Anonymousness v animosity?

[Garf]

I'm with Doug on this one


Couldn't give a toss one way or the other. The moment we start having to define what is and isnt a justified reason for red blobbing is the moment we really need to think about how seriously we are taking it.

Who cares.

[KimH]

Originally Posted by tom

Why have the system at all?

It *can* be used as a method of giving people feedback on what they write. Anonymity *can* serve a valuable function in permitting that.

However, the system can be - and widely seems to be - misused (as per Bren's examples) and sometimes seems to degenerate into a popularity contest or petty, vindictive personal point scoring and even on one occasion threats (that's where I'd agree with the 'cowardly' tag).

I'd have to agree with Doug. People take it much too seriously. How many posts have we seen about red or green blobs since the system was introduced? How many people have we seen getting upset about it? Does it actually add anything to YD?

While the rep system is there I'll use it, but I think it would be beneficial to everyone if the damn thing was just switched off.

I agree with Tom and Doug on this one.

I also feel that the reputation display on posts can be very misleading especially to new members. Some of the "big hitters" seem to have acquired their status either by posting reams of drivel or got them in an incestuous exchange of greenies between mates, which says nothing about their personal ability to offer sound advice.

I generally tend to ignore it but there does seem to be a bit of an edge on the forum since this was introduced. I got a red blob a while ago anonymously after a genuine non-contentious posting where I was just trying to offer a helpful opinion. Had I been more sensitive it may well have put me off posting for a while which is not in keeping with the ethos of YD.

[aclivity]

Originally Posted by Bren Tierney

Bren: I think using the term 'artist', when in conjunction with either Tracy Emin or Damien Hurst, is to lend them a gravitas and importance they simply do not deserve and haven't achieved. [again, personal opinion]

[Bren's rep file then contains a red blob purely because the person awarding it likes the 'work' of the two pseuds mentioned; but perhaps lacks the sand to say so - and why? - in the thread at the time]

'sfunny you should mention Damien Hirst in this debate ... or maybe it was intentional ... because other than slicing things up in tanks he's also had a series of 'works' that I think are collectively called the 'Spot' paintings, which are made up of ... blobs of colours! One was even supposed to land on Mars http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertain...ts/2522417.stm

[Dominic]

I do lean towards "It's a pointless feature", but since it's here, I agree with MD -

Sometimes, you want to point out that you disagree with something, WITHOUT descending into a long & inolved argument or spoiling the thread. Red blobs serve the second purpose, anonymous reds serve the first.

There's also the fact that some people might feel too intimidated to award a red if it were signed, which would lead to nothing but greens being awarded, which would make the whole system pointless.

So far, AFAIR, I've awarded one red, which I signed. But if the system must exist, it should exist in its current form. And anonymous should mean anonymous, not anonymous until you ask the admin.

But in the end, who really cares? Every anonymous red I've been awarded so far has made me laugh.

I think some folk need to get outside a bit more into the real world...............
If getting red blobs is their biggest worry then I reckon they are either supremely lucky in their personal circumstances or need to up their medication

[Fiji Dave]

Bren,

is there a way to automatically add the name of the person sending rep?
The poll at the moment shows 80% of people seem to be against anonymity, would this be enough to instigate a change in YD policy so that all rep posts are signed? After all, every post we send to one of the forums has our name plastered across the top, there's no anonymity possible there so personally I can't see any argument for allowing the rep system to be anonymous.

Cheers
Dave

EDIT - Doh! just seen the other Official Poll on whether it stays or goes, so feel free to ignore my question above.

[Finless]

Originally Posted by KimH

I agree with Tom and Doug on this one.

I also feel that the reputation display on posts can be very misleading especially to new members. Some of the "big hitters" seem to have acquired their status either by posting reams of drivel or got them in an incestuous exchange of greenies between mates, which says nothing about their personal ability to offer sound advice.

That is a little harsh - if you only come onto YD to check out diving related topics fair enough. However (this has already been covered recently) there are always a number of amusing posts to join in with and have a laugh about - not of any interest to you then why bother going into the sections (eg Non Diving Posts) where the drivel occurs. Quite a large number of people (me included) treat YD as another dive club to which I am a member - I definitely have a laugh and a joke witht the members of my "real club" so I don't see why I/we should be any different on YD? IMO, yours is a bit of a Mary Whitehouse attitude - looking for the "dirty programs" so she could complain about them. I'm not sure about the incestuous green blobbing as you have to spread the blobs around and can't keep giving them to the same person. However, there is some validity to have blobs only related to diving subjects and good advice.

I generally tend to ignore it but there does seem to be a bit of an edge on the forum since this was introduced. I got a red blob a while ago anonymously after a genuine non-contentious posting where I was just trying to offer a helpful opinion. Had I been more sensitive it may well have put me off posting for a while which is not in keeping with the ethos of YD.

I suspect you are right. Having heard the various arguements thus far I think I will change my vote to say anonymous blobbing should be allowed ALTHOUGH it would be nice if a reason is given for the blob - even if it is "you drivel too much".

[Fathoms Down]

Originally Posted by Finless

However (this has already been covered recently) there are always a number of amusing posts to join in with and have a laugh about - not of any interest to you then why bother going into the sections (eg Non Diving Posts) where the drivel occurs. Quite a large number of people (me included) treat YD as another dive club to which I am a member - I definitely have a laugh and a joke witht the members of my "real club" so I don't see why I/we should be any different on YD?

I think your post has just highlighted an interesting point; people use the rep system for different reasons.

The way the system currently stands is that it it for if you approve or disapprove of a point and people seem to be taking it personally, awarding rep for things they find funny and taking it personally when they get red blobbed. As a club system this throws up problems as people give possitive rep to their friends (which is nice) but that unbalances the system as it gives people a high rep for posting jokes, helping them out at the weekend, etc.

So given the choice, I'd rather let people rep anonymously if they wish to do so or can the entire system as it doesn't seem to be doing as intended and getting people's backs up. YD doesn't need something to force its members appart.

[Finless]

I wish I'd never started this poll now - "boredom, you make me do some silly things".

I don't suppose the Alien Admins are worried one way or the other over my approbation but FWIW I support whatever you decide to do with the blobs.

As already stated by many, it isn't that important and I was only hoping to get some more humerous drivel on the go to keep me amused.

I will in future.



NOT!

[Garf]

Now, you are aware we have that in black and white yes?