Putting an End to Trash Talk on HNN's Discussion Boards

Among the great strengths of HNN are our discussion boards, which are free wheeling, often imaginative, and usually stimulating. But it can equally be said that the discussion boards are one of the great weaknesses of HNN. Too often they feature hyperbola instead of thoughtfulness, vile vulgar language, and rank racist or anti-Semitic barbs.

The question we have faced is how to fix them so that we keep what works and rid ourselves of what is patently offensive. We tried several measures. We introduced rules of civility. We began removing offensive comments. We banned a small number of serial rabble rousers. And still the discussion boards became havens for comments so patently offensive they made grown people cringe.

In a renewed effort to put an end to trash talk on HNN we are turning to a technological solution.

From now on only readers who register with HNN can post comments. Readers are now required to post under their real names. To make sure they are who they say they are they have to provide their email address. Once a reader registers, the system will dispatch an email to their registered email address. They will have to respond in order to be able to post. Once they have registered in this manner they will be able to post as often as they like without reregistering. Email addresses are hidden. The readers' names will appear on the site.

Flagrant violators of HNN's standards will be banned. Offensive comments will be deleted.

It is our hope that by holding people responsible for their posts we will be able to discourage irresponsibility on the boards.

Placing our hopes in technology is as American as apple pie. We hope that in this case the hope is not misplaced.