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XKCD Improving the Internet ... Yet Again

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the oh-oh-monroe dept.

netbuzz writes "Comic creator Randall Monroe suggested in a recent xkcd strip that YouTube comments would be better — or, more precisely, less idiotic — if only those posting them were forced to hear their words read aloud first. Well, YouTube has gone and made this "audio preview" a reality, albeit an optional one. And, it's not the first time that xkcd has contributed to the betterment of the Internet, as those who are familiar with last year's "Internet census" and its use of a Hilbert curve may remember."

12 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Interesting concept... by Phydeaux314 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Although I think that the people who need this feature most are the kind least likely to actually use it.

    --
    Never underestimate the stupidity inherent in all human beings.
    1. Re:Interesting concept... by tool462 · · Score: 5, Insightful

      Correction. The people who need this feature are likely to use it to get the computer to say naughty things to them. Especially if there is an option to have the voice be the woman with a British accent used on some GPS systems.

    2. Re:Interesting concept... by PCMX · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I would go further on your prediction by claiming that no one will use it altogether other than to just try it out. Albeit innovative for an online service, it is a feature that serves no real purpose when not imposed on the user.

    3. Re:Interesting concept... by caluml · · Score: 4, Insightful

      I suspect you mean an English accent. Scottish or Welsh are very different. In fact, I'd go so far to say that you probably mean a "Posh" Received Pronunciation English accent.

      --
      Get your own free personal location tracker
    4. Re:Interesting concept... by Legion_SB · · Score: 5, Insightful

      This American is becoming partial to the Welsh accent. Thanks mostly to the girl from Torchwood.

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      'a';DROP TABLE users; SELECT * FROM DATA WHERE name LIKE '%'... if you're reading this, it didn't work.
    5. Re:Interesting concept... by Firehed · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I think Slashdot's approach with the quick-reply AJAXified version is fine: preview and cancel, with two useless buttons that nobody uses. And after you preview, you still usually have to wait about 15 minutes to post the comment because you type at a rate of more than two words per hour.

      Audio previews should really wipe out all but the true extremes - only the most determined idiots and geniuses will actually submit their comments. Whether that's a good thing or not remains to be seen.

      --
      How are sites slashdotted when nobody reads TFAs?
  2. I'm impressed! by Verdatum · · Score: 5, Insightful

    First non-pants story I've seen on idle! Huzzah!

  3. No good by kamikazearun · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Will stupid people realise how stupid their posts are when they're read out aloud?

    1. Re:No good by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

      No, the same way tone deaf & annoying twats who go on X Factor/American Idol will think they are great even when everyone else thinks they're crap (including the Simon Cowell types who are making obscene amounts of money of these twats making asses of themselves) except the one idiot who never criticizes anyone because theyre so desperate for friends.

      Most people on the planet are stupid mindless sheep who follow the head sheep no matter where they go. They think they're living happy lives with their facebook pages with 40 friends (38 of whom they never actually talk to) who all tell them they're so great and cool just so they get the same response back. They'll instantly attack someone the instant something negative is said about Apple/PS3/XBox/Google/Anything not because the comments are wrong but because they feel it attacks their chosen irrational faith in whatever pathetic ''thing' they mindlessly worship.

    2. Re:No good by EchaniDrgn · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I stand corrected, suxzorz does in fact get parsed and spoken.... That's sad...

  4. I have to ask... by ThisIsAnonymous · · Score: 5, Insightful

    So when is /. getting this?

  5. Re:I'm so torn... by Ihmhi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I believe most of us would agree that nothing from idle belongs on the front page.

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    Random Thoughts From A Diseased Mind (Not For Dummies)