Changes Are Coming to GGN

Sometimes we are faced with changes. We don’t always have a say in them. We aren’t always happy with them. They don’t always seem fair, but that’s life. We have to deal with them.

Today SB Nation launches its new Coral comment system here on Gang Green Nation. I could use this space talking about how exciting this is and how many new features this system has, but let’s be real. That would be totally tone deaf and out of touch.

The reception to the new system has been frosty both here on Gang Green Nation and across SB Nation. I get it. I really do.

I’m here every day. I’ve been here for a long time. You’ve been here too. GGN has become an important part of my life and an important part of many of your lives.

I’m honored by the numbers of people who view this as more than just a website. When somebody tweets, “Gang Green Nation is such a stupid site,” they really mean I have written something dumb, but you don’t take it that way. You take it like you are being personally attacked. You believe you are Gang Green Nation.

You are right.

I think the reason the reaction to the new comment system has been so powerful is you don’t think about this as just a website. This is your home, your online home. Now while you were out somebody redecorated and removed a bunch of the things you love about your home without consulting you.

I’m a big believer in the phrase, “Control the things you can control.” In life there are many things we simply cannot control. Any Jets fan realizes that. We see horrible Draft picks, thoughtless cap management, and questionable hires.

Just we have no say over what the Jets do, we can’t control the decisions made over technology such as changes to the commenting system. This isn’t my area of expertise. My views on it were not asked. Part of the reason I enjoy being part of SB Nation is I can write without needing to spend my time focused on the technological side of building a website.

I don’t have much say on the commenting system. Thus I won’t make promises to you that I can’t keep.

Here are the things I can control which I will promise you.

1. We are going to keep producing great content on this website.
2. We are going to work within the new system with anybody who wants to comment here to maintain the high level of discussion we have cultivated through the years.
3. If you come to me with thoughts or ideas on the new system, I will make sure people at SB Nation hear them.

If I sat here today and told you nothing would be different, that would be a lie. Things change, and we are undergoing a change here.

The important things don’t need to change, however.

This didn’t become a great website because of commenting technology. It became a great website because of you. It will remain a great website because of you regardless on what the commenting system looks like.

Thank you all for making it so special here. I hope to see you around in our new living space.