I have been talking to a friend lately about creating online communities. They are interested in exploring the possibility of a walled garden. A central feature of this type of website, which may or may not be set up as a business model, is to have an interactive community communication system. What this usually comes down to is a forum.
Today I was looking at some information about website forums and the issue of moderation. Moderation in the respect of policing the forum so that the conversation remains civil, helpful and supportive. I know from a few projects that I was involved with in the past that any form of internet attention is quick to draw trolls. Trolls are folks that are negative, destructive and can be downright nasty. Kind of like talk radio today. Rush, Hannity, Bortz and Beck types that spew hatred, negativity and lower the discourse to a nasty base level. On a lot of levels that approach and style is so disturbing but I do freely exercise my right to not listen. There is nothing constructive being offered so I keep it away from me. This is the same thing that is done in moderating a forum, if one chooses to do so.
I can only wonder what busy websites that allow comments to be added have to deal with. I have seen the tiniest tip of the iceberg when it comes to this stuff. I would never allow such stuff to be a part of any online project I have a hand in running. If I was to expand and try such a thing where I was to build a site that was at least paid attention to by more than a few folks, so was to have another site besides this one where there was more interaction, I would definitely keep the discourse civil and police what people contribute.
Other thoughts: