Stars Flags & Kharma Oh My! Scrubbing My Brain Clean:D

reply to post by Poker


Who knows if what you say is in fact happening but if you are concerned then simply don't star or flag any threads..
Personally I think TPTB are not concerned with the opinions of you or me to that extent..

As for the borders, we didn't ask for them but I do get your point..
Not one poster has given me a nice comment about my border in a thread..
Only complaints and whinges about something I have NO CONTROL over..

And BTW, there are more than one Gold contributors that I don't think I'll agree with if I live to be 100..
They are as diverse in opinions as the rest of the members and that is kinda reassuring to me..

Originally posted by curious7
It's cool you brought it up as someone else did on the Rant forum but personally speaking, it goes both ways.

I've never been swayed by anyone here or indeed any thing. I generally look at the content of the posts more than the fancy stuff around it and I can honestly say I've seen not only some great posts get a lot of stars but also posts that are downright ridiculous, ignorant, insulting or just generally negative in some way get even more of them.

By any chance would you happen to have the link to the rant thread?

I get what all of you are saying about basically sorting out the good and the bad posters. But tactics and manipulations such as the ones I listed are not designed to trap hardcore believers, active truth seekers and debunkers. Tactics such as these are set up to manipulate the average user, the Joe schmoes basically the huddle masses e.g. Normal people who never look beyond the surface. Manipulating those people is where they do the most damage. I hate to say it but the Joe schmoes outnumber us a great deal not just on here but out in the real world aswell.

reply to post by Poker

I get what all of you are saying about basically sorting out the good and the bad posters. But attics and manipulations such as the ones I listed are not designed to trap hardcore believers, active truth seekers and debunkers. Tactics such as these are set up to manipulate the average user, the Joe schmoes basically the huddle masses e.g. Normal people who never look beyond the surface. Manipulating those people is where they do the most damage. I hate to say it but the Joe schmoes outnumber us a great deal nut just on here but out in the real world aswell.

But then why would they target a site like ATS?
Wouldn't you agree that anyone that searches out an "Alternative Media" site such as ATS is a little ahead of the average "sheeple" ??

reply to post by loam


As my five year old is now fond of saying, "Thats true as the sun and the universe."

CJ

Originally posted by backinblack
reply to post by Poker

 

I get what all of you are saying about basically sorting out the good and the bad posters. But attics and manipulations such as the ones I listed are not designed to trap hardcore believers, active truth seekers and debunkers. Tactics such as these are set up to manipulate the average user, the Joe schmoes basically the huddle masses e.g. Normal people who never look beyond the surface. Manipulating those people is where they do the most damage. I hate to say it but the Joe schmoes outnumber us a great deal nut just on here but out in the real world aswell.

But then why would they target a site like ATS?
Wouldn't you agree that anyone that searches out an "Alternative Media" site such as ATS is a little ahead of the average "sheeple" ??

Some yes but a very small number, the mass of the site are people who are easily mislead. most seem to take every piece they're fed as the gods honest truth. Look how many times a story is debunked and then repeatedly posted over and over. Look how many time a site that has been proven to be a Schill has been used as the soul source for a 'factual' thread. Look how many times a story from days or weeks ago have been posted repeatedly. How can so many users claim to be well informed when they're not even capable of using the search function.

My feelings is that the vast majority on here just like the idea of a conspiracy cause it's cool and hip. They claim that the truth is hidden in the real world but never chance look beyond the surface on sites such as this one.

I hate to break it to you but there are probably the same amount of 'sheeple' on here as there are in the real world. Percentage wise of course.

By the way I hate the term Sheeple it's so dismissive.

reply to post by Poker


I like the points systems in general. I don't feel it is typically used all as sinister or manipulatively as you suggest it could be, but I would never put it past anyone for using any type system to their advantage or exploiting it for whatever nefarious purpose. Happens.

I believe someone can use ATS's points systems for personal aggrandizement or can use it as an earmark toward their own personal development. I use it primarily for the latter but a little bit for the former as well. I do try to use them for measuring my development toward effectiveness and feel my own discussion blog is better for the "education" I receive by being active on ATS.

