Negativity Resulting from "Likes"/Ratings

[Sakeenah]

One thing I've noticed about "likes" and ratings is that sometimes they can produce negativity. For example, member X and member Y are on good terms, but they disagree on an issue. Member Z comes along and posts an ad hominem or otherwise hostile post aimed at member X, and member Y likes said post. The result: member X sees that member Y has given the post a like or a positive rating and either wonders what's up or negativity simply develops between X and Y.

Am I the only one who has observed this? It makes me wonder if certain online tools sometimes make it too easy to spread negativity and inject it into positive interactions.

Also, for clarification, my question is not about whether or not any given post is justified; it's about the resultant negativity nonetheless. Some people, such as certain racists I've seen here, can get possessed by a rotten-hummus-eating djinn for all I care. That still wouldn't change the crux of my question, since that's irrelevant to the point of the question.

I haven't really thought about it from this perspective. I rate the post based on the content. I don't really pay attention to who is posting. It's possible I disagree with member X on most issues but if he/she posts something I agree with I'll like the post.

 

[Jedster]

I haven't really thought about it from this perspective. I rate the post based on the content.I don't really pay attention to who is posting. It's possible I disagree with member X on most issues but if he/she posts something I agree with I'll like the post.

ditto
I was just about to post the same

 

[Revoltingest]

We actually used to have negative Frubals long, long time ago. They were removed, very early on, because it was felt they detracted from the sense of community. It's also why there has never been a "brawling" area allowed, despite what appears to be at times flaring tempers.

I can just imagine the competition to rake in the most <dislike>s.
Yet another area to excel !

 

[Shadow Wolf]

My only advice is not to take things so seriously.

While that is generally good advice, to most people they are like the proverbial fish being asked about water. While--as in real life--I can't see more than a few really getting emotional about it, it shouldn't be ignored that online interactions do work the brain in at least some similar ways as face-to-face, nor the fact that by default of being human we are prone to doing things such as "reading patterns" into the likes, and interpreting that as we may, which for most people is going to be in a self-confirming manner.

We should just be straight forward so as not to miscommunicate our intentions.

It would help (especially for me), but it is inevitably people would still take things the wrong way. Ultimately, people have their own experiences and perspectives, and often and typically a lack of awareness of this leaving them oblivious and ignorant, flaming fires that shouldn't have been because people get worked up over nothing except what is "lost in translation."

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I haven't really thought about it from this perspective. I rate the post based on the content. I don't really pay attention to who is posting. It's possible I disagree with member X on most issues but if he/she posts something I agree with I'll like the post.

There are a few members I deeply disagree with on a few issues, but mostly agree with on just about everything else. Some I have fundamental disagreements with over many things, but I see no reason for that to mean I can't acknowledge something I agree with or like.

 

[suncowiam]

I can just imagine the competition to rake in the most <dislike>s.
Yet another area to excel !

I think I definitely beat you there.

 

[Revoltingest]

I think I definitely beat you there.

You should privileged just to stand in the shadow cast by my enmity!

 

[suncowiam]

You should privileged just to stand in the shadow cast by my enmity!

Oh it's on. Let's see how many likes we can get from our opponents discussions as described in the OP.

Ill start by giving you a like.

 

[Revoltingest]

Oh it's on. Let's see how many likes we can get from our opponents discussions as described in the OP.

Ill start by giving you a like.

No, we're shooting for a <hate> rating, ya mince'n, sock twist'n, tissue dangler!

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I can just imagine the competition to rake in the most <dislike>s.
Yet another area to excel !

It'd be a competition between you yellow Scottish Heathen and some of the more Conservative members. Though I suspect the reason is the haggis. If it wasn't for the haggis, it would just be the Christians quoting the Bible to support anti-gay legislation.

 

[Sha'irullah]

Does not bother me. Some people I strongly disagree with get likes from me and some people give me likes for this others dislike. Nature of the game and it is entirely fair.

 

[Revoltingest]

It'd be a competition between you yellow Scottish Heathen and some of the more Conservative members. Though I suspect the reason is the haggis. If it wasn't for the haggis, it would just be the Christians quoting the Bible to support anti-gay legislation.

On my prior forum (may it rest in peace), I quoted a lot of scripture as "The Pope".
(I made it up ad hoc. No one complained. No one dared question The Pope.)