Negative reputation?

[Angrboda]

I'm jumping in because I can't be arsed to read the entire thread.



I generally avoid the rep system. I think there are multiple ways of viewing what the intent behind the rep system is. Some look to it as a kind of measuring stick. I look at it more along the lines of kudos, a way of providing support, encouragement and in some sense feedback. I think this last is what those in favor are perhaps looking for. I also participate on another forum that has neither rep points nor kudos, and it affects the dynamic. In particular, without kudos, there are a lot more of what I believe are termed "fluff" posts, posts solely to give another recognition. And that's not necessarily a bad thing; it results in a lot of very personal interaction, as well as mayhem, which would not likely occur with a kudo system.

And there are things I don't like about the rep system, my own rep points notwithstanding. My main problem with it is a) that it's highly nonlinear, and b) is given out for unpredictable reasons. Regarding "b," it's certainly everybody's right to give rep points for things they value or relate to what they value, but that makes it less a reliable indicator of merit (if that's what people interpret it as, I don't know; I know I have some questionable rep points). The nonlinearity of it bothers me more. While it's certainly true, I think, that certain "types" are more likely to attract rep points than others, and in particular non-atheists are less likely to be rep'd than atheists, that's a minor quibble. What I find most problematic is that, at least to my eyeballing estimate, older posters receive fewer reputation points for a given output than newer posters. In my estimate, rep points per post peaks in the 500-1,000 post range, and slacks after that. And while many older posters have ginormous rep points, imho, it appears they have to work harder for each point than a newer poster.

I don't know. Maybe part of it is my shy and reserved nature that makes me reluctant to tap another on the shoulder and say, "Hey, I like you."

That being said, those who feel I have unfairly slighted them are welcome to PM me their best offer and we'll see if we can work something out.