Meh, I disagree. I can easily imagine a dumb 15-year-old smoking weed or whatever with an older person and that person convincing them that it would be super cool to steal something. You,re not thinking straight when you're that age. I wouldn't blame it on mom automatically.

Teens do stupid things...you can't blame parents for every decision their almost-adult children make.

Yeah, because kids never have any other influences than their parents. I had great folks and I went through a stage of teen shitheadhood that I look back on in horror.

I'm wondering why it was so much easier to get out of the pink system. Maybe because there were comment mods back then? I had a star for years but I never got out of the grays.

The only thing I'm not thrilled about is the punny comments being put on a pedestal again. Those got old and annoying a long time ago and I feel the current comment system flushed them out a bit.

There *was* that time a few years ago when Gawker Media accounts were hacked.

What a shame. I guess I won't be engaging in anymore conversation.... I had been really enjoying it the last few months.

Yes! I use a burner. Only one, this is it, I don't post anything too awful, but I like that it's not connected to any of my real life stuff.

The problem there is defining "terrible." What's to stop someone from doing things to me just because they disagree with me?

Thank you all for your efforts; I have a question.

How do you know, exactly, that burner accounts contribute any less than other people? I'm serious - I want to know, because I'm a little worn out on people talking out of their asses about this.

But I feel like that stuff will still happen - just along with the rest of us plebs in the grey area. Which is going to make no one ever go there to approve of comments, keeping everyone there forever. I was not a fan of the system before, and it is very disheartening to learn it is coming back instead of some actual…

Agreed. They need a clear procedure for getting out of the grays. I posted for months (sometimes sporadically), I always posted relatively good quality posts (I check my spelling and try to stay on topic), and I sometimes even managed to get lots of recommends. I don't mind doing my time, but I need to know I'm…

And that is exactly why I stopped reading and commenting at The Huffington Post. Their comment system went to "Tie your ID to your Facebook page or you don't get to comment." Fair enough. I refuse to allow HP that much access to my personal life. That is, literally, way too close to home. That's just inviting doxxing…

"I've been a dedicated member of the site (as have many others) but have never been approved despite many upvotes and all the like."

There were more than a few of us who just gave up after a few months. There's not much point in taking the time to write an insightful and well-composed comment if no one ever sees it.

I guess I am "safe" based on being followed by Jez but for a lot of people (especially new people that have a lot to say or contribute) this is hard. I get that writers are busy writing and they do their best but if we want new voices, we do need to focus on allowing people to make posts that matter - not just the…

I agree. I think the greys should be easier to get out. Reserved for scum only. I bet there will be a surge of "following" that will help following this change.

Agreed. Perhaps could be interesting if there were an automatic starring after X number of upvotes over time, if keeping on top of commenters to move out of greys is difficult for moderators. I have been here for 3 years now, have had many upvotes, but will be in the greys come the change....

When will you be looking at more commenters to approve? I've been a dedicated member of the site (as have many others) but have never been approved despite many upvotes and all the like. I think if you switch back to this system, you have to start actively looking for new commenters to star or you have to REGULARLY…