Chapter likes... and you (want some?)

So, after recently learning that I'm not allowed to 'like' the chapters I write, I've come up with a new idea. You see, the site mods have apparently decided that you're only allowed to rate the chapters that you didn't write, because apparently giving your chapter a single 'like' was too much power for the authors because 'reasons'. I'm done trying to argue/debate this topic. I've given in to their discretion. Now I've got a new idea. Reciprocal Chapter likes / ratings.

Give me a link to your story, I'll read it and like every one of your chapters. All I ask is that you do the same for me.

Now, there's a lot of authors on this site so I may be biting off more than I can chew. If it gets to be too many, I may have to scrap this idea. And if you've got a long story or lots and lots of chapters... well... it takes time. And if you don't give my story reciprocal likes... meh... I'll figure something out. Also, I may be promising to rate / 'like' all your chapters, but that doesn't mean I will or won't leave comments... like if it's a great story, I'll prolly say so. But on the other hand if I see some glaring plot holes or grammar issues I may comment about that too.


I believe this falls within the rules. I'm just reaching out to other authors for review... and promising the same for them. I just promise you'll 'like' my results.

Here's mine: https://chyoa.com/story/Laboratory-Fun.6727

 

Yeah, but ... what's the point?

 

To make their like number bigger. That's literally the only purpose of this discussion and probably a stupid attempt to somehow get back at the mods for not getting their own way in the previous topic.

 

Some people want chapter likes. Some don't. The rules have apparently been changed because of 'reasons' which I don't fully understand. That's fine. Other than that, maybe it's my futile attempt to fight back against a system that changed in a way in which I dislike. So, I fight with likes. Freely given, and asked for in return. What point would you like there to be ascribed to a given 'like' of a chapter? Does it matter?

Maybe so... But a like is a like...

 

I don't like this idea because reasons.

 

Sorry, both of you, i was just playing cat and mouse, sort of...
The the point was perfectly clear anyhow.

 

Hey don't get me wrong, i don't like your idea.
On the contrary i think that people behaving like you are the cause why rules exists and need to be constatly tweaked.
Just saying ...

Feel free to go on, anyway, just cut the 'fight the system' crap, would you?

 

I just want to remind you of something you said:

But hey, in the interest of getting this method off the ground, go ahead and rate the stuff off I've got on the Kaitou1412 account. Sure, it's not my writer account, but hey, Likes on forum posts count just as much. It's not like I've ever broken a promise before - how else would I have become such a successful politician? If you still don't trust me, you can confirm it with my five ex-wives and the mistresses I cheated on them with. And if you never doubted a word of this, then this system is perfect for you.

Seriously though, why go through the trouble of a faith-based system? Just register a second account. Jack your stories that way. And then you can see first hand why we did away with self-Liking and banished those who abused it via sockpuppets. Witness first hand how quickly one Like per thread spanning a whole story starts to add up.

Or better yet, consider your own conclusions (take note: at the time I'm writing this, Laboratory Fun has 166 chapters):

1.) Suppose for a moment 10 users agree to Like your story. Now, for the sake of argument, let's say all 10 of these volunteers also put up 10 166 chapter stories, and that none of you have Liked anything the other has written yet. Supposing you kept your promise, 1660 Likes on others' work in exchange for 1660 Likes on your work, each of the 10 users would receive 166 Likes while you received 1660 Likes. More simply, your story received 10 Likes for every 1 theirs received.

2.) Suppose for a moment someone puts up a story that currently has 40 threads. They'd receive 40 Likes in exchange for giving 166 Likes.

3.) Suppose for a moment someone puts up a story that currently has 1000 threads. They'd receive 1000 Likes in exchange for giving 166 Likes.

Do any of these situations sound fair to you? And I'm sure there are more ways this idea doesn't achieve the reciprocity you claim it does, but I've already devoted too much brain power to addressing this.

 

I don't care about fairness just as much as you don't care about fairness. And I'm very clear about what I'm offering to do for anyone that wants to get some 'likes' on their story. Seems pretty fair and upfront to me. They can even message me privately if they don't want everyone to know.
And yes, maybe I am doing this to prove a point. But why do you care?

