I was joking before.

Maybe all in all it has helped 'Newbies' in the way of the usage of this site,
now that has to be good.

James, could all your questioning topics be sifted to like I said, help or provide ideas of how to use GP when first joining up?

There could be a great use here.

doris wrote:

I have a Polish housekeeper. She likes to yell at me that I don't do things the way she would like me to do them. I don't fire her because she is right. I stumble through life making mistakes, turning over tables, burning our dinners. I like the idea that I can always improve, do better, be better. Whatever is happening with your little community that would create such passionate discourse shouldn't be put on the back burner. Listen to one another. So what if the tables are turned over, pick them up together.

Doris, this is beautiful.

induce wrote:

I was joking before. Maybe all in all it has helped 'Newbies' in the way of the usage of this site, now that has to be good. James, could all your questioning topics be sifted to like I said, help or provide ideas of how to use GP when first joining up? There could be a great use here.

For one thing so many here think that rating mean nothing and are given out like candy. Do we explain to newbies that rating are not candy and there is a reason for being honest? For older members here that have been passing out candy for so long; how do you say it is time to stop passing out candy, that poets are getting the big fat head and it is time to relieve some of that swelling?

We have people who complain and yet never step up to the plate and block ratings. Even certain members of staff. Are ratings to important to GP in order to attract new members? Do poets that block ratings get ignored even by so called friends, when not even a comment is given? We have more to give on site than just ratings. I left a site called talkpoetry.com for not talking poetry, no one talked poetry. Storymania was another site I left to come here. Nothing measured up to GP then you have certain pricks, coming and downing poets for giving candy. I don't know if these pricks are trying to help GP or being self serving, by listening to their hog wash.

Why would a newbie give out candy for ratings? Get foot in door to make friends? Not get some fat head poet that rings their own bell pissed at them? Slams I do not like because of the lack of honesty, then I don't care how other poets waste their time or karma points, for what they do is their business and not mine. At the same time I don't want anyone to tell me I have to put my work into a poetry work shop forum to muddy the waters of my thoughts.

I have started not asking for ratings (candy) I have not stopped wanting comments even though I have gotten none. Frankly I don't care if one comes to my page and says, "shit" and leaves it at that. I'll take it for their truth.

All of these high and mighty elites need to put up or shut up. Don't like rating block what you don't like.

The question here is not the poetry, it is the candy and can GP survive without it? Or can the individual poet survive without ratings?

[quote="BrokenWordsPoet"]

induce wrote:

The question here is not the poetry, it is the candy and can GP survive without it? Or can the individual poet survive without ratings?

Of course a poet can survive without ratings, I'm doing just fine. I just don't see a purpose to them - if you want to leave thoughts on something I've written, write your thoughts. I don't have interest in ratings - it's all about sharing thoughts for me - otherwise I could write my ditties for myself in not sharing.

j.p.

[quote="JPerry1980"]

BrokenWordsPoet wrote:

induce wrote: The question here is not the poetry, it is the candy and can GP survive without it? Or can the individual poet survive without ratings? Of course a poet can survive without ratings, I'm doing just fine. I just don't see a purpose to them - if you want to leave thoughts on something I've written, write your thoughts. I don't have interest in ratings - it's all about sharing thoughts for me - otherwise I could write my ditties for myself in not sharing. j.p.

JP, just to clarify the quote about candy is not mine.

induce

The ratings argument has raged for ages, and I suppose it always will. The easiest and most pragmatic course to take is this:

1. If you hate ratings, turn your ratings off.
2. If you only like high rates -- well, good luck with that.
3. Make liberal use of Note 1; Else: quit whining.

Sorry if that seems rude but that's about as complicated as it is.

I don't write to validate my existence. Ratings are incidental to me.

In my opinion, comments are only a reflection of opinion and not the poem itself. 99% of the comments on this website have to do with taste instead of value and/or poetical merit. Therefore, you will find less meaningful comments, because they, most of the time, have nothing to do with personal experience of a similar experience relevant to the person's poetical topic.

