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Some clarifications about the Downvote

Hi everyone, ✌️

Thank you very much for your feedback in relation to the Downvote. 👎
We totally understand that many/most of you are not happy with it.

However, based on the feedback we're reading, I'd like to clarify some points:

1) If your posts/replies frequently have many good reactions, and sometimes you get 1 or 2 downvotes, out of MANY good reactions, [b]you really shouldn't have to worry[/b]. 👍

2) If there is a user that has been downvoting you in many posts, [b]that user will eventually start seeing less contents from you[/b]. 📉

3) You don't have to worry [b]if a user tries to use multiple accounts to downvote you. Either the system knows about it already, or will know in the future[/b], and that will only go wrong on that user, [u]and never affect you[/u]. 🚩
Only a few users have attempted this so far, and we've sent notifications to those users. The targeted users [u]were not affected[/u] by the fake downvotes.

4) A comment or post will only be pushed down [b]if the amount of downvotes surpass the amount of good reactions[/b] (and only if a [u]minimum[/u] of downvotes was reached, for that to happen). You [u]don't have to worry[/u] about the visibility of your contents being impacted [u]just because of 1 or 2 downvotes, when you got several good reactions[/u] too. 📊

5) Even if a post of yours got more downvotes than good reactions, [b]it doesn't mean that your audience will be impacted on other stories/questions that you post in the future[/b]. It only affects the post that got downvoted. 📚

5) The downvote does have a slight impact on your account reputation, but [b]that impact is VERY negligible[/b]. If you [u]maintain a much higher amount of good reactions, versus the amount of downvotes[/u], [b]your account will NEVER suffer any consequences[/b]. Only accounts who have more downvotes than good reactions are the ones that will be really impacted. 😊



[b]In summary:[/b] You don't have to worry if you get a few downvotes here and there. Only if the amount of downvotes surpasses the amount of good reactions (very rare cases), you would be affected. [b]Only troublemakers will be affected by the downvote.[/b]


I want to apologize again for not being clear in my original post when it was announced.


---

Thank you for your support and we hope you continue to stay with us.

We are constantly listening to your suggestions, so please keep giving them to us, as they are very important to the future of Similar Worlds.

Very kind regards, 🧡
- The SW Team
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Hmmmm... Well this is clearer, thanks.

I have a worry :

People are different.
And so there are different ways in which people use this site.

And I've noticed a change in the last 8 months or so, (whether it has to do with users leaving, I don't know, or culture change due to new style users), but not as many hearts are being used on posts.

Therefore, if users aren't keen to heart posts as much now, then users who pick up this option to downvote, adds emphasis to its power.

There has developed a more neutral culture of late, compared to the one we had, and it's noticeable.

We spoke years ago about the response emojis. And the general conclusion was - to make this place easier to respond, but maintain possitivity.

I don't understand why this has been challenged by a downvote option.

People are imperfect, we are impulsive, we get angry and upset, and can act on those Impluses.

My fear is, and culture reflects it... We feed on anger and conflict as a whole.... Therefore, empowering an anonymous way to be negative, and affect anothers freedom to be heard (seen, in this case), doesn't bode well.

I mean, it was tried before on EP, and upset users, and was removed not long after.

If this is the case, then my questions are, why was it removed?

And why try something again, if it:

wasn't well received the first time,

was thrown out,

was voted out by majority a few years ago ....

And enables anonymous negative affects on a user's visability.... With no basic rules of engagement except desire to do so?

Surely, if you can make us visably accountable for possitive responses.... Enabling us to be anonymous for negative ones, gives more freedom to breeding negativity....becuase it takes away accountability.
JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M
@OogieBoogie imma gonna go heart all your posts now
ExtremeNext · 31-35
@OogieBoogie I hearted you hun ❤️
@JoeyFoxx 😊👍 @ExtremeNext😂

Thanks guys.
But I think you've just hit on something we need to actively do more of.... Be possitive - and show it.

We need to encourage "heart culture" 😊❤️ again. 🤗
Turtlepower · 36-40, M
@OogieBoogie I typically heart or give an emoji response to everyone. Life by definition it's surrounded by negativity, and it was nice to come here and try to avoid it. Well thought out response. I thank you for sharing it!
SW-User
@OogieBoogie yep... it's going to matter if someone is given down votes.
@Turtlepower you've added so much spice here... I love your sassyness and bluntness, tempered by all the fun you give.
I'm so glad you chose to stay 😊
@SW-User I think, for some... It might just tip them over the edge on a bad day.

I fear those in deep depression will suffer worse becuase of downvoting.

It truly worries me.
SW-User
@OogieBoogie I'm trying to tell people...I've been to a site with the same setup and it wasn't good! People were hating on each other, accusing others of down voting them, "reputations" shot and some people not seen on leaderboards even if they put a lot of comments and posts in. It really did depress many even more and the site died/got put out of it's misery.
@SW-User well you've just said one of my fears.

This place, despite all the negativity that abounds in human nature... Managed to keep some positivity.

Whether it's due to my lack of understanding, or worry, I cant see the good that will come if this.

Humans can take the best thing, and find a negative way to use it.

Give them something negative, and it will cause even more negativity from a butterfly affect.
SW-User
@OogieBoogie Agreed. It will be abused, if not right away...soon enough.
I am pretty sure I have seen one person targeted with down votes on a post...
I don't think I'll be posting much anymore.
JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M
@OogieBoogie here is an example of something that should have been downvoted, but wasn’t.

https://similarworlds.com/groups/similar-worlds/3870912-Why-is-Sex-Blimps-not-trending-Theres-grand

I’m not worried. :)
Oster1 · M
@OogieBoogie Very well written, with exceptional points made. I agree wholeheartedly! 👍😊🌺
SW-User
@OogieBoogie this is an excellent reply.
We’re no longer people in this similar world.. but now algorithms
Turtlepower · 36-40, M
@OogieBoogie Thank you for the kind words :) They definitely made me smile. I appreciate it.
Peapod · 61-69, F
@OogieBoogie So well stated about the nature of our society, especially in today's world.

People absolutely feed off of negativity and I have caught myself doing it as well. It takes a lot to walk away from it. What I do know for a fact is that I have never seen a site become "better" because downvoting anonymously was added. While management may be able to see sock accounts using it to their advantage, they may not see someone being targeted by a group of like minded people.

No one should be punished if they end up with more downvotes than loves. It may not reflect content at all.

Isn't the mute/block/report feature enough? I cannot imagine the extra work the admins will have in analyzing all the downvotes going on. 🤔
KiwiBird · 36-40, F
@OogieBoogie ❤️❤️❤️❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