Forum improvement

[Elky Welky]

I don't think this move will help anything as it is intended to. Seem like maybe the opposite. FWIW I have never reported or put anyone on ignore. It's the internet after all. mtmuley

Aside from the occasional crypto scammer, I've only reported a couple of posts. Two people have the honor of being on "ignore" because they have demonstrated they bring nothing of value to me here and just want to get a rise, so why give them what they want? I don't like ignoring anyone though, it is an open forum and people should be allowed to speak.

It is fair to recognize that this is the internet and there aren't too many people here that matter in our day-to-day lives. And if trolling on an internet forum is what brings them happiness, then well, I guess that's just kinda pathetic.

there are just as many mentally unstable folks out on the forums as there are QSBs for me to engage much here publicly under a real name. i happily reveal details about myself to people i get to know privately though.

I tried anonymity for all of 2 seconds, but someone picked me out pretty quick so I am comfortable with it now. My handle on here is a joke from elk camp and a reminder to not take any of this too seriously (which I also fail at sometimes). Like many, the online persona is a very small reflection of the whole person.

 

[Frequently Banned Troll]

missin out

 

[mtmuley]

Na you dropped me a dm. Which I appreciated and made me respect you a little more. Way to adult

Like. And it worked out. Respect goes both ways here. mtmuley

 

[brymoore]

mmm, interesting, didn't see that post from @Big Fin ...

if the forum goes real name only i'm 100% out.

Me too!

 

[Tradewind]

Happy Monday

In an effort to improve your time here on HT you will notice the like/dislike & emoji button is gone.

This will help optimize engagement using written posts and will reduce non-verbal confirmation biases.

Please enjoy your stay and have a great day!

 

[Khunter]

Happy Monday

In an effort to improve your time here on HT you will notice the like/dislike & emoji button is gone.

This will help optimize engagement using written posts and will reduce non-verbal confirmation biases.

Please enjoy your stay and have a great day!

Not a good move nor improvement that I can see. I much prefer to not wade through pages of what amounts to non content non content with pages of 'thanks for sharing' 'like' 'boo'

Was the "non-verbal confirmation bias" actually that this forum and metrics or traffic are dependent on actual posts to fluff up the numbers and emoji thumbs up/down were not providing that.

I guess I am asking what non-verbal confirmation bias and what harm was it causing?

Stating the obvious but a thumbs up etc. emoji in no less 'verbal' than saying 'like'. It literally says 'like'?

 

[MTLabrador]

Does everything really need to be so serious all the time? I don’t see what’s wrong with a bunch of guys who like to share hunting stories, talk about gear, and poke fun at each other as their primary reason for being on hunting forums.

If grown ass men are really so sensitive to internet “bullying” that’s pretty sad. People need to lighten up.

 

[El Jason]

Does everything really need to be so serious all the time? I don’t see what’s wrong with a bunch of guys who like to share hunting stories, talk about gear, and poke fun at each other as their primary reason for being on hunting forums.

If grown ass men are really so sensitive to internet “bullying” that’s pretty sad. People need to lighten up.

Like.

 

[Big Fin]

Call me paranoid , but I feel this is directed at me , somewhat .
OK , I'll stop posting funny shit .

It seems silly to me , we can't ask for help , and if we do we can't mention units . And if we do ask for help we get the same reply , do your homework . So we are just going to post about random scenarios? Local politics affecting hunting , that I can't vote on or have any impact ?
IMO , this will just lead to more bickering and more work for the mods.
I've seen this on other sites , it never improves the site , IMO .

It's your world @Big Fin and things like this are a matter of perspective so I'm sure I'm missing something . Maybe you are trying to weed out people like me , and thats ok , with me anyway .

Not directed at anyone. Not trying to weed out anyone.

 

[Big Fin]

Not a good move nor improvement that I can see. I much prefer to not wade through pages of what amounts to non content non content with pages of 'thanks for sharing' 'like' 'boo'

Was the "non-verbal confirmation bias" actually that this forum and metrics or traffic are dependent on actual posts to fluff up the numbers and emoji thumbs up/down were not providing that.

I guess I am asking what non-verbal confirmation bias and what harm was it causing?

Stating the obvious but a thumbs up etc. emoji in no less 'verbal' than saying 'like'. It literally says 'like'?

