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Please allow upvoting and downvoting

Abdul January 08, 2018 at 02:08 7750 views 46 comments Feedback
The people in this community have very strong points. I would like to at least thank them with an upvote.

Comments (46)

Akanthinos January 08, 2018 at 02:44 ¶ #141080
Please do not allow this. Upvote serves little purpose. We all know I'd upvote nearly everything SLX writes. We all know Buxtebudda would upvote nearly everything Agustino would write. And of course TimeLine would sheepishly upvote everything by Hanover, despite denying it all.
JustSomeGuy January 08, 2018 at 02:47 ¶ #141083
I'd like to voice a stern opposition to this request. This is a forum for discussion. If you like something that someone says, tell them. Discuss it with them. "Likes" and "upvotes" are completely detrimental to intelligent conversation. I have no idea why anybody would want that here.

There are plenty of social media sites to choose from, Abdul. Try Reddit, it sounds like they'll have exactly what you're looking for.
Mr Bee January 08, 2018 at 03:09 ¶ #141095
I'd have to agree with the others in the thread. The other forum had an upvote/downvote system and I never understood why it was there. Seeing that a post has a certain amount of upvotes or downvotes just means that some person liked or disliked that post for whatever reason, whether it be deserved or not. For instance, they may not like it simply because it disagrees with their own views, or like it because of the person who wrote it and not because the post itself had anything interesting to say. Not only is it not helpful to any intelligent discussion, but it can also prevent people from judging a post on its own merits. Somebody can write utter rubbish, but if enough people (for one reason or another) like it, then people are more inclined to take it seriously and vice versa.

If you want to thank the people who make good points, then you can just do so directly. And if you want to disagree with someone else, then it'd be best if you speak your mind about it instead of hiding behind a downvote. No need for a voting system and I'd imagine that people would appreciate the personal interaction far more than any vague like/dislike.
T_Clark January 08, 2018 at 03:31 ¶ #141103
Quoting JustSomeGuy
There are plenty of social media sites to choose from, Abdul. Try Reddit, it sounds like they'll have exactly what you're looking for.


I give a strong down vote for this snotty and condescending post.
T_Clark January 08, 2018 at 03:36 ¶ #141106
Quoting Abdul
The people in this community have very strong points. I would like to at least thank them with an upvote.


Sorry, I have to agree with the general direction of the posts here, if not the tone of some of them. I've never seen a situation where I thought voting helped. As one of the other posters said, if you like what someone wrote, tell them. It will make them feel good.
JustSomeGuy January 08, 2018 at 03:37 ¶ #141108
Reply to T Clark
I can't tell if you're just making a joke, but to be safe I'll clarify that I wasn't trying to be condescending; I was being completely earnest. Reddit has forums for almost every topic you could imagine, including philosophical topics, and it is all based on an upvote/downvote system. I also wasn't trying to imply that Abdul isn't welcome here, which I just realized could have been misconstrued.
I suppose I should have chosen my phrasing more carefully.
T_Clark January 08, 2018 at 03:40 ¶ #141112
Quoting JustSomeGuy
I also wasn't trying to imply that Abdul isn't welcome here, which I just realized could have been misconstrued.
I suppose I should have chosen my phrasing more carefully.


Yes, I did misunderstand. I appreciate the clarification.
Streetlight January 08, 2018 at 03:41 ¶ #141113
Quoting Akanthinos
We all know I'd upvote nearly everything SLX writes.


(Y) + 1

:P

I remember being a little put out when we took it off here, but I've come to realise that it's just with better without. It puts a stop to a weird micro-politics that detracts from the substance of posts.
Baden January 08, 2018 at 06:12 ¶ #141159
We used to have upvotes, but after some debate we got rid of them. I don't believe a majority want them back so gone they shall stay.
Noble Dust January 08, 2018 at 06:13 ¶ #141160
Reply to Baden

Neigh to upvotes
ArguingWAristotleTiff January 08, 2018 at 13:19 ¶ #141236
Quoting JustSomeGuy
If you like something that someone says, tell them.


Very wise words.
Agustino January 08, 2018 at 16:33 ¶ #141285
Quoting Akanthinos
We all know Buxtebudda would upvote nearly everything Agustino would write.

Man @Buxtebuddha, these people do seem really confused >:O
BC January 08, 2018 at 17:00 ¶ #141291
Reply to Abdul So, thank them, in words.
Hanover January 08, 2018 at 17:53 ¶ #141309
Quoting Akanthinos
And of course TimeLine would sheepishly upvote everything by Hanover, despite denying it all.


Don't you dare talk about TimeLine that way. She would never lie.
Hanover January 08, 2018 at 18:22 ¶ #141319
I think each user should be permitted to turn on or off the ability to receive up/down votes in their profile so it'll be up to the member to decide if he wants to be subject to the scrutiny of his fellow posters.

