as someone who loves you I am telling you this is bullshit. @ last anonymous said,if you want to write you can send your writing to people close to you. "

"why are you putting your business out there? don't you people learn? people are closing their blogs because they regret putting personal things up. "

"I decided to give your blog another try but I can't take it. You are truly stupid(no offense madam best school). From your three posts your man sounds reasonable but you sound like an idiot. He does not want abortion,hates that you are a slut and now he thinks your stupid thinking is annoying. Abeg why the guy still de with you? "

Funnily enough - I took this all from one blog. But I know there are several instances across different blogs where people try to guess who you are and start putting personal shit up. I have found myself railing at these people on several blogs and thought I’d be better placed just talking about it. People please respect the concept of the blogspot. It's meant to give people anonymity to express themselves as honestly as possible without fear of being attacked by people they know. It also gives people a chance to speak about their problems and get the help they may not necessarily get by speaking to the people around them. For Nigerians in particular, we all know what a bloody small community it is. Instead of the normal 6, it's more like 2 degrees of separation.

What really pisses me off are the people who try and tell you what you should or shouldn't write and go to stupid lengths to say guess you are and attack you personally. Almost without fail, they are all anonymous and are either too stupid or unimaginative enough to actually write themselves, or not brave enough to put themselves out there - thus hiding behind the very thing they are trying to abuse. It also really pissess me off, because it stifles a lot of what could be very good, creative, evocative, heartfelt and naturally HONEST writing. It also prevents people from actually dealing with their problems. Who the hell is going to write that "My daddy still comes to my room every night" if they know that he's going to be getting it in an email within 30 mins?

Anyways, there is a solution to all this. If you're a blogger and not doing it cos you are an attention whore (loll - I admit to sometimes being one), and you want to block anonymous people from leaving stupid comments on your blog (especially if you often write provocative pieces) then in your settings (in the dashboard), go to comments and change the setting where it asks Who Can Comment? - pick the Only Registered Users option.

I know that unfortunately, there are a couple of commenters who do wish to be anonymous cos they write about personal stuff which may be painful etc. You can register without actually setting up a blog. You can also choose to make your blog unavailable to the general public. Hopefully this should prevent a lot of the stupidos from becoming a pest.