The forum and its existence have nothing to do with posts to fluff up anything, or any other metric. The only metric I care about is the number quality of the discussion and the time required to keep it operating. The intense amount of moderation required in the last six months is what is driving most of my decisions about the forum.

 

[EKYHunter]

Seems like a solution in search of a problem. So it’s better to say “wow, beautiful bull” than to hit the like or love button? How does one contribute more than the other?

 

[Big Fin]

Yep protecting grownups feelings seems to be the goal not "optimizing engagement". Not my house so not my rules and if I wanna play in another man's house I'll abide his rules. But don't piss down my back and tell me it's raining.

Nobody is pissing down anyone’s back. Your impression that this was due to folks reporting posts is incorrect. The decision has nothing to do with “protecting feelings.” Over 90% of reported posts are rejected for moderation.

 

[MTTW]

I think it would be cool if anyone who hit the report button lost forum privileges for a month, like a honeybee losing its stinger. I don't care if they are reporting the Russian.

 

[mtmiller]

I was looking for another opinion to compare with mine.

The like/dislike button is neither inherently good nor bad—it depends on how it's used and the context in which it appears. Here's a quick breakdown of both sides:

Pros (Good Aspects):​

• Feedback Tool: It provides quick, low-effort feedback to content creators or platforms.
• Personalization: Helps algorithms tailor content to individual preferences.
• Engagement: Encourages user interaction and participation.
• Community Signal: Can surface valuable or popular content.

Cons (Bad Aspects):​

• Oversimplification: Reduces complex opinions to a binary choice.
• Popularity Bias: Promotes content that is sensational or widely appealing, not necessarily good or accurate.
• Negative Impact on Mental Health: Dislikes (or lack of likes) can be discouraging, especially for smaller creators or younger users.
• Trolling and Abuse: Dislike buttons can be weaponized for mass-downvoting or harassment.

In short, like/dislike buttons are tools, and whether they're good or bad depends on how responsibly users and platforms manage them.

Do you have a specific platform or use case in mind?

 

[EKYHunter]

I was looking for another opinion to compare with mine.

The like/dislike button is neither inherently good nor bad—it depends on how it's used and the context in which it appears. Here's a quick breakdown of both sides:

Pros (Good Aspects):​

• Feedback Tool: It provides quick, low-effort feedback to content creators or platforms.
• Personalization: Helps algorithms tailor content to individual preferences.
• Engagement: Encourages user interaction and participation.
• Community Signal: Can surface valuable or popular content.

Cons (Bad Aspects):​

• Oversimplification: Reduces complex opinions to a binary choice.
• Popularity Bias: Promotes content that is sensational or widely appealing, not necessarily good or accurate.
• Negative Impact on Mental Health: Dislikes (or lack of likes) can be discouraging, especially for smaller creators or younger users.
• Trolling and Abuse: Dislike buttons can be weaponized for mass-downvoting or harassment.

In short, like/dislike buttons are tools, and whether they're good or bad depends on how responsibly users and platforms manage them.

Do you have a specific platform or use case in mind?

Is it really that complicated?

 

[mtmiller]

Is it really that complicated?

Not in my opinion. I was looking for the issue that I was missing.

 

[PoleX]

 

[Darkside]

Like.

Dislike.

 

[WildWill]

Nobody is pissing down anyone’s back. Your impression that this was due to folks reporting posts is incorrect. The decision has nothing to do with “protecting feelings.” Over 90% of reported posts are rejected for moderation.

After reading you post #119 on the region 3 thread I can understand your viewpoint a bit better. Hindsight is 20/20 but putting that explanation here at the beginning I think would have helped many (definitely me) understand the motivation behind the move better than what was offered. Not that you owe any of us a explanation as I've said your house your rules.

 

[Nameless Range]

IMO, in a perfect world there would be a like button, but the results of others clicking on it would only be visible to the person who posted the comment initially. That way you could let whoever wrote something know that you agree or that it’s good, but it would not have the madness of crowds effect and would let those who want to quote it and perhaps disagree not feel like they are up against way more than one poster’s opinion.

We are sacrificing efficiency for something but I’m not sure what. I’m a guest here though and I appreciate this place.