Many poems on this website are scripts of catharsis, and because they are merely cathartic, it's hard for others to recognize their merit, because they are not fully extrapolated from the person's creative spirit; they are extrapolated from the person's state of mentality, reflected by a truthful experience without any artistic merit to it. If there is artistic merit, it is hard to be defined, because it's so incredibly personal, that the reader cannot find the underlying virtue behind it. Furthermore, creativity is mostly sought after people who can relate to your personal experience. Many surrealists from the surrealism movement (etc) are not exactly the most famous Shakespeare-incarnates of today, because they wrote about consciousness, dream-state, and Carl Jung-related ideas.

As for poetry writing itself, I believe it is best to write poems for one out of two reasons: catharsis; expression. However, when one chooses to write for catharsis, their personal experience may be ignored if the reader cannot relate to the message of their catharsis, because the idea is different than their own. There is a slight chance that a major difference may order one's opinion towards that poem. Majorly opposing ideas may trigger various comments: they may be pans; they may be complimentary statements. It depends on the subject matter itself, and how much your similar or different opinion is from the reader's or writer's.

Expression may go in any direction: it has a labyrinthine interface. It is sort of one of those beautiful things we can go anywhere with, open-minded, and highly-opinionated. The greatest paradox of writing freelance, is that you can write about how you have nothing to write about, which, within itself, can trigger various comments. However, it is best to write for catharsis or expression, because selfishly begging for comments is like begging for Christmas presents. Asking for comments is different: there's nothing wrong with asking for a friend's opinion, or even commenting a few to receive comments, because they may not recognize it. Also, ratings is a different story: ignore them, or just disable them based off your own personal views. You have that option.

FuchsiaFestival! wrote:

In my opinion, comments are only a reflection of opinion and not the poem itself. 99% of the comments on this website have to do with taste instead of value and/or poetical merit. Therefore, you will find less meaningful comments, because they, most of the time, have nothing to do with personal experience of a similar experience relevant to the person's poetical topic. Many poems on this website are scripts of catharsis, and because they are merely cathartic, it's hard for others to recognize their merit, because they are not fully extrapolated from the person's creative spirit; they are extrapolated from the person's state of mentality, reflected by a truthful experience without any artistic merit to it. If there is artistic merit, it is hard to be defined, because it's so incredibly personal, that the reader cannot find the underlying virtue behind it. Furthermore, creativity is mostly sought after people who can relate to your personal experience. Many surrealists from the surrealism movement (etc) are not exactly the most famous Shakespeare-incarnates of today, because they wrote about consciousness, dream-state, and Carl Jung-related ideas. As for poetry writing itself, I believe it is best to write poems for one out of two reasons: catharsis; expression. However, when one chooses to write for catharsis, their personal experience may be ignored if the reader cannot relate to the message of their catharsis, because the idea is different than their own. There is a slight chance that a major difference may order one's opinion towards that poem. Majorly opposing ideas may trigger various comments: they may be pans; they may be complimentary statements. It depends on the subject matter itself, and how much your similar or different opinion is from the reader's or writer's. Expression may go in any direction: it has a labyrinthine interface. It is sort of one of those beautiful things we can go anywhere with, open-minded, and highly-opinionated. The greatest paradox of writing freelance, is that you can write about how you have nothing to write about, which, within itself, can trigger various comments. However, it is best to write for catharsis or expression, because selfishly begging for comments is like begging for Christmas presents. Asking for comments is different: there's nothing wrong with asking for a friend's opinion, or even commenting a few to receive comments, because they may not recognize it. Also, ratings is a different story: ignore them, or just disable them based off your own personal views. You have that option.

Very interesting discussion and viewpoint.

there are 3 distinct issues. ratings; comments and votes on slams.


comments and interaction and sharing is the primary issue for me. and the reason i post here.

whilst i understand the original intent of the poem rating scheme (i think) which was that the 'top' poems/poets got some attention, that is now entirely nullified moprphing over time and simply causes more trouble than its worth, and not indicative of anything any longer of much value or worth. imho.

wylde wrote:

whilst i understand the original intent of the poem rating scheme (i think) which was that the 'top' poems/poets got some attention, that is now entirely nullified moprphing over time and simply causes more trouble than its worth, and not indicative of anything any longer of much value or worth. imho.

Agreed.

