I don't see why we can't keep the thumbs-up and dispense with the smite. But I gather that the site works on a package system, so we can't pick and choose features.

Quote from: Laura Squirrel on March 09, 2014, 03:35:14 PM

Quote from: FA on March 09, 2014, 03:23:27 PM
It certainly does. This has actually caused some serious feuds on here, all started by a smite. I think part of the issue is that long after the incident the person still sees that smite by their name. Makes it harder to forget the incident and move on.

I see your point but I think a lot of the negativity over a smite is the "smite-ee" having a massive case of severe overreaction. Is it really THAT big of a deal?

In my opinion, it isn't.

If people give me a thumbs up, then that's cool.

If people smite me...meh....so what?

Life goes on...The Dude abides. (and the Squirrel goes merrily along)

Yeah, I had smites on here years ago before the system was taken off completely and put back on. I didn't mind them. I think I pmed the person to apologize a few times. But we've had several members really upset over a smite. And guess who hears about it? 

Quote from: Anatta on March 09, 2014, 03:14:06 PM
Beneficial aspects of smiting = perhaps a feeling of smug satisfaction for the smiter(which is short lived)... Negative aspects = seeds for grudge bearing material..."Tit for tat" mentality festers and grows...

Don't get me wrong, Anatta. I have never and hope never to smite anyone.

The damaging impact of negative corrective feedback is well-established in the research literature. It has been quite rightly removed from most western education systems. And long after it should have been, IMHO.

However, decisions should always be formed by considering a balance of views. This one struck me as one of the more elegant defenses of a more balanced position. I brought it forward for discussion's sake.

Quote from: JaimeD on March 09, 2014, 03:41:20 PM
A negative smite(numerous smites especially) can lull a potential smiter into reading more than what is there in a post simply to look for something offensive and that can lead to more smites and more hard feelings when on its own, a post may not really be smite worthy. That is what I think is happening with Brandon and its a shame, people need to take into account how he was raised and what influences him on a daily basis irl.

You make a valid point but I don't really think it is fair when someone with an admittedly narrow worldview makes broad stroke types of statements and then whines when someone smites them for it. I think the only way this whole issue can be resolved is if the whole 'reputation' system were discontinued altogether.

"Smite me oh mighty smiter".

Kia Ora,

Please remember how this thread came about, so no emotional temper tantrums and that's an order


I'm off to do a wasp job....No peace for the wicked.....

Metta Anatta

Personally I see no benefits with the reputation system either. The best thing would be to have it removed since the amount of applauses and smites doesn't represent the amount of good/helpful or bad/non-contributing posts on this forum anyway.
The chances that you'll get a +/-1 depends heavily on the person you reply to. Some people hand out reputation all the time while others never/seldom does it.

Quote from: 930310 on March 09, 2014, 03:58:35 PM
Personally I see no benefits with the reputation system either. The best thing would be to have it removed since the amount of applauses and smites doesn't represent the amount of good/helpful or bad/non-contributing posts on this forum anyway.
The chances that you'll get a +/-1 depends heavily on the person you reply to. Some people hand out reputation all the time while others never/seldom does it.

I do it if someone says something that is on-point, amusing, entertaining or (on the other side of the coin), just plain wrong.

Some of the smites directed at Brandon were rooted in racism and/or ethnocentricity.

We should walk a mile in the other person's shoes before we pass judgement.

And the no smite clock has to be reset now...

  I have never and will never give a smite ,everyone here has a right to their own opinion on a subject period.If a person does not agree with post, just move on, life is to short to spend  on a topic that is subject to many forms of interpretation. There are no winners in an argument.

Quote from: FA on March 09, 2014, 03:23:27 PM
It certainly does. This has actually caused some serious feuds on here, all started by a smite. I think part of the issue is that long after the incident the person still sees that smite by their name. Makes it harder to forget the incident and move on.

So why do we have them at all?  I honestly don't know what benefit the reputation system is perceived to have. 

I have never used smites, I think they're so dumb, even if you don't like that person..

Quote from: Arch on March 09, 2014, 03:46:36 PM
I don't see why we can't keep the thumbs-up and dispense with the smite. But I gather that the site works on a package system, so we can't pick and choose features.

Actually, it's relatively easy with SMF to remove the option to smite someone and just leave the option to applaud. Just requires removing information from a specific field.

What do you think of the current amount of applauds/smites?
I've seen some forums and there some users have +5000 or so. The amount of applauds/smites on this forum seems to be a bit low. I have read some very good comments on Susans and most often they are unapplauded. I can't upvote everyone myself either because that would look very weird on my stats/I'd maybe get banned.

I would say if you like someone's post, and it resonates with you, and it's worthy of an applaud, then do so. It might make the person feel just that little bit better about themselves. Don't worry so much about how often you do it. After all, there are a lot of wonderful people here, who regularly contribute a whole heap of fantastic input. No reason you can't show your appreciation for whatever you find which personally stands out to you, hon. I highly doubt you would get banned for showing more than one person how much their posts meant to you.

Applauding someone for putting down someone else, or taking a side-swipe at another member... well, that's something different. But as a general rule of thumb, if you genuinely enjoyed someone's post and feel it's worthy of an applaud, then applaud away.

There are folks who use the reputation system more than others. I use it myself when I'm in the mood, or when something speaks to me. I don't think a post has to be something truly spectacular and crafted in a manner the finest wordsmiths would go into paroxysms of joy over. Sometimes it can just be a way of saying "I like what you wrote and agree with you", without having to make a post saying such.

I have yet to smite someone, and the points made here and a post Jill F made, are definitely something I will be thinking about before I ever do.  These are fantastic points that I am all for.

Quote from: Sephirah on March 10, 2014, 12:27:15 PM
....

There are folks who use the reputation system more than others. I use it myself when I'm in the mood, or when something speaks to me. I don't think a post has to be something truly spectacular and crafted in a manner the finest wordsmiths would go into paroxysms of joy over. Sometimes it can just be a way of saying "I like what you wrote and agree with you", without having to make a post saying such.

That's just what I thought too. Thanks for clearing things up.

Quote from: Jamie D on March 09, 2014, 04:22:45 PM
Some of the smites directed at Brandon were rooted in racism and/or ethnocentricity.

We should walk a mile in the other person's shoes before we pass judgement.

I just want to say this and I will try my best to just ignore this topic and how it relates to this person, in particular. I am not a racist. I utterly despise racism with every fiber of my being. I think, if anything, Brandon is guilty of playing the race card because HE is the one that always brings race into the mix.

Okay...I said what I had to say on this subject...I'm done with this.

Quote from: Jamie D on March 09, 2014, 04:22:45 PM
Some of the smites directed at Brandon were rooted in racism and/or ethnocentricity.

We should walk a mile in the other person's shoes before we pass judgement.

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