There are various ways to achieve points, sensationalism, popularism, erudition to name a few. Some point-earning posters may achieve theirs through one means or another but effectiveness employs a measured bit of all those.

I pay attention to points, mine and other folk's, but they really are not an accurate means to measure a poster's ability to make a well-spoken statement. There is no indicator in a person's stats that says this person will make an impresssive statement, or that they won't. Ultimately these points mean diddly, but I appreciate receiving them.

I don't feel there is any conformity of thought here and especially none that points or the lack of indicate. It is such a large community on ATS that almost any viewpoint has its backers and its detractors. This community has its most lamest and its most erudite contributors, and through participation most progress and become better contributors over time. Of course some know they can improve and others are content with where they are, and the points systems do not indicate which those may be though they can be observed in time.

The silver and gold outlines are very new. I am not sure by what criteria they are awarded, be it quantity or quality or the combination. I am sure most feel somewhat honored to have received the recognition but from what I hear from many of them they consider this a bit too ostentatious for their own preference. Also that it is a double-edged sword that attracts derisions or high expectations.

Overall I like the points systems here, they can offer incentive and benchmarks for improvement. I use ATS as an educational tool, both for information about powerful issues and interesting facts and news events, but that it has some demanding standards for conduct and quality while not discouraging or disparaging those who may just be starting out on their own personal quests, whether or not they realize that is the path they may be on.

I like the point systems as well.

Although I have a silver border I never asked for it, it was given on the amount I contributed. I like contributing and would continue to do so whether or not I was "rewarded".

I enjoy sharing news items that I read or my own personal opinions, do you have to agree with them? Absolutely not. And if you think that the border means my posts have more validity then others your not using them correctly.

It's about contribution, not about intelligence. We all have our strengths in intelligence and that is what a post should be judged upon.

It's not my fault people like me. kidding...

Pred...

reply to post by Erongaricuaro

I do try to use them for measuring my development toward effectiveness...

No offense but you're the exact type of mindset I'm talking about. All the stars and flags do is show how much you think like other people.

When you state something that other people believe, like or feel is true they star and flag you. that is hardly a measure of effectiveness. It's more a measure of compliance.

Overall I like the points systems here, they can offer incentive and benchmarks for improvement.

all the point system does is measure your standing in the status quo. The more you go along with the powers in charge the more stars you get. The more you perpetuate the ideals of those in charge the more flags  you receive.

All top score means is that you're the thoughtless zombie they want you to be. Perpetuating their beliefs and mythos will no doubt give you a lot of points at the cost of the truth?

Stay compliant and I'm sure you'll have no doubts fitting in right where they want you to.

I don't star people because I like their opinion, I star people that bring intelligence and civility to discussions. If they just keep spewing garbage they get not stars from me. If they prove or bring forth and intelligent argument then that should be known.

If your staring for a aching opinion your not using the star system properly.

Flags are given to threads with important information, the better the content the more flags.

Pred...

reply to post by Poker

all the point system does is measure your standing in the status quo. The more you go along with the powers in charge the more stars you get. The more you perpetuate the ideals of those in charge the more flags you receive.

All top score means is that you're the thoughtless zombie they want you to be. Perpetuating their beliefs and mythos will no doubt give you a lot of points at the cost of the truth?

Stay compliant and I'm sure you'll have no doubts fitting in right where they want you to.

Absolute and utter BS !!!!!
You obviously don't read many posts on ATS if you think like that...

I thought your thread was serious but now I believe it may be simple jealousy mixed with a little trolling..

Originally posted by predator0187
I don't star people because I like their opinion, I star people that bring intelligence and civility to discussions. If they just keep spewing garbage they get not stars from me. If they prove or bring forth and intelligent argument then that should be known.

If your staring for a aching opinion your not using the star system properly.

Flags are given to threads with important information, the better the content the more flags.

Pred...

You can in no way justify your claims on using the system properly in regard to flagging and staring. There is no way you can know how the mass of users are choosing to star and flag.

What it boils down to is a virtual popularity contest. Usually the most mundane and least provocative choice will win a popularity contest. The most generic and more accessible will be chosen by a bigger group.