I also think we should have an auto up vote feature where it automatically sends an upvote to every post for those posters we like and just know in our heart of hearts only has upvotey things to say.
BlueBanana January 08, 2018 at 18:25 ¶ #141320
Reply to JustSomeGuy If we had the upvote function, I'd be confused whether I should upvote that comment or not use it because of my principles.
Cavacava January 08, 2018 at 18:31 ¶ #141322
In Shoutbox

Buxtebuddha January 08, 2018 at 20:51 ¶ #141367
Quoting Agustino
We all know Buxtebudda would upvote nearly everything Agustino would write.
— Akanthinos
Man Buxtebuddha, these people do seem really confused >:O


So new guy thinks we agree on everything, ay? >:O Gods I hope not, I couldn't sleep at night were that the case, ;)

~

Besides, how would a voting system even work on a small forum like this? For large subreddits, it's a necessary evil, in my opinion. The community here is so small that I don't see it necessary like bigger forums where trolling and nonsense is a far bigger issue.
Sir2u January 09, 2018 at 01:38 ¶ #141425
Just put a thank you button there.

That cannot be mistaken for likes or up-votes and it will not confuse anyone about its purpose. At least I don't think it would be confusing.
Thorongil January 09, 2018 at 21:50 ¶ #142032
I'd rather this not turn into a reddit-style forum, so I'm opposed to the request. I might be okay with only upvotes, but there definitely shouldn't be downvotes.

Quoting Agustino
Man Buxtebuddha, these people do seem really confused


If he actually read the wider forum, instead of cheerleading certain posters in the Shoutbox, he might realize that Buxe, you, and I disagree with each other quite frequently....
Jamal January 23, 2018 at 15:33 ¶ #146480
I do miss upvotes. I like to see what people are thinking and how popular certain posts and kinds of posts are. But first of all, last time I checked you couldn't get upvoting without downvoting (as far as I can recall), and secondly, voting is probably mostly used for agreement and disagreement anyway, which is not the ideal use of the feature.

I agree with those who suggest expressing approval or thanks with words. Even posts with just a (Y) are okay, within reason.
Michael January 23, 2018 at 15:37 ¶ #146481
Reply to jamalrob There was never downvoting.
Jamal January 23, 2018 at 15:38 ¶ #146482
Jamal January 23, 2018 at 15:38 ¶ #146483
But it seems most people are still against it anyway.
Michael January 23, 2018 at 15:39 ¶ #146484
Reply to jamalrob Yeah, I think the issue was with the cumulative score showing for each member. Creates a sort of "I'm better than you" hierarchy.

The poll we did actually had "if possible, get rid of likes that accrue to members but retain them for posts" as the winner.
Jamal January 23, 2018 at 15:40 ¶ #146485
Reply to Michael Ah yes, I remember now. I think I asked the developers to remove the cumulative score. Without that I think it would've been ok.
Baden January 23, 2018 at 15:43 ¶ #146486
(Apart from doing most of the work, @Michael is also the only person who remembers anything around here. Indispensable really. And worth every penny.)
Jamal January 23, 2018 at 15:46 ¶ #146487
Michael January 23, 2018 at 15:46 ¶ #146488
Reply to Baden If by "remember" you mean "able to use the search function"... ;)
Michael January 23, 2018 at 15:48 ¶ #146489
Remember that time I forgot that moses threatened to kill me?
Baden January 23, 2018 at 15:48 ¶ #146490
Reply to Michael

Who knows what I meant. Is there a search function for that?
Baden January 23, 2018 at 15:48 ¶ #146491
Michael January 23, 2018 at 15:49 ¶ #146492
Reply to Baden There's probably a search function for that.
Baden January 23, 2018 at 15:50 ¶ #146493
Reply to Michael

For what?
Baden January 23, 2018 at 15:50 ¶ #146494
*Wanders aimlessly away...*
Maw January 28, 2018 at 00:30 ¶ #147459
I would prefer an upvoting button, as was case in the old Philosophy Forum. Some topics can stretch 5 to 10, over 20 pages, and who has time to read every single post? It's easier to get a gist of (at least based on user score) the stronger arguments, or more salient points by focusing on higher rated posts. There are, undoubtedly, cons to the system, but ultimately I think it would provide a net benefit for the community.
Hanover January 28, 2018 at 17:17 ¶ #147636
The problem is that I have lackeys like Baden who will upvote everything I say to curry favor. It's more embarrassing than flattering.
Baden January 28, 2018 at 17:23 ¶ #147639
Hanover January 28, 2018 at 17:25 ¶ #147640
Reply to Baden Aren't we being rebellious.
Baden January 28, 2018 at 17:30 ¶ #147641
Reply to Hanover

Butter Chicken Masala.

(Let's see how long it takes you.)
unenlightened January 28, 2018 at 17:30 ¶ #147642
Quoting Maw
. Some topics can stretch 5 to 10, over 20 pages, and who has time to read every single post?


The solution there is to get your definitive analysis in early, and then let the class discussion circle around it until the penny drops. I mean, reading 20 pages? That's so 20th century.
Hanover January 28, 2018 at 17:35 ¶ #147644
Reply to Baden I got nothing. Help a slow brother out.
Baden January 28, 2018 at 17:37 ¶ #147645
Reply to Hanover

Un serendipitously gave you all you need. (And, no, it wasn't a conspiracy.)
Hanover January 28, 2018 at 17:42 ¶ #147646
Reply to Baden Still at a loss, but a sudden hankering for the Sunday Indian buffet has overwhelmed me. I might head over there if the boy's up for it. Thumbs up for the suggestion.
Baden January 28, 2018 at 17:43 ¶ #147647