How to make points the wrong way.
After a short 3 week stint on ATS I have come to a few conclusions.
1. Not many people here really want your opinion.
Many is a relative term. A few hundred will probably read what you've written, most will read the first line and go to the next post. If you've
written something really good or at least extreme you might get a star or a scathing reply informing you of what a loser you are. Most of these people
don't care if this hurts feelings or offends. They are counting on it. These are folks I like to call the Point Trolls -PTs
2. Your post or thread has been done before unless it is breaking news.
I did searches on this thread before I started it but I'd bet cash it is redundant. I have a sneaking suspicion that many of the really successful
posters look up old threads that got lots of points and just rewrite them with a more updated spin ...........or just a new date. Oh yes, I suspect
the PTs are good at that. I have no proof but it is a conspiracy site.
3. Fastest way to make points is to p!$$ people off.
This video link will give a few basics applicable to any forum site.
tw.youtube.com...
I don't recommend you do it but if you are Jonesing for points it seems to be the most effective option and what I recommend won't matter. Most of
you won't listen past the first line. You'd better if you know what's good for you. I know more than you so don't bother thinking. Just do what I
say.
(See, you got that little emotional "How dare he?" thing going on.)
It works. It's just underhanded and cheap. All of the good PTs do it.
4.You MUST have an avatar that shows that you are edgy and offensive but sexy/cool/hardcore/desireable/inscrutable. Being offensive is extremely
important here. Put borderline rule breaking imagery in there that the moderators will let slide. Hopefully you can find one that at least 2 other
members have and then make it bigger and cooler. That adds envy and righteous indignation. If you can portray yourself as a religious figure or deride
somebodys religion/politics /culture then you are on the way to being a top shelf PT.
Oh yeah, add a signature that makes people want to track you down and run you over with a garbage truck. That gets you stars no matter what you
actually post.
Summary:
Hit those hot buttons and belittle the competition. Let them know that you are omnipotent and ultra smart. You've got the inside track,all of the
answers, and the only REAL opinions. The rest are wasting time and bandwidth. Losers.
(OK. All of the stuff above was sarcasm. No I really don't encourage that behavior. I was attempting to make a point with reverse psychology.)
OK, maybe theres a better way.
Seriously?
What are you? Amish? (Yes, more sarcasm.)
A better way? You really want to know? Boy scout stuff here. Nice guy, be friendly, get along stuff.....? Can you stomach not being on the ragged
cutting edge of offensiveness and rampant detatched coolness? Will you be able to live with yourself if you aren't the ultimate iconoclast?
OK but it is pretty mundane. You might be too important to pull it off.
Here goes - Be serious but not too serious. There are a lot of intelligent, thoughtful people here. A lot of them are very funny as well. Look for
them. Correspond with them and think before you type. If you have the burning desire to start a post with 4 letter words then that's probably what
they want you to do. Don't play somebody elses game.
If you want to start a thread, search first and then do some research. Write on things you know or are really interested in. You might not get huge
points but you will find others who you can identify with because you share interests. Some of them might even learn something from what you wrote. It
will be a better experience in the long run.
Oh yeah, be polite, be sarcastic, be honest but have some class. It goes a long way.
Aaaand ... take all advice with a grain of salt - especially mine - I'm just a new guy with another opinion. (And apparently a bad attitude to boot.
One of my friends from this site just told me to be nice in the nicest of ways so I did a bit more editing. You were right. Thanks SD)
It's not so bad. Usually I'm pretty positive. Sometimes ya just gotta rant.
Avoid the PTs. Have fun.
Badgerprints
[edit on 28-11-2008 by badgerprints]
[edit on 28-11-2008 by badgerprints]