 

Did you just make an assumption about me?

Yes, you present it as an equal partnership while you in fact clean up on the deal. Basic misrepresentation.

So rather than present the obvious solution to the first problem, you instead want to abolish any possibility of fixing it? Okay, fine. I enjoy when people snap my traps, but please, ignore it. I was just going to call attention to poor forethought, but I'm more than content to draw back my bow in the interest of letting you express yourself as self-serving.

And what point would that be exactly?

Hold on, I asked you first.

 

Because seeing someone complaining that he can't cheat anymore and openly proposing another way to cheat the system is pretty irksome?

 

Hey, Hypnoticus? I know you write a lot of stuff I'm not into, but I'm with you on this:

"Those who would sacrifice essential liberty for temporary safety: deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~ Benjamin Franklin.

I won't like EVERYTHING, but I'll like all I can.

And before you all get up in arms: I'm already 'over cap' on likes, they get me NOTHING in terms of trophies, here or on the main site, this is just me making a statement about how you have decided to let the actions of a deranged few cause hardship for the responsible many.

 

I don't see hardships...

Not liking your own stuff is beyond basic. Might as well allow a goalie to kick the ball into their own goals. Makes no sense.

 

So you would support bringing back the dislike button but only for your own content? Because that's basically what happens when a goalie does this in every sport which has them that I'm aware of.

 

Lulzy.

 

Not really the best quote, sounds almost like a threat to me.

In arms? You're the one epicizing this petty squabble.
You want to make it sound like you're fighting for freedom, but you want just to get your little own gain.

Trading likes? What freedom would be that? What kind of self expression? That you feel like buggering a freshly made rule that you don't like?
I dind't see an upraising when this decision was taken, so it wasn't percieved like unfair by the community, wasn't it? So, exactly, why are you doing this?
And don't you dare say freedom...

Self-voting is not equal to freedom of speech and has nothing to do with it, please stop making this absurd association.

 

Just enlighten me to one thing: what is essential about the freedom to self-Like?

Now see, if Hypnoticus had simply requested this sort of action - Like what you enjoy - and removed any sort of connection to the loss of previous abilities, no one would have cared. It would have been Like farming, to be sure, but the core of it would be to use the system as intended and only requesting more people actually use it. However, the request was for Likes regardless of the threads' merits in protest to a site ruling.

Besides echoing Loeman's point (What hardship?), let's remember I'm the only one who mentioned this should be done because of the trolls. The remainder voted in favor due to the hollowness of the action, the fact that most creative content sites don't allow this ability so many would not know they could click the Like button, and the fact that if it were to be made common knowledge most people would simply click it anyway and eliminate any relative value of these Likes while cursing those who take a moral stance against such action - all sentiments I find sound, by the way.

 

I realize I am about to foolishly provide 'reasons' once more, but here goes.

As an author on the site I find all this talk just silly. It reminds me of participation ribbons or Stuart Smalley staring into his mirror saying "I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and doggone it, people like me." Just let the readers like what they like. It's easy and it is how the system is supposed to work. This isn't a contest.

As a reader any talk of gaming the like system really annoys me. When I rediscovered the site a few months back all I really had to guide me to the good stuff was the likes. There are thousands upon thousands of stories on the site, there needs to be someway to let the cream rise to the top. For me the like system is for the readers, not the authors.

If I want to read a movie review I don't go to see what the director or the actors in the movie think about it. I couldn't care less, they are too close to it and too invested in its success. Perhaps we can have a separate self like system. Maybe a big green check mark that indicates "The Author really likes this chapter of theirs." I am sure the readers would quickly learn to ignore it, and probably wonder why it was there in the first place.

 

This is a good idea: it gets my +1: I would encourage you to submit it!

 

This might be a crazy idea but has anyone suggested that the like button actual allow the author to see who clicked on it. The author can click it and their name appears in green(or any colour) and anyone else's name, so in the years to come they can see a list of people who agreed with him on the chapter. Just tossing it out there, to show how the like system could be changed into some form of information the author could use!