I am new here - and not one poetry site is any different from another - they all have cliques - somehow you have to find your place - either your liked or your not - but not everyone is going to give comments to your work - you have to accept that when you sign up - Edgar Allen Poe if he were alive today I doubt if he would even be here - or on any poet/writing site - he was a master - brilliant with words and could make them dance -
so all his time would be spent writng - every bit of it - so we are here - in the thousands - humbled that we - well - share in the hoping that our writing has a place - and some will like it - others will not - and that being said - not everyone liked Poe either - respectfully ^v^

Deleted_User_9824 wrote:

The poems are a major popularity contest with many poets losing out On comments because it's a friendship thing, I'm unsure of a solution though I just post and if I get two comments I'm lucky, this is common problem across The board. - how many registered users are there? do most people click thru without commenting Are there stats on Number of people who comment VS Number of people who click thru without commenting Or number of people who rate VS Number of people who click thru I'm just trying to work out why most Registered users don't comment Or do they? Stats can help understand what going on

I too find it perplexing. I am so grateful to get any comments or votes at all and thank everyone. But, if I get 5 comments for instance praising me, and 200 people view it and don't comment, you start to think, if the poem wasn't as good as you think, it highly underates it. This seems to be a problem on this site. Having friends , and vote for vote, much more than talent seems to be the thing. Especially in the slams I'm afraid. Pete.LOL .

TygerTyger wrote:

I am so grateful to get any comments or votes at all and thank everyone. But, if I get 5 comments for instance praising me, and 200 people view it and don't comment, you start to think, if the poem wasn't as good as you think, it highly underates it. This seems to be a problem on this site.

Why is it a problem? It is probably not as disproportionate as it seems..those two hundred views were most likely not from two hundred people, but a much smaller amount who viewed it more than once (including yourself).

Besides, isn't it a good thing to get your work read?

Here is a personal policy I have, and I rarely deviate from it..

When I comment, I don't rate. When I rate, I don't comment. I suspect others may do the same.

BrokenWordsPoet wrote:

I have not stopped wanting comments even though I have gotten none. Frankly I don't care if one comes to my page and says, "shit" and leaves it at that. I'll take it for their truth.

No you won't. You routinely delete comments containing dissenting opinions or constructive critique. I know this because you have done it to me a few times.

fogglethorpe wrote:

BrokenWordsPoet wrote: I have not stopped wanting comments even though I have gotten none. Frankly I don't care if one comes to my page and says, "shit" and leaves it at that. I'll take it for their truth. No you won't. You routinely delete comments containing dissenting opinions or constructive critique. I know this because you have done it to me a few times.

Hugh... Yes I do when I feel the comment is uncalled for and not commenting on the body of the work. Then your playing tit for tat without asking the reason why I deleted your comments (coming back rating me after not rating with your first comment because I deleted your comment that did not express your political point of view on a political write). Your problem was with the use of the word homophobic and idiots in my titles and expressing no other reason for your comment. My asking for a political point of view calling for debate and what do you do you come and decide to edit my use of language. Not liking the word Idiots in the title of the poem; Just a Thought... Idiots... Blame God. Or my saying; Gov. Chris Christie of New Jersey is a Homophobic. Think most gay people would agree which makes the title spot on.

I was willing to drop this but you continued your vindictiveness when you came back with a little vengeance to drop the star rating on my work only because you had the power to do so (slap me on the hand). Then you post this here; your shoulders must be heavy today or this is hate BWP day. I do not play tit for tat. I would not have done that to you. I would have been happy with no stars at all as with your first comment. I do want people to know you are not as vindictive as some that I have seen on site. A five rating is still a good rating and I will not lose sleep over it.

I do question this statement;

fogglethorpe wrote:

You routinely delete comments containing dissenting opinions or constructive critique.I know this because you have done it to me a few times.

Just what is your definition of routinely (According to routine or established practice) for I know of only a few times I have done so? Also are you guilty of deleting routinely comments that put a chip on your shoulder and would I be right in saying you do? I would not be right as you are not right with accusing me of routinely deleting comments.


You title your work and I will title mine. BWP....

I rated your poem a 5 because I thought it was average from an artistic point of view.

And for the sake of accuracy, below is my original comment that you considered so offensive:

Quote:

I say this as respectfully as possible: If you didn't open the discussion with epithets like "idiot" and "homophobe", more people would be likely to engage you.

You needed to hear it.

And I will not be participating in this ridiculous discussion with you any more. So spin all you want.

How do you block a rating? I did not know people did that?