Besides you don't even know if those behind this site can actually rig the system. Which I have no doubts that they have the capabilities, whether they have the intent is left for others to decide. I've made up my mind.

Most of the users on here are just as easily lead as the so call Sheeple on the outside, if not more so.

Originally posted by backinblack
reply to post by Poker

 

all the point system does is measure your standing in the status quo. The more you go along with the powers in charge the more stars you get. The more you perpetuate the ideals of those in charge the more flags you receive.

All top score means is that you're the thoughtless zombie they want you to be. Perpetuating their beliefs and mythos will no doubt give you a lot of points at the cost of the truth?

Stay compliant and I'm sure you'll have no doubts fitting in right where they want you to.

Absolute and utter BS !!!!!
You obviously don't read many posts on ATS if you think like that...

I thought your thread was serious but now I believe it may be simple jealousy mixed with a little trolling..

Prove it's utter bs. I merely pruposed a system abuse that is certainly capable of existing. And ways in which they might exploit the system.

By the way you can't prove it's bs because you do not know how the mass of average users are using the system. You can't even prove the the site admin are not filtering results and manipulating said system.

I can't be jelous I don't care about the stars or flags or points. I just care that people may be mislead by the system and tricked into believing bs.

Im not trolling I can promis you that.

I usually star and flag for the amount of time and effort that the fellow member puts into a thread. Even if I do not agree with them, I will still flag or star, or both because they took the time to be as informative as possible. That takes alot of time and effort on the part of the member. I will star you, Not flag...

Ps. I want my gold border thingy............... I will work on it.

reply to post by Poker


Well I think my stats and the FACT that I rarely toe TPTB line proves it's not the ones blindly believing that get the stars..
What part of your rant can you prove???

all the point system does is measure your standing in the status quo. The more you go along with the powers in charge the more stars you get. The more you perpetuate the ideals of those in charge the more flags you receive.
All top score means is that you're the thoughtless zombie they want you to be. Perpetuating their beliefs and mythos will no doubt give you a lot of points at the cost of the truth?
Stay compliant and I'm sure you'll have no doubts fitting in right where they want you t

reply to post by backinblack

ATS Points: 14,074

I have this many points. Is that good, bad or mediocre?

I am a big boy I can handle the truth.

Originally posted by backinblack
reply to post by Poker

 

Well I think my stats and the FACT that I rarely toe TPTB line proves it's not the ones blindly believing that get the stars..
What part of your rant can you prove???

all the point system does is measure your standing in the status quo. The more you go along with the powers in charge the more stars you get. The more you perpetuate the ideals of those in charge the more flags you receive.
All top score means is that you're the thoughtless zombie they want you to be. Perpetuating their beliefs and mythos will no doubt give you a lot of points at the cost of the truth?
Stay compliant and I'm sure you'll have no doubts fitting in right where they want you t

I never said I could prove anything, Those were my thoughts on the people who shared his line of thinking. I never meant to state anything as fact., of ot came out that way I'm sorry. I only meant to share my personal thoughts on what I truly believe they're doing.

Originally posted by liejunkie01
reply to post by backinblack

 

ATS Points: 14,074

I have this many points. Is that good, bad or mediocre?
I am a big boy I can handle the truth.

I only have 25000...
You are probably doing a lot better than me...
I keep getting them taken away for being a bad boy...
Though I've never found a use for them anyways..

reply to post by Poker


Fair enough, but the facts don't back up your "opinion"..

Myself and many others are quite openly anti establishment and seem to get plenty of support from members..
IMO (In My Opinion) members are quite spread on their views...

Originally posted by backinblack
reply to post by Poker

 

Fair enough, but the facts don't back up your "opinion"..

Myself and many others are quite openly anti establishment and seem to get plenty of support from members..
IMO (In My Opinion) members are quite spread on their views...

Ok I'll bite where are these facts you speak of?

reply to post by Poker

Ok I'll bite where are these facts you speak of?

What's to bite?

The FACTS are in the threads..
Who and what topics are supported by members..
Your stating it's sheeple supporting the members that support the status qua and TPTB..
I'm saying it's not and I believe the threads support that..

It's your thread and yet you seem lost as to what you are saying..