A Smite-Free Week ...Any takers?

[amZo]

I was smited for a general well deserved insult towards socialists who include the Nazis, the Khmer Rouge, North Korea, and the Soviets. So I don't put a lot of weight or rationality to most smites, but the applauses I've clearly deserved! 

[Jamie D]

Kia Ora Jamie,

Even though 'race' did not enter my mind when starting this thread, all the same you do make a good point...

Being discriminated against(trans-people in general) does not stop trans-people from discriminating against others, especially for those who have grown up in an environment where racism is/was a common practice...

However, it's quite possible some of the smites were racially motivated but I don't think the vast majority were ...

Being on the receiving end of prejudice and discrimination(the shoe being on the other foot so to speak) does not necessarily eliminate the receiver's deeply held/ingrained and *somewhat misguided* racist beliefs...

However, this thread is not about race issues...It's about smiting and its fall out effects...But good point anyway...

Metta Anatta

Well, the fall out effects include further marginalizing members who already have several strikes against them, in terms of prejudice.  Smites are, for the most part, hateful.  Hate is the antithesis of "support."

Your point is well taken.

[amZo]

Well, the fall out effects include further marginalizing members who already have several strikes against them, in terms of prejudice.  Smites are, for the most part, hateful.  Hate is the antithesis of "support."

Your point is well taken.

Like you, I like Brandon, so if it's some other reason he's up to nearly 20 smites or so at this point, I'm curious to know what it is. I think you're onto something though.

[Jamie D]

Racial minority, devout, from a broken home, is ostracized by family and at school, and is profoundly dysphoric.

25 smites and several others that have been taken off the record.  He's a genuinely nice young man, if you take the time to get to know him.

[Lauren5]

I only smited once because of what someone said was truly offensive and they refused to apologise for it. So I'm down as a non-smiter.
I try to see the good in everyone. For most people, it exists. In those where it has trouble coming out, they tend to be fragile and need some nurturing, rather than criticism.

[Jennygirl]

Reposting the idea to be able to erase someone's smite by donating a +rep point of your own!

I would for sure use that!

[930310]

Reposting the idea to be able to erase someone's smite by donating a +rep point of your own!

I would for sure use that!

I agree, that would be a nice idea/gesture.

[Jennygirl]

Oversmiting could be taken care of by general users instead of mods having to step in. It would be a great success!

The fact that smites stay visible underneath the avatar in people's public posts is what irks me most. It's a bit like defaming someone for all to see- even people who aren't registered users of the site!

It also just sucks how there's absolutely no way for one to "redeem" themselves besides moderator intervention. If it was possible to erase the smite by good doing (aka receiving positive or donated rep) it would actually encourage the person to fix whatever problem (if there even was one). As it stands now, it's a permanent stain.

[930310]

Oversmiting could be taken care of by general users instead of mods having to step in. It would be a great success!

The fact that smites stay visible underneath the avatar in people's public posts is what irks me most. It's a bit like defaming someone for all to see- even people who aren't registered users of the site!

It also just sucks how there's absolutely no way for one to "redeem" themselves besides moderator intervention. If it was possible to erase the smite by good doing (aka receiving positive or donated rep) it would actually encourage the person to fix whatever problem (if there even was one). As it stands now, it's a permanent stain.

When I see someone with a smite I don't really pay attention to the number of applauds they've received. If for example you Jenny had +67/-2 or so I would'nt pay that much attention to the vast number of applauds since the smites are so much worse than the applauds. It feels like one smite equals 40 or so applauds. I don't know why I reason like this, maybe as you say it's a needle in the eye seeing the negative points.

[randomdude5]

I've never smited anyone anyways. (On this account or my old one that I had to delete!)

I do see all the smiting Brandon gets though, and I do think that while some of them might have been deserved, a lot of them weren't really. People do really seem to sometimes just look for a reason to smite him.

I also dislike the fact that you are forever stuck with that negative under your name...

I think a better system would be only 1 rating that starts at 0, goes down if you get smited, but goes back up if you get positive rep.

