You’ve written that The Critical Flame seeks “to clear a space in this wilderness that is the internet for articulate discussion and learned debate.” However, unlike many literary websites, there’s no commenting capability for articles. How intentional is this decision, and how do you feel the site can spark discussion outside of comment fields?
It's very intentional. Maybe because commenting attracts Trolls (which run up false stats), and moderating comments is laborious. I envisioned Critical Flame as a journal as well, not as a blog, and I decided that comments are the division between the two formats. Comment discussions yield useful insight as regularly as Halley's Comet but only half as often. Oh, that's not entirely true but is sure feels true sometimes. We do encourage letters to the editor, and pass them along to the appropriate author (if possible) or reviewer.
It's very intentional. Maybe because commenting attracts Trolls (which run up false stats), and moderating comments is laborious. I envisioned Critical Flame as a journal as well, not as a blog, and I decided that comments are the division between the two formats. Comment discussions yield useful insight as regularly as Halley's Comet but only half as often. Oh, that's not entirely true but is sure feels true sometimes. We do encourage letters to the editor, and pass them along to the appropriate author (if possible) or reviewer.
It's amazing to me that we have forgotten thousands of years of discussion that happened before the comments field of websites. Discuss what you read with a friend or family member or spouse, in an email or in person or in a letter, or when you post the article on Facebook or to Twitter. Or in response on your own blog. Or write to me. Reach out. Read and then reach out and don't be afraid of other people's opinions. People aren't fragile.
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