A great addition to ATS

a reply to: ArMaP

Like I said, people will abuse it. Everything is abused. And I could certainly see that abuse happening here.

And yes, this is supposed to be a discussion forum, but there seems to be far too little of that going on. The left and right are sides of the same coin here, each extreme outright refusing to listen to the other side. There is some truth in everything. That is what we should all be seeking out. Not vilifying our opponents at all costs.

a reply to: chelsdh

I listen to the other side, they just never make sense. In the rare time they do, I give a star and tell that person I agree.

a reply to: xuenchen

I don't hide in a corner. I simply don't want to waste time and effort when far too many people aren't interested in finding common ground. But maybe that is the crux, people don't want to find common ground, they want their views to be accepted and they want to be right.
That is not to say that there isn't genuine exchanges happening here, but it seems to be flooded with hate and "I'm right, you're wrong".

originally posted by: underwerks
I say go for it. Downvoting allows forum gangs to deligitimize comments and certain points of view.

It would run off what little opposition to right wing groupthink there is on this forum. The transformation to the borg will be complete.

Many who were anti-Trump until they gave him a chance. Now suddenly it's groupthink to you.

a reply to: LSU2018

THAT is what I'm talking about. Sometimes we can't agree, but there is an awful lot of hate that gets spewed in the process.
2020 has been an interesting year. At a macro and micro scale there have been lots of changes. But all the negativity that people throw out will only beget more negativity. Notice, I didn't say it's been a "horrible" year, because when we label it as such, it will become that thing. Words have power, thought has power. And now I kinda got off topic, but the point is, we don't have to berate and name call people just because we don't agree with them. We can't cancel everyone we don't agree with, and unfortunately, I see that happening here, based on people sharing their thoughts. And maybe my idea of a down vote system is like canceling, perhaps. So maybe I should rethink my though process.

a reply to: LSU2018

Many who were anti-Trump until they gave him a chance.

I'm gonna go ahead and say that I was one of those people. And that will put a label on me, and some people will dismiss me because of that. Their loss. I have a lot to offer in way of discussion (I think, could be wrong though).

a reply to: Subaeruginosa

No, unfortunately not. But I respect that and it's ok that the majority of the replies disagree with my idea. It shows that it isn't a popular idea. It is a form of engagement.

a reply to: chelsdh

All I want is for people to open their eyes so in the rare moment some do, I don't mind patting them on the back. Even the ones farther left than Pelosi.

originally posted by: chelsdh
a reply to: LSU2018

Many who were anti-Trump until they gave him a chance.

I'm gonna go ahead and say that I was one of those people. And that will put a label on me, and some people will dismiss me because of that. Their loss. I have a lot to offer in way of discussion (I think, could be wrong though).

I'm glad you opened up and succumbed and gave him a chance. I've been a Conservative since I became interested in politics when I turned 21 in 2000 and I can tell you right now that if the other side had a platform that I liked, I'd vote for them. I don't care about party, I care about platform. Could there really be people out there who hate seeing the country excel? I suppose, but I would assume that they aren't happy unless they have something to be pissed off about. I'll also admit that what I saw out of Jim Webb in the first DNC debate in 2015, I liked what I heard. Unfortunately he had the balls to say that all lives mattered over just black lives and it cost him. He never made another debate. He was an old school democrat though, so his views were on par with the same views the Clinton's had in the 90's. I can't say I would have voted for him over Trump (who got my attention when he called out the problems at our border), but at least he was sane.

a reply to: LSU2018

I registered as a Democrat when I turned 18, 2003. Why? Because I was taught (via the school system, not my parents, who never really discussed political stuff, and I never heard them rail against anyone in politics) that was the party for the people. And actually, now that I think about it, it had more to do with a report I was assigned on JFK in the 4th grade. He seemed like a good president, he cared about the people, he supported the Civil Rights movement. I remember being proud of him for that alone. That report had a big impact on me. However, my name was withdrawn from the party after the last election.

a reply to: chelsdh

That's what happened, people were using it as a tool to make other people look bad, anonymously.

originally posted by: chelsdh
But maybe that is the crux, people don't want to find common ground, they want their views to be accepted and they want to be right.

