Smites

[Radiation]

Quite honestly, I feel that the exalt/smite system is another form of a popularity contest with the most well loved and known posters having a higher counter than those that are "less popular" and like others have said it seems to be a bit egotistical and narcissistic in general.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

The way I see it, if there's drama centred around smites, the smites aren't the problem. They're merely a symptom of the fact that we've a number of passive-agressive dumbfucks in our midst. Getting rid of smites will do all of jack shit to address the real issue at hand.

Imma marry this post and have its babies. The smites are like coughing, and getting rid of it is just like taking cough syrup. Except you still have bronchitis after you take the cough syrup, it's just not as obvious.

We're a public forum open to anyone who has a computer. Unless you guys can find a cure for human nature, I think we're going to have to go with the symptom-managing approach here.

[Hades]

The way I see it, if there's drama centred around smites, the smites aren't the problem. They're merely a symptom of the fact that we've a number of passive-agressive dumbfucks in our midst. Getting rid of smites will do all of jack shit to address the real issue at hand.

Imma marry this post and have its babies. The smites are like coughing, and getting rid of it is just like taking cough syrup. Except you still have bronchitis after you take the cough syrup, it's just not as obvious.

We're a public forum open to anyone who has a computer. Unless you guys can find a cure for human nature, I think we're going to have to go with the symptom-managing approach here.

I agree with Antéchrist. I see smites as a stick. Taking the stick away from the jerk who is using it will leave them having to be more direct and open with their passive-aggressiveness, or sit on it. If they choose to be open about it, it can be dealt with.

You can't stop people from being assholes, but you can take away their option to do so anonymously.

[Distind]

The thing is, we got rid of it on ProBoards because it was abused.  It stayed that way and never came back until we moved here, where people got it in their heads that it would be a good idea to have it here.  That's something I don't get, on one board it was almost unceremoniously tossed out, and on another, it was clamored for by many of the folks who'd been around when the system had been killed off the first time.

We shouldn't have had it to begin with, because its just another arbitrary form of e-cock, and another source of potential bullshit.  We lived just fine without it once, I'm sure we can all do it again, its not that big of a deal.

Which is all largely why it's fucks given rather than anything else, to give it a less serious tone than smites or what have you.

That said, I've stopped trying to anticipate what people around here want a while ago, I've found it makes things smoother.

[Yla]

That said, I've stopped trying to anticipate what people around here want a while ago, I've found it makes things smoother.

Sigged. SO Sigged. I dislike sigging quotes, but this statement is so full of win I need to sig this.

Re Fuck system: I won't miss it. And I agree with Sleepy that a exalt-only wouldn't improve things much. I think it even would worsen the situation.

[nickiknack]

Quite honestly, I feel that the exalt/smite system is another form of a popularity contest with the most well loved and known posters having a higher counter than those that are "less popular" and like others have said it seems to be a bit egotistical and narcissistic in general.

*Looks at her exalt number*
Holy Shit, I'm Popular....I feel so loved.
That being said, it really doesn't bother me what we decide to do, I just go with the flow.

[Osama bin Bambi]

I don't care if the system goes or stays. Although I think removing Fuck Nos might be an option. I have seen forums where users can "thank" posts. For instance, if users X, Y, and Z were to thank my post, then there would be a little box at the bottom that says, "This post was thanked by X, Y, and Z." That way it cuts down on space-wasting "This!" comments while also preventing people from passive-aggressively lashing back through the disguise of anonymity.

[m52nickerson]

If some people have a problem with it and the other side really does not care about it all that much I say get ride of it.

Personally it really does not matter to me.  The more negatives I get the more it feels like I'm doing my job around here.

[Undecided]

Keep the positive ones, if at all. There are times when somebody posts a really inspired comment, but there isn't really any follow up to be had. I don't really regret those. On the other hand, there have been times when somebody had written some nonsense that seemed to merit a smite, but then I would find the sense in the post and become ashamed of having smit them. I'd prefer not to have the temptation.

[Mechtaur]

I'm gonna join the "Ditch the whole thing" side. The +/- system is just a giant dick swinging/slapping contest.

As someone else said, if people are abusing it to be passive-aggressive, taking it away will stop the drama caused by their behavior and force them to fuck off or come out and play with everyone.

[Fpqxz]

I have seen forums where users can "thank" posts. For instance, if users X, Y, and Z were to thank my post, then there would be a little box at the bottom that says, "This post was thanked by X, Y, and Z." That way it cuts down on space-wasting "This!" comments while also preventing people from passive-aggressively lashing back through the disguise of anonymity.

[Sleepy]

If some people have a problem with it and the other side really does not care about it all that much I say get ride of it.

Considering how close the vote is, I have to agree with this.

[Undecided]

Changed my vote to getting rid of the whole system. Exalts and smites give undue weight to users who are not willing to express their most basal opinions using language or their own identity. When somebody has incurred either approval or wrath, they have a right to know why.

[Sleepy]

With the current poll, shall we do away with the system?

[Smurfette Principle]

I don't know, the gap between keep it positive and trash the whole thing is pretty small. I like the idea of "thanking" posts for reasons mentioned above.