Stars, Flags, Lightening Bolts, and Statistics: Sniffing out the Trolls, Derailers, and mean people

I finally figured out how to use the system, to help me navigate through all the random Clutter, Angry, Ranting comments. If a person has been posting for a long time, and they only have a few stars, like 1 - 1/2 or less per post, Don't bother reading or replying, The stuff they say, isn't worth a gold star. I call them the 1 stars.

You get Lightening Bolts for being nice in your comments, staying on topic, and not getting baited into "changing the mind" of the 1 stars above.
I know this because, I never rant, etc, and I had over 80 lightening bolts. So, since I had so many bolts to spare (lol) I experimented, and belittled, harassed and pushed back on one of the one stars.

Yup, I lost my Boltzzzzz. I tried to loose sleep, really I did!!!
But now I know; if a person has a bunch of posts and hardly any lightening bolts, This tells me they are trolls, derailers unable to stay on topic, mean, angry baiters. So, I ignore, and simply don't reply. Unless I have some magical words of wisdom that will stop them dead in their tracks and think about the stuff they say, which I don't.

We all know what a flag is, if the 1 star, is a 3 flagger. RUN!!!!!!!

I don't know what you are thinking. I think you are trying to convince others that you are better than most others on the site since all things you say lean towards emphasizing your scores. I suppose some will listen to this and believe it but I would rather evaluate people on the content of their posts not by looking at statistics.

A few popular threads about a subject you know a lot about can get you stars and flags. That does not mean that the person knows about other subjects. Everyone has their special interests and knowledge, it shouldn't limit you from commenting on things outside of your specialty...where you will receive less stars.

I tend to look at it like stars as currency for posting.

It keeps me from posting things frivolously, also keeps the temptation down to troll people for ridiculous threads.

like to keep mine at a 3/1 ration of stars to post.

ETA: that being said thats only for myself, I take most threads and post for the merit in them and not by star/ flag counts, Or grammar for that matter as well, will be overlooked if the thought has merit to me.

reply to post by misskat1


I think you're misinterpreting what the numbers actually mean. And as such, you're going to miss out on some valuable comments due to your lack of understanding of what those numbers mean.

The following link discusses exactly what the numbers mean. And it has nothing to do with what you described above:

www.abovetopsecret.com...


By the way, the "bolt" is your Karma score, and the "trophy" is your Watts score. The link above tells you how they're calculated.

This thread illustrates how ridiculous the "rewards" system on ATS is.

Bunch of people chasing intangible rewards to boost their e-peen.

Post honestly, and forget the imaginary gold stars.


Welcome to CONSPIRACYBOOK.com

Oh my god I used the word "damn" in the last posts, damn it will I lose my bolts? I got 13 damn bolts.

No to be serious, I don´t give a # about how many stars/posts/bolts you have. I read everything if possible. To be honest, reading your post and glancing at your stats underneath.... I get the smell of attitude here... something I don´t like.

You get so much stars because you either bring good neutral content or you serve the opinions of a good portion of members here.

My opinion is, we don´t need people here like you that just look at the surface of a poster and hunt for stars. Instead use logic and kind argumentation. But that´s just my opinion and don´t take it seriously (the we don´t need you)


EDIT: I DEBUNKED U
Now I have 19 bolts for telling the unspeakable truth to you. Thank you karma

reply to post by misskat1


so i guess i'm not far off a troll then ?
i'll try to make sure i write great comments
from now on and agree with everyone

I dont pay much attention to stars, i read each post regardless and if at the end of it i mind it above average i star it myself.

Posts with a bunch of stars a take a little more seriously and some times re read to see why or what it is about it that others seemed it necessary to star if i dont initially.

reply to post by misskat1


I think your logic is somehow Fouled.

I know users that have a low karma score, however have never one time ever made a derogatory comment, trolled a thread, or even derailed one for that matter.

You should consider the content of one's posts as opposed to statistics. Make note that sometimes statistics can be a Damn Liar, just like any Government Agency.

reply to post by darknewt


I would say your near 1.0 post/star ratio, while having low flag count tells that you constantly earn stars for your post instead of generating hundreds of average threads. Something that would be much more valuable to me if I would care

Geez, after reading the OP...I looked at my numbers....and according to you, I'm a loser (lol).
Luckily, I don't really pay attention to my own 'stats' or anyone else's. I give stars for good posts, and will flag a thread if I involve myself in it.
Other than that, I base my interest on the topic....and other people's comments.
jacygirl

I always thought the amount of lightning bolts you have had something to do with the number of warnings you receive or off topic comment notices, thus you accumulate negative ATS points.

I pretty much just ignore anything other than the ratio between posts and stars, even then this can be misleading.

Best approach i have found is treat other members as you find them.

Don't be so judgmental dude after all stars don't make prizes any more than lightning bolts do! LoL

reply to post by misskat1


What a silly self serving post. You have a low star count and a high 'lightening' number ... so you want people to ignore those who have more stars then you and turn their attention to your posts instead.

Drivel.

Stars don't mean a person is posting well or posting facts.
It easily can mean that the person is just posting what others want to hear.

Epic failure.

I feel really embarrassed that my intentions were mistaken. I just noticed the lightnbolt a few days ago. I am not at alllllll upity or think Im better. I thought I was being funny.

But, seriously, I see a lot of bulling going on here. Arguing, it gets out of hand. There are so many great threads I see fall off track. I see the same Trolls over and over bully people.

I think I can live without wasting my time on habitual bullies or sidetracking trolls.

Sorry that's how I feel. But then again, I have 4 stars, Lol
And no, I don't think I am better than anyone. I have 4 stars, because I rarely chit chat. Probably Im anti social. Go figure.

I lost all my ATS points when they changed over. I should of cashed the points in for a little ceasars pizza dollar off coupon when I had the chance but I held off too long and they recalled the ATS money.

andy06shake
I always thought the amount of lightning bolts you have had something to do with the number of warnings you receive or off topic comment notices, thus you accumulate negative ATS point.

Lightening is Karma. I dont' know the formula used. (and I really don't care).
The trophy is WATS. The 'top 50 posters' thing was based on the WATS number.

misskat1
I have 4 stars,

You have 640 stars. That's what I'm seeing.

reply to post by FlyersFan


Cheer's FlyersFan.

I really don't care either, better just to read what people say and then return our own opinion.

reply to post by misskat1


Hey misskat1,
You have a large stars:posts ratio...and I've read your stuff on here...you've never sounded 'uppity' before. I think you were trying to make a point, that got a bit lost...and some of us immediately checked our own stats and reacted! (hehe....guilty)
Sorry, I do believe that you have been somewhat misunderstood.
Here...have a star and a flag. It's all I've got.
jacygirl

I follow my own path, as should you.