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Tiresias · Feb 20, 2007, 04:11 AM

You cannot find more stupid, pointless, and illiterate comments anywhere on the Internet. I frequent a bunch of forums. I read amazon customer reviews. I read comments posted in online newspapers etc. I even read people's blogs! But YouTube. Wow. Those are some stupid comments.

The chain letter type posts seem particularly diagnostic of the general stupidity of the YouTube community. You know: "A girl was killed by an axe blablabla and now you've read this if you don't post it she'll come to you in the night..." and then follow thousands of replies... wtf? That's continually self-accruing evidence of stupidity right there.

I suppose it's cos' YouTube is all video, so people who don't like to or can't read go there and post and watch videos.

And if the video is politically, culturally or racially sensitive? Reader beware! People post some of the nastiest, cruellest, most vicious sh*t ever... Some of it makes me sick...

But then, cruelty and ignorance go hand-in-hand.

YouTube should just scratch comments altogether.

TETENAL · Feb 20, 2007, 04:39 AM

YouTube lacks "social control". No moderation, no ignore lists, no ratings. Other forums without this suck as well (like the heise.de forum).

screamingFit · Feb 20, 2007, 05:08 AM

Isn't YouTube targeted to the same demographic as MySpace?

PB2K · Feb 20, 2007, 05:34 AM

when you are finished ranting about youtube comments, use your time to start a rant about how misspelled a regular msm-chat is. i know you have plenty of time, as you read youtube comments.

Tiresias · Feb 20, 2007, 06:33 AM

>use your time to start a rant about how misspelled a regular msm-chat is

Spelling is not really a big deal. But I do mind stupid, nasty, cruel, and vicious comments.

Anyway, I don't use MSM messaging, and it's not the same because it's not in the public domain.

> i know you have plenty of time, as you read youtube comments.

Good one.

screamingFit · Feb 20, 2007, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Tiresias

Spelling is not really a big deal. But I do mind stupid, nasty, cruel, and vicious comments.

Not knowing how to spell makes you look stupid. Not understanding how to properly form a sentence without at least a hint of second grade grammar makes you look stupid. Couple these things with a public, semi-permanent record of ill composed drivel and it makes these people look even more stupid.

It is horrifying to see how stupid computers and technology have made people look. If I magically transformed into an English teacher for a public school right now, I'm sure I'd be fired for beating the crap out of the children.

Posting things that are nasty and cruel is just another reason why most people should not have access to the internet. Once computers became mainstream and every idiot could afford to be on the "interweb", that was the beginning of the downfall.

analogika · Feb 20, 2007, 07:19 AM

Originally Posted by screamingFit

Once computers became mainstream and every idiot could afford to be on the "interweb", that was the beginning of the downfall.

A yes, the days back when the Mac was still "the computer for the rest of us".

JoshuaZ · Feb 20, 2007, 07:22 AM

Look at the majority of videos on youtube? Then ask yourself why people post stupid and annoying comments.

The answers are very similar.

Tiresias · Feb 20, 2007, 07:58 AM

I only go to YouTube when I want to see a specific piece of footage—like the great white sharks leaping into the air off Seal Island, or an old SNL bit, or Kramer going ape-sh*t at a comedy club.

Do people actually watch those "vlog/person talking to a web cam" videos?

To me they look like home-made spam, and I am never interested enough to click on one.

Tiresias · Feb 20, 2007, 08:01 AM

Originally Posted by screamingFit

Not knowing how to spell makes you look stupid.

True, but not always.

There's a difference between someone who can't spell, and someone who makes typos. For example, someone who writes "the film is boirng" is just in a hurry.

That's what I meant.

Grammar is another story. As are the ideas (or lack thereof) you are trying to convey.

RobOnTheCape · Feb 20, 2007, 08:02 AM

"Not knowing how to spell makes you look stupid. Not understanding how to properly form a sentence without at least a hint of second grade grammar makes you look stupid."

My wife is a high achiever in the medical profession, and she always scores near 100% in college courses. However, when I proof her papers or when she leaves notes I notice mispelled words. Thus I think she looks stupid to the uninformed. I'm fine with her spelling, it's the content which is important.

Same goes for punctuation. Why is it so important to know about the rules of comma placement. There may be a few instances where improper placement may cause some confusion, however, the vast majority of the time placement or lack of punctuation is irrelevant.

Tiresias · Feb 20, 2007, 08:08 AM

Originally Posted by RobOnTheCape

it's the content which is important.

Agreed.

