Reputation Abuse

[A Former User]

I’m not pointing fingers, and I’m not calling anyone out. But I feel like big topics like this need to be addressed before we start the new year right. It’s something we’ve all seen at some point, and it’s important that we highlight it since clearly not everyone sees the purpose of reputation.

So let me make it clear.

The rules explicitly state: ”Use the reputation system responsibly. Votes should reflect the quality of the message content. Do not ask for votes or engage in reputation farming.” The reputation feature is here to basically “vote” that you like the content on a post. And if you don’t like it, you downvote. Simple.

Don’t downvote…
to spite someone
because you hate someone
to make sure someone doesn’t have more rep than you

Don’t upvote…
because you’re asked to
to spite someone else
to make someone achieve a certain number

The reputation system was supposed to be a measurement on how much good content someone’s posted. It’s been rigged and messed up now, and I feel that it’s been very unfair to those who are earning their reputation the correct way. There are some really amazing people on this forum, but they aren’t even on the top 20 highest reputation. I respect those who haven’t asked for “rep” because there’s a real social reputation. Like someone having a reputation for being funny or kind. And the reputation system was supposed to reflect that. But it no longer does.

Obviously we can’t just un-rig the system, but that’s where personal responsibility comes into play here. Like the rules say, “Use the reputation system responsibly.” Just because you can take advantage of something, doesn’t mean you should. Because when one person does, who’s stopping other people from jumping on that bandwagon? Then it makes things unfair for those who don’t participate.

In the past, members of the community have actually left or had to recreate accounts because they were downvote-bombed. And people still kept downvoting them out of spite. I think that’s absolutely despicable to anyone, even if you don’t like someone. I’ve actually seen someone get downvoted 4 times on one post for saying “Thank you.” If you don’t like someone, downvoting every single thing they say doesn’t make them a nicer person, nor does it encourage someone to change their ways. That’s just the facts. Only downvote the content you don’t like.

Naturally we see votes and numbers labeled on us as negative or positive. It’s like when you got a smiley face sticker as a kid and people would count up who got the most. That’s why people create these challenges and competitions. It just feels good to win. But that’s where I have to say, it’s not a competition. It’s not the same affirmation when you gain rep for a nice post as it is when you ask for an upvote. I think the rep system was also meant to encourage people to be kind so they can be rewarded with a “high reputation,” so when you ask for votes, where’s the motivation? Maybe you are only saying something nice to someone to gain reputation, but maybe that’s the seed that people need to start being kind. I don’t recommend you doing something just to gain rep, but maybe that little upvote is the affirmation someone needs to turn to generosity and kindness. So, I don’t blame people for caring so much about a digital reputation point system. But let me remind you, being kind should have other rewards. Like seeing the good impact you see in someone else, I believe, is more rewarding than anything.

[A Former User]

@Duchess ummmmm i can never read thatt😭

[finn.in.outer.space.]

This needed to be said ty

[A Former User]

@ur_local_simp sorry but i cant either- i get way to distracted by other things

[A Former User]

Knox Welp.

[A Former User]

Knox sammee😭

[Duncan]

@ur_local_simp Knox Can you two at least try to read it? This is something that needs to be seen.

[Cameron]

I Cameron vow to never rep farm.

[A Former User]

Duncan
I read the first part and I agree with it

[A Former User]

Cameron yep, thats a slay

[zofya406]

I, zofya406, solemnly swear to never farm reputation ever again.

[A Former User]

@Duchess I read like 40% got distracted -

I under stand it and I agree

[Cameron]

zofya406 slayy

[Cameron]

i have ADHD and i read the whole thing

[A Former User]

Cameron good for you 👍

[A Former User]

@Duchess for people who don’t wanna read the whole thing here’s a tl;dr:
use the reputation system responsibly; don’t downvote someone just because you despise them, upvote someone just because they kindly asked to do it and don’t ask for a rep boost yourself

[A Former User]

@merope-temp-account thank you

[finn.in.outer.space.]

TL;DR Use rep responsibly and to actually show your opinion

[A Former User]

Duncan no i cant rn😭

[A Former User]

Duncan im tryingggg