Neg rep (well, neutral rep cos the culprit must have 0 rep power):
Thread: Scrap + and - Rep.
Boring **** ...
See
. It's no big deal.
What I mean is people do ridiculous things that they would never think of doing were they identifiable.
Well yeah, but my whole point is that this isn't really a big deal, is it? So some random stranger on the internet calls you a ****. I'd be more offended if someone cut a fart while they were standing with me in a small room.
The fact there is a username or not shouldn't make a difference. The fact you can literally hurl abuse at people (And some of it is pretty nasty,tribal stuff) with zero consequences, is detestable, and shouldn't be a part of this forum. I know its supposed to be more relaxed moderation wise than the old 606 here, but that doesn't mean it has to be the complete extreme other end of it.
How bad really is it though? I've received a large amount of positive rep for some things I've posted, but occasionally I receive some neg rep because I'm an arsehole. Most of it is comment-free, but an occasional few decide to attempt an insult. Big whoop. I'd be a little more concerned if it was just constant abuse, but it's rare.
I think there should be a setting which allows users to completely disable rep, so they can't give it out and they can't receive it. That would solve the problem.
The fact rep comments are one person, to another,, makes them incredibly personal. Imagine getting an unsigned letter filled with abuse about your family, calling you a complete **** etc, for no good reason whatsoever. That is the kind of experience neg rep is like. And obviously your reply will be "Well dont open the letter then". The point is you don't know whats going to be in it until you open it.
It ain't personal man. No one knows anything about anyone, and everyones a stranger, so how can it be an incredibly personal insult? Trolling and flaming is just a part of the internet. Getting a personal letter of abuse would be a little more concerning, although you probably don't think so.
As for the 'well don't open it' idea, I agree with it. Letters are very different to the rep system, so if you don't want to see what's inside it, just don't look at the rep page. The only way that would be a problem is if you want to read the other comments, such as the positive ones.
Rep can be a good thing, even neg rep, it can help people gauge their own activity on the forum, and their own posting habits, but its the comment system that annoys me most, as Ive made clear already.
It could do with a change I suppose. I wouldn't be against removing the anonymity, or having a feature to disable rep altogether.