That's what I call the "Facebook syndrome".

Facebook, by allowing only positive feedback (like we do) but also by allowing people to remove the answers they don't like, created an environment where people only see positive things about them, negative things or different opinions can easily be deleted, so people get a perfect "wall", only with people supporting their opinions. People get used to that and expect everyone to accept their opinions as absolute truth, so they react with some violence against people that try to show that there are other possibilities or, even worse, show that they are wrong.

a reply to: chelsdh

Looks like you are commenting in this topic !!👍

Great. See it works 👍

In contrast, which post(s) would you have "down-thumbed" and why ?😎

a reply to: xuenchen

What got me thinking on this idea is a thread in which one member kept stating her opinion regarding the movie "Cuties". She wasn't defending it, per say, but she was making a point that the behavior in the movie has been accepted (or seems to have been, I should say) via other avenues. The many platforms that are rife with the same images- IG, Tik Tok, Snap Chat, some dance competitions, and some beauty pageants. She isn't wrong. She wasn't saying it is ok or acceptable, but highlighting that everyone lost their minds over this movie. I think it is over due outrage. I think it has been building, and rightly so. I am glad that the movie is bringing to the forefront. But far too many people were writing her off as condoning the behavior, which she wasn't. I read her responses as "why is this any different from xy&z?" The thing is, in a lot of ways, it isn't any different. The same creeps who will watch that movie for self pleasure are the same creeps who watch these kids who think it is fun and cute to make videos of themselves dancing in the same manner that the movie shows. What does make it different is that it is being offered by a company that should distance itself from such garbage. Though, the same platforms that allow this content to be filmed and streamed on the micro scale (meaning individual videos) need to be held accountable for what they allow and encourage. IG will take down accounts that "violate the T&C" because they promote Trump, or question whether covid was manipulated in the lab, but accounts of a woman talking about pimping out her toddler isn't in violation?

But I digress, I just would like to down vote people who launch personal attacks because they won't actually listen to the poster's words, and refuse to think "maybe the way I am reading this isn't how the poster intended it". We all do that. We often think we know exactly what someone means, and often we are missing a part of it. At least, I know I am guilty of that at times.

a reply to: ArMaP

I think you nailed it on the head and articulated what I couldn't. Thank you.

a reply to: chelsdh

At first I thought this thread was all about me. lol

a reply to: carsforkids

Haha, sorry, nope. I don't have anyone here that I have a beef with, and even if I did, I wouldn't want to downvote someone based on past interactions with them that left me sour. And as far as I recall, I haven't had a heated exchange with you. I only had a semi-unpleasant exchange with one poster here, years ago, and I think that person was banned quickly after he/she created the account, so it was likely a troll anyway. The fact that I can even recall it shows that I don't develop antagonistic feelings towards y'all. I really enjoy it here.

a reply to: chelsdh

Haha, sorry, nope. I don't have anyone here that I have a beef with, and even if I did, I wouldn't want to downvote someone based on past interactions with them that left me sour. And as far as I recall, I haven't had a heated exchange with you. I only had a semi-unpleasant exchange with one poster here, years ago, and I think that person was banned quickly after he/she created the account, so it was likely a troll anyway. The fact that I can even recall it shows that I don't develop antagonistic feelings towards y'all. I really enjoy it here.

You're so sweet! I may have a heated exchange in a thread. But
unlike some I refuse to carry it over to a different thread. Once
the venue changes it never happened. And it works so well when
others see that on their own. I only wish longevity to to ATS. i
love this place.

a reply to: chelsdh

I dont want ats to become like reddit. What extra purpose does it add to be able to down vote posts. I think it makes it easier to censor and control with such tool as a voice can be nullified and silenced. Reddit does this enough.. lets not follow..

a reply to: carsforkids

I hope you’re not being facetious! Because I really do try to be kind to everyone, irl or behind a screen. We are all hearts beating and we all have feelings and opinions that are just real and valid as mine. Maybe that isn’t conveyed in my desire to down vote everyone to hell! 😂 Kidding.