uh oh ... the "like" feature has not been removed ...
as Brother Skuder says ... it's been expanded ... and we've embarked upon a path we've never been before
Members can now leave "negative" critiques via the "like button area"
we're 17 years old and i've never let us leave "negative" critiques in this regard
i thot long and hard on it ... initially was going to go the way we always have ... no negative critiques
but that's just not realistic ... even with me wanting us all to only think positive ... everything is not positive
additionally ... negative critiques have their place, can play a positive role if it helps someone improve
allows them to see how others feel about their commentary ... in a big picture sort of way
one might adjust if they see that 29 others think their contribution looks like a violation (for example)
it also gives us a way to encourage self-moderation even more ... as we'll look more closely at comments where many in the family are feeling like a violation may have occurred.
the truth of the matter is ... even without these negative "like button" critiques ... folk here will let you know anyway ... if they disagree, don't like what you said, consider it false, inhospitable, disrespectful, etc.
this new system also brings to the forefront a few of our 13 rules ... kinda keeps them on the table if you will
they are very important and a way for the Family to weigh in on when they think a Member is close to the edge
now ... we ... Moderators ... won't act immediately on one person thinking a Member "violated" and marking it accordingly ... but if 29 Members mark a post as a violation ... that will weigh heavier, play a part in the Moderating decision making process, etc.
generally ... when a Member thinks another "violated a rule" ... it's usually not the case ... as managing / moderating in this community requires more than a cursory, surface view ... but sometimes Members get it right ... and there is in fact a violation ... but it doesn't rise all the way to the level of the Moderating TEAM acting on it ... well ... this is a Member's way to speak to these "violations" ... that they feel are occurring.
additionally ... we can build into this where there are consequences for the one receiving the "violation" warning ... i just haven't gotten that far yet ... and don't know if i'll use it because the consequence is not something we'd normally do ... like make their "negatively rated" post invisible
while i've always wanted us to be positive toward each other, encouraged that in every way possible ... being able to maturely accept negative critiques is a necessity of life ... and after 17 years of building a very positive foundation of positive engagement ... i think it's time we add a real life dimension to this ... and see just how mature we really are ... how balanced ... how real ... by being able to accept what the world does actually give and bring ... a balance of positive and negative critiques
we shall see how it goes
let me know if you have any suggestions
we can always cancel it all if need be
but i think we can handle it
at least i hope
Loving Us!
Destee