"+1" Posts --- and the removal of them

[Mike Bobbitt]

As an example, I'm going to take this somewhere controversial...
What about the RIP threads?

IMO anyone who posts a +1 in a RIP thread deserves to have it deleted there too. In that context, I actually find it bordering on offensive instead of just useless. If someone can't take the time to write a one sentence condolence, then for the love of god, don't bother posting at all.

And let's be clear: we are only talking about deleting +1 posts here...  Not "RIP " or anything else. The line has been drawn at simple +1 posts so let's not theorize it out any further for the sake of argument.

 

[Sig_Des]

You know what, I've been hoping for a "+1" reply cleanup for a long time.

I make a statement. Somebody agrees with me, so they type two characters, and press Enter. Why do you agree with me? Do you agree with everything I said? If you agree with me, same as if you disagree with me, I'd like to know why.

I think of OPME's (or any school assignment really), where you are required to read an article, essay, whatever, and then respond. Can you imagine your mark if you just type "I agree".

You make a statement, you quantify that statement in a rational manner. +1 is not, IMHO, rational.

In addition, I want to be able to read actual responses to statements or arguments. Not 2 bloody pages of +1's.

What about the RIP threads?
That someone died may be news, and that there were many in and out of uniform to express their condolences goes without saying. I don't really think that pages and pages of "RIP" etc add a lot of content per se to what is ostensibly a news story, but I could never suggest erasing them. Obviously this is not where the mods are going with this, but does seem to me to be a very close analogue.

I'm gonna have to disagree with you here. I don't believe "+1" and "RIP" is comparable. Theres' not much to add, other than additional articles or personal anecdotes, than a condolence here.

When you're at a wedding, you don't congratulate the bride and groom by explaining why you are congratulating them. You just say congrats.

 

[armyvern]

... and here I thought there was "speech" in 'freedom-of-speech'!

Anyhow, what make you think 'freedom-of-speech' apply to a private website ?

The fact that DS are sometimes moderately moderating trolls, giving them lloooong ropes before banning them ?


I'M SO GLAD I AIN'T A DS.

Thank you Mike B.  !

And, I was just thinking (and responding to a like PM) that if folks are feeling "so entitled" these days that they actually believe that my deleting their "+1" (to someones else words!!) is infringing on their OWN freedom of speech -- it's high time for me to retire.  :

 

[Edward Campbell]

Off topic UFI:

The +/- system is used by Canada, and several other countries, at major international fora.

Canadian delegations (which can, in some important UN member agency conferences, have 50± members) have ‘position papers’ (SECRET documents that give delegates the details of what we want to achieve and our views on the public proposals of other countries). Members are, usually, given a ‘cheat sheet’ which lists every single item, committee by committee and sub-working group by sub-working group that has a +/- code beside each item. The aim is to guide delegates who may, at the last moment, be sent to a working group or sub-committee or whatever when the appropriate person (who knows the file) is unavailable. The cheat sheet codes are:

+2 = speak for and vote for the proposal or motion
+1 = say nothing at all but vote for the proposal or motion
  0 = say nothing and do nothing, but show up to show the flag
-1 = say nothing but vote against the proposal or motion
-2  = speak against and vote against the motion

Suffice to say it is very, very rare to find anyone but a SME and/or a responsible official at a +2 or -2 items, but, once, about 20 years ago, I found myself ‘free’ at a major international conference and the head-of-delegation hustled me off to a meeting of the budget committee with a five second verbal brief and a -2 position on an important issue. I tried to speed read the lengthy written brief but ‘Canada’ came up too early in the proceedings so I switched on my mic, took a deep breath and said something like, “Thank you, Chair; Canada regrets that the proposal by my esteemed friend from the Peace-loving Peoples’ Republic of Wherever is unacceptable.” A few minutes later when the Chair said, “All opposed” I waved my yellow CAN sign. I left the meeting still unsure of the problem we had just ‘solved’ (to Canada’s satisfaction, if I remember correctly) but in the head-of-delegation’s good books all the same.

