Karma ratings

[dude]

Erik,

I find it hard to believe that we are really interested in the popularity of a poster.

you wrote:

"Karma is a feature that shows the user-determined popularity of a member. Members, if allowed, can 'applaud' or 'smite' other members, which is how their popularity is calculated."

It doesn't fit with my idea of an inclusive community that is trying to encourage honest debate and a wide diversity of opinion.  Also, very different from my concept and experience of Antioch College.  Actually feels sort of childish to me.

Carl,

I agree with you 100%.  So, feel free to speak for me (and you and I make a we).

Deb '83

[bethness]

"the people" in bold?  Somehow by questioning the institution of a feature makes me undemocratic or a "squelcher"?  C'mon now...

I think it's a legitimate question - where did the idea to do it come from and how does it fit with people's sense of anonymity in the forum?  Anyone on the creation side want to speak to that?

It's anonymous and all it does is add pluses or minuses by someone's name - not just their post.  How is that supposed to be helpful here?  I would rather see the forum encourage people to speak up and sign their names.  If you don't like what someone says, say so.  And sign your name.  That, to me, syncs up with the Honor Code more than anonymous "smites" (could they have picked a more inflamatory word?).

And doing something "just because you can" doesn't automatically mean that it's a good idea until it's proven otherwise.   

On a somewhat related note - nytimes article about email v. face-to-face interactions and how it's so easy to mis-read email.... (ttp://tinyurl.com/ywbx5k).    Just food for thought.

[erik]

"the people" in bold?  Somehow by questioning the institution of a feature makes me undemocratic or a "squelcher"?  C'mon now...

no. never said or even implied that.

I think it's a legitimate question -

i never said it wasn't legitimate.

where did the idea to do it come from and how does it fit with people's sense of anonymity in the forum?

it's hard to say though it's a feature built into the forum software.

Anyone on the creation side want to speak to that?

no me.

It's anonymous and all it does is add pluses or minuses by someone's name - not just their post.  How is that supposed to be helpful here?  I would rather see the forum encourage people to speak up and sign their names.  If you don't like what someone says, say so.  And sign your name.  That, to me, syncs up with the Honor Code more than anonymous "smites" (could they have picked a more inflamatory word?).

i will gladly hand you the keys and you can see the forum as you like.

And doing something "just because you can" doesn't automatically mean that it's a good idea until it's proven otherwise.

first of all, i didn't do anything "just because i can". secondly, how do you suggest "proving" an idea if it's not allowed to be even tried before people start to call for its removal?

the poll is in favor of removing the karma feature. and when the poll finishes it will be removed (if that's the result).

short of that... i won't be doing anything more here on these forums just so people can complain about it, short of possibly putting everything back to the way it was before i started to volunteer months of my life to help the people have a functioning place to communicate.

thanks for your input, Beth. much appreciated.

-erik '97

[megan]

Erik -
I really appreciate all the volunteer work you have done for the college revival, antiochians, whatever.  I have been amazed at the speed in which you are able to respond to questions, concerns and ideas of the community.  I have seen how helpful you have been to many folks in locating information, explaining again and again about how to use certain features, etc. You have been actively engaged by reading others comments, sharing ideas, taking initiative in many ways and providing thoughtful suggestions for problem solving on many levels. I am not sure how I personally feel about the Karma ratings but I appreciate that you set up the poll to let people voice their opinions.   
Thank you for all your work so far. I certainly hope you will continue to lend your talents to these efforts. 
-megan '97

[sgahealth]

Erik,

I agree with Megan.  Your timely response has been appreciated.

My comments/question about the KARMA was not directed at your personally, or anyone for that matter, but was intended to add to the discourse.   The -665 hasn't gone unnoticed ... keep up your sense of humor!