Numbers like that make clear that comments sections aren't fostering conversation, they are killing it. The rise of social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook — as well as more niche question/answer sites like Quora — have made comments sections increasingly obsolete as well. I'll be the first to admit that rooting for comments sections to die seems and feels, at first glance, profoundly undemocratic. But that's because you are likely thinking of your platonic vision of comments sections — in which someone you have never met before offers up a great, on-topic article you missed, you strike up a friendship, connect offline and become the best of friends forever. So, good on you, NPR for taking a stand against comments sections.

Source: Washington Post August 17, 2016 17:54 UTC