 

[Shamrock]

And let's be clear: we are only talking about deleting +1 posts here...  Not "RIP " or anything else. The line has been drawn at simple +1 posts so let's not theorize it out any further for the sake of argument.

Thank goodness for that.  If posts were being deleted for being void of intellectual content, my post count would be in the negatives.

 

[FoverF]

And let's be clear: we are only talking about deleting +1 posts here...  Not "RIP Salute" or anything else. The line has been drawn at simple +1 posts so let's not theorize it out any further for the sake of argument.

Hence why I said

Obviously this is not where the mods are going with this,... nd I don't actually think this will be a big deal. I think the mods already know where I'm coming from, and will delete stuff responsibly.

And I'm certainly not one to go about trumpeting what 'rights' Mike B does and doesn't have to give us when we play in his house. But what  he does and doesn't let us do in his house has an impact on whether or not I want to hang out here. While I obviously don't feel the need to say '+1' very often, I'd rather be allowed to say it than not, that's all.

 

[Michael OLeary]

And I'm certainly not one to go about trumpeting what 'rights' Mike B does and doesn't have to give us when we play in his house. But what  he does and doesn't let us do in his house has an impact on whether or not I want to hang out here or not. While I obviously don't feel the need to say '+1' very often, I'd rather be allowed to say it than not, that's all.

No-one has yet said you can't "say it", but you are being warned that it may not be archived in perpetuity.  If you have something concrete to contribute that furthers the discussion, you may have higher expectations of your grandchildren finding it in an internet archive some day.

If you really feel the need to ensure your "+1" 's are all being saved and want to have more control, try this, or this (or any number of similar sites).

 

[fbr2o75]

No-one has yet said you can't "say it", but you are being warned that it may not be archived in perpetuity.  If you have something concrete to contribute that furthers the discussion, you may have higher expectations of your grandchildren finding it in an internet archive some day.

If you really feel the need to ensure your "+1" 's are all being saved and want to have more control, try this, or this (or any number of similar sites).

So, because he doesnt agree with you and has a differing opion, he should leave??

 

[Yrys]

So, because he doesnt agree with you and has a differing opion, he should leave??

OR he can stay AND created another web site to ensure that every post is keep ...

 

[Michael OLeary]

So, because he doesnt agree with you and has a differing opion, he should leave??

No, I did not say that.

He is fully welcome to create any website of his own choosing and to choose how it is run so that every single post he collects in his own server space is saved.  He has that freedom of choice.

 

[George Wallace]

So, because he doesnt agree with you and has a differing opion, he should leave??

:

That option is open for him.  If there is a site that thrives on "+1" posts perhaps he is on the wrong site here.

Of course, if people want to be taken more seriously as "professionals", a more educated pontification could be made.   ;D

 

[Mike Bobbitt]

Ok folks we're letting this get a little overblown. In post #1 of this thread, Vern said she deleted some +1 posts and might delete more if she feels they don't add value to the ongoing discussion. It's a simple as that. Nobody's cutting into freedom om speech, nobody's kicking anyone off of Army.ca. In fact we're not even removing posts with any real content. It's a simple administrative clean-up, and to make more out of it is ridiculous. Similar threads are merged, duplicates removed, and dead-end topics locked every day here, it's all part of the ongoing maintenance. This is no different.

I understand that some might be trying to feel out the "edge" of the issue by raising theoretical points to discuss. That's a valid approach if the intent or extent was unclear. Let me reiterate though:

+1 posts that provide no additional content or value may be deleted

That's the sum total of the issue here. No need for people to get up in arms about free speech or threats to move on. If there are truly concerns with the plan as outlined above, I'm more than happy to listen to and address them. Otherwise, let's please not stretch this into something it's not.

Thanks all


Mike

 

[McG]

If it is possible, the popcorn smilie post adds even less than a "+1" post (because, while useless in the long run) at least the "+1" gives a real time opinion in support of something).  Expect posts with nothing but one or two guys eating popcorn to be treated as per a "+1" and remember:

When someone feels this smiley is appropriate for a thread, they should be hitting the report to mod button and not make any posts.