Have the Drive-Bys Driven Off?

Blogging insiders refer to people who deposit ugly, hostile insulting comments, then move on as drive-bys.  They often seem to be people who enjoy hurling virtual tomatoes at sincere speakers just for the Hell of it. Scoble and I went through a period a few months ago where we were innundated by drive-bys on the three sites where we write.

Robert started referring at Scobleizer as the "Mudpit." I set up the Living Room Policy, which in essence states that I will treat commenters as I would guests in my home.  If you are rude you will be warned.  If you continue to be rude, I'll throw you out and I won't let you back in.

To my surprise, I have had to do this very few times. I'm not certain, but I think there have been less than five incidents.  This is a much smaller number than I though it would be.

I just don't think the Living Room Policy is sufficiently well-known to be the reason for the new kinder gentler comment tones. So why is it happening (not that I'm complaining, mind you)?

My question is this: Are you finding few people leaving rude comments? Can anyone speculate just why its getting more courteous in the blogosphere?

Comments

[Blaine Moore (Run to Win)]

My sports blog has gotten no rude comments, and the few people that have argued with me have done so politely and cited their sources for why they think (incorrectly) as they do. (ha ha)

[Walter Lounsbery]

My blog does not get much traffic, but I do read comments on lots of other people's blogs. I think you are correct about a sudden drop in rude comments.

It is possible that an actual drop in rude/crude comments (versus perceived) is that blog authors have been 1.) Deleting bad comments and 2.) Eliminating anonymous comments. It cuts out some of the motivations that drive the rude commenters.

At this time, my blogs still experience a small amount of spam linkage (trackbacks),spam comments, and weird comments in foreign languages. I have also found cases where fake blogs have been set up using content from other blogs including my own. I haven't figured out what that's all about...

[Miguel Guhlin]

Why less rude comments? Probably folks are too tired to think of rude comments. After all, you have to be moderately creative to leave a comment, even if you're just copying someone else's rude statement or making a crass one (smile). And, perhaps, blog entries have gotten to be so esoteric, so "illuminatish" that they just scratch their heads and wonder, "Gee, what the heck are they talking about?"

Thanks,
Miguel Guhlin
Mousing Around - MGuhlin.net
http://www.mguhlin.net/blog

[Tim Jackson- Masiguy]

I have a theory and it may sound too hokie to believe, but I'm a Pisces so you'll have to forgive me.

Here goes; I think that the backlash against bad behavior is beginning to catch up with the offenders. It seems to me, through all of the current dialog bashing such people, they are slowly getting the picture. Maybe the calls and pleas for a bit of decorum are finally working. Lets' face it- without a little decorum, bloggers and the blogosphere will continue to get bashed by the masinstream press.