A little while back, I noted, courtesy of Harry at Bull Runnings, that WordPress gave bloggers the option of implementing a “thumbs-up, thumbs-down” rating option for readers. I figured that I would give it a try, but the opportunity for readers to rate without bothering to make commentary is not in the best interests of the social Web… which blogging is part of… and it certainly doesn’t do anything to stimulate thoughtful discussion. To me, stimulating thoughtful and meaningful discussion is a major part of blogging for quite a few people, myself included. I received a one-star rating by someone in my most recent two posts (in response to my centennial plate post and the post about “Turncoat Virginians”)… and the trend continued (I’m guessing from the same lurker) with my comments (and a comment made by one of my regular readers). I would say that I could care less, but, actually it does matter… the one star without commentary doesn’t really mean anything. It’s nothing but a hollow expression of disagreement telling us that the anonymous person making the rating can’t actually offer anything worthwhile to counter the post. Sure, this person used this feature to show disagreement (I suppose to the extreme, considering the rating of one star). If one feels that strongly, he/she needs to clarify why… and more importantly offer thoughtful commentary that actually means something and offers something to the discussion.
Dropping the “thumbs-up, thumbs-down” rating option…
Posted on September 1, 2009 by Robert Moore
Posted in: blogging
Harry Smeltzer
September 1, 2009
I think I’m deep sixing the whole ratings thing because not too many of my readers use it.
cenantua
September 1, 2009
In a “perfect interactive world” of complete social participation, I can see the potential for the option. It offers readers another way to become involved in the blog. However, if everyone doesn’t use it, I can see how “strongly disagreeing lurkers” can use it to do nothing more than harass and annoy under the cloak of anonymity. It seems to be a bit counter-productive in blogging.
Craig Swain
September 2, 2009
Robert I had a similar experience when the feature first emerged. After one day of use, about twenty posts were rated. But it appeared the user was just “driving by” selecting buttons. Based on the “professional geek” tools and looking through the logs, the potential “lurkers” list was narrowed down. But as you say, it is all anonymous, and it would be improper to really confront someone about it. What’s the phrase? “Plausible deny-ability?” I think you are 100% correct, if the person does not have the guts to step out of the mist, then they shouldn’t be interacting.
I tend to like the implementation Facebook offers. You can “like” or “dislike” (no waffling there). And you are identified by name. So when you make your status “Just donated $1000 to CWPT to preserve the Port Republic Battlefield,” I can just select the thumbs up, instead of typing “I love you man…..”