Blogging, along with the ability for instant public comments, has brought new dynamics to areas of consumer interest from how to feed a goldfish to real estate and finance. Consumers can now interact anonymously on a variety of subjects. H0wever the ability to remain anonymous has also allowed consumers to say things online they might not say if they had to use their real identies.

Many well regarded bloggers in various fields are no longer allowing comments unless the commenter registers as a member of that blogging community. I suspect this is a trend that will grow especially on national blogs.

A few days ago I was surprised to see someone post a comment on Manhattan Beach Confidential stating that I censor comments. It was nice that another poster disagreed. I found it interesting that not only did the the comment come out of nowhere but was not true. I published all the comments I received with the exception of one from my rich cousin in Australia who was so glad to find me after all these years.

In the last few months I've noticed that a number of comments on many real estate blogs have lost their civility and have turned rather nasty. If you don't agree with a point of view by the blog writer or other commenters the retort isn't polite discourse but rather petulance and derogatory remarks that have little in common with the give and take of a civil discussion.

I have always believed that you never learn anything if you only view one side of a subject. But I may amend my policy a bit. I'm thinking I might add a clause that states... I will continue to publish all comments whether or not we agree as long as the comments remain civil in tone. Sarcasm is OK... differing opinions are great but rude or crude will be a no- no.

I enjoy reading consumer comments and welcome them on my blog... however if you want to have your comment posted you need to write a comment and then I need to receive it.