Reagle demonstrates how complex online commentary actually is, from questions of identity raised by selfies and sockpuppets to online debates both serious and silly. Reading the Comments makes it clear how vital the web's marginalia has become as a cultural outlet. -- Clay Shirky, Associate Professor, New York University, and author of Cognitive Surplus and Here Comes Everybody Reagle approaches 'the bottom of the web' with the insight -- and humor -- the topic deserves. By urging us to take seriously an aspect of the digital ecosystem many of us try to ignore, Reagle skillfully navigates a landscape of virulent abuse, shameless promotion, and legitimate insight hidden in the comments and reviews of the web. This is a must-read for people trying to understand the challenges of encouraging productive participation online. -- Ethan Zuckerman, Director, Center for Civic Media, MIT In Reading the Comments, Joseph Reagle exposes the powerful social, cultural, and political implications of comments in the digital age. Entertaining and informative, critical and insightful, this book is an eye-opener for anyone who has ever written a comment, clicked the like button, or asked 'WTF?' when reaching the 'bottom of the web.' -- Limor Shifman, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, author of Memes in Digital Culture
Joseph M. Reagle, Jr. is Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Northeastern University and the author of Good Faith Collaboration: The Culture of Wikipedia (MIT Press).
[A]n especially virtuous endeavor given that so many of us are now
continually engaged in our own fitful projects of online content
creation.
*The New Yorker*
In the small but growing body of literature on the subject, this
work stands out as a complete overview. Though academic in nature,
the writing shapes an engaging topic into an approachable narrative
for the general audience.
*Library Journal*
The history of comment as a genre has never been treated with such
care and stewardship as it is by Reagle…
*PopMatters*
Reagle…offers a rollicking-yet-thoughtful tour through comment
threads across the web—from book reviews to Facebook spats and from
commercial contexts to intimate spaces of self-expression. Amply
spiced with jokes and comics, and anchored with just enough theory
to structure the discussion, Reagle's book should be read by anyone
with an interest in 'the bottom half of the web.'
*The Chronicle of Higher Education*
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