As stated by siblings, there's a specific reason it's called that. But they used to all have open comments sections. They didn't start shutting down replies for

As stated by siblings, there's a specific reason it's called that. But they used to all have open comments sections. They didn't start shutting down replies for articles because of civil disagreements. Generally they're shuttered based on the expectation, in turn based on experience, that people will be absolutely fucking horrible in the comments. That's not always the case (comments may just be pointless), but most of the time it is -- eg, what's the point of allowing comments on, say, a Nick Cohen piece when a large % of those will just be vicious personal attacks on the writer? Shuttering is a blunt instrument, but why go through the hassle?