General: Blog Comments

All bloggers will tell you that they love to receive comments on their posts. It's a sign that what's written has been read and taken seriously, rather than a reader just scrolling down looking at the pictures. When I began my blog I accepted comments automatically. After a few years, as my blog became larger and had more readers, the number of spam comments outnumbered the genuine comments, so I enabled comment moderation: i.e. a comment only becomes visible on my blog after I've read it and approve of it. I usually reply to all my comments.

It wasn't until later that I realised I could use the comment moderation as a trick to allow readers to send me a private message. Write whatever you want, but add the words "Please don't publish this comment", and I'll obey your wishes. You might want to send me your email address in a comment. I shan't share it with anyone, I promise.

Most of the spam is film-related, things like "Visit illegalfilms.com to download free movies before they're in the cinema", etc. Sometimes the spam is about completely unrelated subjects. For instance, three days ago someone commented "If you are looking for the top security companies in London that provide its customer with remarkable security services. Check out this site for security services and nightclub security services". Wow! That's random. But I'll let you know right now, it's a waste of time spamming me. The comments won't be published, and I shan't click on any links in the comment.

Today something new happened. I received a comment on my latest Marvel post insulting me. The post was labelled Anonymous, so I have no idea who wrote it. The comment was made shortly after I advertised my post on Facebook, so I suspect that it comes from a Facebook "friend" or a follower who can read my public posts. (All my posts on Facebook are public, as a matter of principle).

At first I approved the comment, intending to reply and ask for clarification. Then I changed my mind, because the comment contains two swear words which I don't allow on my blog. It's now landed in my spam folder.

Do I need to defend myself from such accusations? Not really. You can read every post I've written since September 2010, all 4002 of them – I hope you will! – and you won't find the slightest trace of racism. You can check my Facebook page – as I've already said, all my posts are public – and you won't find anything offensive.

No person should ever be judged by the colour of his skin or the country of his origin. I judge people by what they say and do. I used to say that I judge people by what's on the inside, but I have to revise that statement. I have no way of knowing what a person thinks unless he expresses it outwardly in words or deeds.

If anyone, including the anonymous commenter, thinks that I have ever said anything different, please leave a comment on this post, without using offensive swear words, and I'll discuss it with you.