When you write or share videos online, it’s fair to say that you’re game for any person out there to comment on it. Many times, the comments are helpful, thoughtful and appreciative. Other times, not.

This morning I saw these two comments left on one of my blog posts and although they come from the same person or bot, these are fairly typical of what I have received in the past.

These comments are meaningless to me. I simply bin them and forget about them. I also check my settings and then insert the IP address into the blocker software I have. This one also highlighted to me that I will need to add the word ‘Karen’ into the keyword blocker too so that such comments can get filtered out.

It’s a pity to have to block a typical name for a female.

How did this name become an insult?

(This commenter left both his email address with his full name and IP address which I looked up)

By far, the worst are the comments in YouTube which for some reason, allows some comments through and not others. I moderate every single comment and decide whether or not to publish. My video on “How to Spot a Fascist” draws the most comments by various people on opposite ends of the political spectrum but at least in that video, they don’t draw comments on my looks but instead write about politics.

I’ve been listening to an excellent podcast Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling which examines the debate between feminism, gender and sex. It’s well worth a listen that presents both sides of the story. I agree with her when she says more diverse voices must be heard online and to not fear those who aim to put us down.

Now if “Steve or David” – or Paul from the UK – had presented to me an argument or research into what they found about women over 50 in the workplace and the difficulties that employers may have or the impact to working conditions or others around; the lack of knowledge and information presented to employers and business about assisting women of that age; instead of insults, then it would be a different story. I would have published their comments – even engaged with them.

Oh well.