Neither illiteracy nor dyslexia preclude the possibility that someone is highly intelligent. Content is the best indicator.

And just take a gander at the content of YouTube posts.

The defence rests.

wallinbl · Feb 20, 2007, 08:11 AM

Originally Posted by screamingFit

Not knowing how to spell makes you look stupid.

Keep in mind that a number of people that post on internet forums do not English as a first language.

besson3c · Feb 20, 2007, 08:13 AM

Originally Posted by RobOnTheCape

"Not knowing how to spell makes you look stupid. Not understanding how to properly form a sentence without at least a hint of second grade grammar makes you look stupid."

My wife is a high achiever in the medical profession, and she always scores near 100% in college courses. However, when I proof her papers or when she leaves notes I notice mispelled words. Thus I think she looks stupid to the uninformed. I'm fine with her spelling, it's the content which is important.

Same goes for punctuation. Why is it so important to know about the rules of comma placement. There may be a few instances where improper placement may cause some confusion, however, the vast majority of the time placement or lack of punctuation is irrelevant.

Being able to come up with brilliant content while at the same time misspelling all sorts of stuff and misusing grammar like crazy is an unusual combination. By far, the vast majority of the time, bad English is coupled with poorly conceived content.

Go ask an English teacher who has seen hundreds of student papers if they agree with my assertion (if they are like those that I know, they will).

besson3c · Feb 20, 2007, 08:21 AM

I'm sick of the "English doesn't matter so long as I convey my point" posts, they irritate me!

There are certain kinds of mistakes and certain contexts in which they are made. Folding on a trickier grammar rule or spelling is one thing, making a typo is another, consistently making the same mistake is another, and worst of all, consistently making the same mistake that should have been corrected in the second grade is another!

There is no excuse for an adult to consistently get "they're/their/there" or "you're/your" wrong... NONE! Do I sound like a prick? Maybe, but how about just getting this right? It's not hard, it doesn't take much concerted effort to correct this. I'm not a genius, I don't read a ton of books, I just put in a little effort. If I can, so can everybody else as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry, if you get these simple rules wrong, you sound like a complete idiot, plain and simple... Like I said, I can be more forgiving about some of the tricker rules and spellings.

Moreover, if you are trying to make a convincing argument, writing well helps a great deal. Brilliant arguments that convey meaning in badly formed sentences work in SPITE of the badly formed sentences, they aren't enhanced by them.

So many mistakes I see are of the simple variety like my examples that should have been corrected years ago, so.... GET IT RIGHT, just put in the work and stop being a pussy!

My two cents...

analogika · Feb 20, 2007, 08:40 AM

Originally Posted by wallinbl

Keep in mind that a number of people that post on internet forums do not English as a first language.

I find that non-native speakers often put in the extra effort and actually have better spelling and grammar than many natives.

And if not, often enough it's obvious that they're not careless, but simply less English-savvy.

JonoMarshall · Feb 20, 2007, 09:05 AM

I'm sick of the "English doesn't matter so long as I convey my point" posts, they irritate me!

Your just bitter because there attitudes more easy going...

Do I sound like a prick?

You and me both, eh?

centerchannel68 · Feb 20, 2007, 09:21 AM

Disagree. I've gotten some absolutely wonderful comments on Youtube for my videos.

"If you get bored and have other footage hidden away. Could you please consider making another video. I still can't believe this video isn't on the honour roll. This is the best video on youtube"

"This video plays on every emotion in the human psyche. It makes u want to revel in the beauty, cry and the shear destructive power, make you stand in awe of the fact this is a man-made thing, and wonder if confusion as to how man could create something so terrible and beautiful at the same time. Ive never watched something that has lef t me so speechless as this has. A truly commendable compilation, and the choice of music was masterful. I applaud you in every way that I can."

etc.

I like getting comments.

Tiresias · Feb 20, 2007, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by centerchannel68

Disagree. I've gotten some absolutely wonderful comments on Youtube for my videos.

"If you get bored and have other footage hidden away. Could you please consider making another video. I still can't believe this video isn't on the honour roll. This is the best video on youtube"

"This video plays on every emotion in the human psyche. It makes u want to revel in the beauty, cry and the shear destructive power, make you stand in awe of the fact this is a man-made thing, and wonder if confusion as to how man could create something so terrible and beautiful at the same time. Ive never watched something that has lef t me so speechless as this has. A truly commendable compilation, and the choice of music was masterful. I applaud you in every way that I can."

etc.

I like getting comments.