[Jennygirl]

I think a better system would be only 1 rating that starts at 0, goes down if you get smited, but goes back up if you get positive rep.

Yes! It makes so much sense on so many levels

[Sephirah]

Yes! It makes so much sense on so many levels

That actually used to be the system used back when I joined. And is very possible to do.

[Jennygirl]

That actually used to be the system used back when I joined. And is very possible to do.

Well first of all that is great to hear

Secondly, I am sure there was a reason it was changed to the current way. Any idea why?

[930310]

That actually used to be the system used back when I joined. And is very possible to do.

It sounds like that actually would be the best solution to our current problem with "unfair" smites and a skewed rating system.

[ThePhoenix]

I've heard a lot of criticism of the reputation system in this thread and others.  I obviously am not a fan of it.  But so far I have never heard anyone articulate a benefit to having it.  So what is the benefit to having it at all?  If there is none, then why do we have it?

[Nero]

I've heard a lot of criticism of the reputation system in this thread and others.  I obviously am not a fan of it.  But so far I have never heard anyone articulate a benefit to having it.  So what is the benefit to having it at all?  If there is none, then why do we have it?

One benefit is the ability to applaud good posts. I like that and use it a decent amount. I'm not sure 'reputation' is the best name, however.

[930310]

I've heard a lot of criticism of the reputation system in this thread and others.  I obviously am not a fan of it.  But so far I have never heard anyone articulate a benefit to having it.  So what is the benefit to having it at all?  If there is none, then why do we have it?

One benefit that could be implied is that the reputation points will show if a user is helpful or not. I can't think of any other ones right now.

[Ltl89]

I don't like smites because they tend to hurt people.  In the past, I received one and it made me feel bad.  Looking back it's sort of a whatever situation, bt at the time it hurt.  It didn't help that it came at the worst time when I was severely depressed.  What upsets me more is critical pms.  I've received messages that are handed out with the sole purpose of criticizing or insulting me.  I'll never report or block someone because that's not who I am and we all need support, but that's annoying when it happens.  At the very least, it's a very small portion of the pms I get, so it's fine. 

As for the reputation system, I used to get political about it and share my views on the way the site is run, but in the end my feelings are irrelevant.  Susan likes it and it's her forum.  She can do as she sees fit and run her site in the way she wants.  I respect that.

In any case, I do wish people were less smite happy and avoided making snarky/insulting comments to each other.  It's a support forum and we should be as friendly as possible.  It's okay to get passionate about something or disagree, but there is no need to tear down the other person.  We should all strive to get along as best we can.

[amZo]

When I see someone with a smite I don't really pay attention to the number of applauds they've received. If for example you Jenny had +67/-2 or so I would'nt pay that much attention to the vast number of applauds since the smites are so much worse than the applauds. It feels like one smite equals 40 or so applauds. I don't know why I reason like this, maybe as you say it's a needle in the eye seeing the negative points.

Wow, I need 39 more applauds with no more smites to get that good!

The new member 'Amber1964' was someone I found very sincere and helpful, but although she was a newbie to this forum, she certainly wasn't a newbie to transition. She had fully transitioned and was active in the community, but she was blunt in her honesty. I didn't find her views objectionable at all, but she was drummed out of here in no time once the first few smites came. Anyway, seemed like a case of oversensitivity to me.

I like that we can review what brought about one's smite. Many are based on biases we all carry around with us. I think on balance it's an okay system.

Just an FYI, the following is my routine for each smite I receive here at Susan's...

[930310]

Wow, I need 39 more applauds with no more smites to get that good!

The new member 'Amber1964' was someone I found very sincere and helpful, but although she was a newbie to this forum, she certainly wasn't a newbie to transition. She had fully transitioned and was active in the community, but she was blunt in her honesty. I didn't find her views objectionable at all, but she was drummed out of here in no time once the first few smites came. Anyway, seemed like a case of oversensitivity to me.

I like that we can review what brought about one's smite. Many are based on biases we all carry around with us. I think on balance it's an okay system.

Just an FYI, the following is my routine for each smite I receive here at Susan's...

Jim Carrey at his best!