[uberswe]

I still look for comments on any article I find interesting. If the site owner takes the time to moderate the comments you can usually find some really good info there. I like to offer comments on my own sites because it's an easy way for readers to give me feedback and to start a discussion.

[rchaud]

This is becoming more and more futile as time goes on. 10+ years ago blogs were fun because of the comment section. Each website had its own particular audience who created their own culture in the comments.

Now that's pretty much all gone. Most 'blogs' have no personality and are producing the same kind of keyword-researched content every other site is. The writing is dry and lifeless, as if its only purpose is to be picked up by a search engine. Scroll to the bottom, no comments, just a grotesque "share" widget.

These sites look and feel like ghost towns now. It's a completely different atmosphere than what internet communities were envisioned to be.

[pllbnk]

For some websites I like reading comment sections too.

Perhaps a good moderation strategy would be to have a minimum length rule for each comment? It would not prevent spammers and bots, however putting those aside only people who want to deliver a thought-out message would participate. Not saying there wouldn't be controversial messages though.

[ep103]

They're a great barometer of the quality of the content and dedication of the team running the website to said quality. Its not surprising in the least that Facebook falls short in this metric.