What video got that kind of response? Link please

centerchannel68 · Feb 20, 2007, 09:37 AM

I'd post it here again but last time I posted it most people were just complete jerks. I'll PM it to you.

screamingFit · Feb 20, 2007, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by analogika

I find that non-native speakers often put in the extra effort and actually have better spelling and grammar than many natives.

And if not, often enough it's obvious that they're not careless, but simply less English-savvy.

I would agree, knowing several non-native English speakers.

Something did happen (interweb, laziness, gangsta, tech) a few years ago. Looking at MySpace, forum posts, text messages, etc. is embarrassing. 20 years ago or more, if kids in the U.S. pulled this type of incompetence, they would be sent to remedial English or held back a grade for obviously having a learning disability.

Say what you will about the Mike Judge film Idiocracy but it looks like it will be coming true.

Gossamer · Feb 20, 2007, 11:45 AM

Dakar² · Feb 20, 2007, 11:53 AM

"Tell Louis Armstrong to his face"...

besson3c · Feb 20, 2007, 11:59 AM

Originally Posted by screamingFit

I would agree, knowing several non-native English speakers.

Something did happen (interweb, laziness, gangsta, tech) a few years ago. Looking at MySpace, forum posts, text messages, etc. is embarrassing. 20 years ago or more, if kids in the U.S. pulled this type of incompetence, they would be sent to remedial English or held back a grade for obviously having a learning disability.

Say what you will about the Mike Judge film Idiocracy but it looks like it will be coming true.

Hehhe... just as I was reading all of this I was thinking specifically of that film. Good flick!

I liked the parts where Frito suggested that he "likes money"

Tomchu · Feb 20, 2007, 12:00 PM

XKCD summarizes it in the best possible way, as usual.

- - e r i k - - · Feb 21, 2007, 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by TETENAL

YouTube lacks "social control". No moderation, no ignore lists, no ratings. Other forums without this suck as well (like the heise.de forum).

You can moderate your own video comments (very few seems to do so though), and even ban users from posting comments.

I know this because I had to spend half a day moderating after my fiancé got featured on the front page of YouTube. Then the job was thankfully handed over to a secretary

Kevin · Feb 21, 2007, 06:07 AM

Originally Posted by besson3c

I'm sick of the "English doesn't matter so long as I convey my point" posts, they irritate me!

There are certain kinds of mistakes and certain contexts in which they are made. Folding on a trickier grammar rule or spelling is one thing, making a typo is another, consistently making the same mistake is another, and worst of all, consistently making the same mistake that should have been corrected in the second grade is another!

There is no excuse for an adult to consistently get "they're/their/there" or "you're/your" wrong... NONE! Do I sound like a prick? Maybe, but how about just getting this right? It's not hard, it doesn't take much concerted effort to correct this. I'm not a genius, I don't read a ton of books, I just put in a little effort. If I can, so can everybody else as far as I'm concerned.

Sorry, if you get these simple rules wrong, you sound like a complete idiot, plain and simple... Like I said, I can be more forgiving about some of the tricker rules and spellings.

Moreover, if you are trying to make a convincing argument, writing well helps a great deal. Brilliant arguments that convey meaning in badly formed sentences work in SPITE of the badly formed sentences, they aren't enhanced by them.

So many mistakes I see are of the simple variety like my examples that should have been corrected years ago, so.... GET IT RIGHT, just put in the work and stop being a pussy!

My two cents...

And you talk about other people being uptight and anal retentive.

Sky Captain · Feb 21, 2007, 06:16 AM

Because the comments are made by children.
Teh internetz are belonged by teh chillinz!

12-13 and pretending to be adults.
Much like...

Kevin · Feb 21, 2007, 06:27 AM

Originally Posted by Sky Captain

Because the comments are made by children.
Teh internetz are belonged by teh chillinz!

.

Hey what better way to make yourself look superior.

OMG I can type btter than kidz.

PB2K · Feb 21, 2007, 08:29 AM

funny youtube

funny youtube2

haha so funny

SirCastor · Feb 21, 2007, 08:53 AM

As others have said, I think the quality of comments has largely to do with the userbase, which is generally the myspace crowd. Their sole purpose (in life it seems) is to get the most people to watch their video, look at their page, and that somehow validates them.

Likewise, the best way to take down the popular kid at school is to start spreading vicious rumors about him or her. So you discredit the video you're watching by making negative comments about it. It's obnoxious yes, but I don't think there's anyone who can't look back at high school times and think "I never did/said/thought anything stupid".

I rarely read the comments, I once had something to say, but realized that it would require registering.