Dislike button.

[Corty]

Second try. I knew back then my original suggestion wouldn't go anywhere, so I'll try again with a different angle.

Can we add a "Dislike" button under reviews?

That's all, really. I trusted YT more when dislike was visible under videos; the same logic applies here.

 

[Voidiris]

That's my point too. The current system already has the same "issues" that are being brought up here. Just as Sailus said, I need to be convinced of the opposite to be against the idea.

And I already said that specifically to him, it's just a matter of conviction, I even said that this might help by creating the chance to push back against either from of review bombing or makes if both kinds of review bombings occur simultaneously it creates a greater chance of noticing.

 

[SailusGebel]

That's my point too. The current system already has the same "issues" that are being brought up here. Just as Sailus said, I need to be convinced of the opposite to be against the idea.

I'm not writing this with the goal of changing your opinon. We have different opinions, I disagree but respect yours. One of the reasons I'm against it is because I don't think adding more to the system helps everyone equally. It helps authors more than it helps readers. You can't "rally" readers to dislike or like certain reviews as a reader. You can do it as an author.

Does the current system has problems? Yes. Will adding this feature help with resolving it? No. So why add it? Rhetoric question.

 

[Corty]

We have different opinions, I disagree but respect yours.

We had this conversation on the old topic, too.

You can't "rally" readers to dislike or like certain reviews as a reader. You can do it as an author.

That is a valid point that I can see and understand why it would be looked at as problematic.

But my approach is that simply by looking at how it goes around the site rn, I don't see it happening, or I don't see it as that much different from what already goes on here. Authors can already rally people under chapters and on profiles if they want; an extra button wouldn't do much more harm.

Maybe I'm way too optimistic or trusting that it would be used just like the star rating system, with the same restriction behind the wall of SH code. From my point of view, it is already such a minor addition because most reviews barely get a few likes from the get-go, as users just glance over that option anyway. Same with liking a chapter. It would be used by 5% of the user base. Probably.

As for why I want it, then? Because I feel that it is an imbalance that we give authors the option in one place but not in the other to respond, which makes my mind tick and makes me feel its illogical AF.

 

[anonjohn20]

And how would he do that with a dislike button? Honest question.

Earlier you mentioned how an author can abuse their power and now you're advocating that they have more tools to do it (check quote below this paragraph). It wouldn't take much for an author to ask his most loyal fans to mass dislike any review he doesn't like in the footnotes of his chapters. You say that the current system has these issues, but you're asking for a feature that would make these issues worse, not better.

What about if an author creates alts, spoofs IP, and leaves fake 5-star reviews for himself?

the chance to push back against either from of review bombing

Review bombing is an exaggerated issue. Every single artist in every medium gets bad reviews and accuses the audience of review bombing.

 

[Corty]

Earlier you mentioned how an author can abuse their power and now you're advocating that they have more tools to do it (check quote below this paragraph). It wouldn't take much for an author to ask his most loyal fans to mass dislike any review he doesn't like in the footnotes of his chapters. You say that the current system has these issues, but you're asking for a feature that would make these issues worse, not better.

Maybe I am too trusting because I honestly don't really see the apocalyptic author dictatorship you guys are all speaking about.

Reading all these comments, it seems as if the site is already where readers have 0 chance of being heard, and their opinions are drowned in shenanigans and botted harassment campaigns.

Could the system be abused? Yeah, every system can be. Based on this fearmonger stance, we shouldn't have any rating system in the first place.

I didn’t say we have these issues:

I said that the opinion that a simple dislike button could be abused is already moot because if an author wants, he can do much worse than dislike spam a review.

Anyway, as I also said before, I do understand the point; I just don't see it being as apocalyptic as some of you.

Not that it matters because my guess is that it won't be implemented anyway.

Review bombing is an exaggerated issue.

I have the same opinion about your fears.

 

[anonjohn20]

I honestly don't really see the apocalyptic author dictatorship you guys are all speaking about.

I've only been using SmutHub for about a year and I could name 2 authors that try and censor reader opinions. One even deleted his story from this site (Becoming an AO3 exclusive) so that no one could see the comments here. Honestly, I know that you think I'm making it up, but I wouldn't be mentioning it if I hadn't seen it at all.

Not that it matters because my guess is that it won't be implemented anyway.

If it does, don't worry. We forum users will still love you.

 

[Corty]

Honestly, I know that you think I'm making it up, but I wouldn't be mentioning it if I hadn't seen it at all.

The reader bullying and mass harrasment. The fact that some authors move to other sites would remain the same with the option of a dislike button under a review. Because an author can simply delete arguing comments under their stories which I think is a bigger “problem” then having a dislike button.

 

[Tsuru]

I agree, all the stuff cupcakeninja likes getting bombed is sad time.

I fully support Corty's request. I think it's a useful, even essential, tool for determining the reliability of certain reviews.

+1 agree

I think it's worth the risk because that could deny authors who like bomb a good review that makes not really sense or just has a bad take.

Who do you think has less bias? The author who wrote the story and wants it to succeed, or the reader who started reading the story (at first he wanted to enjoy it)? I'm not that worried about a few unhappy readers because, usually, the positive ratings/reviews eventually outnumber the negative ones. I am however concerned with an author abusing his options to censor or discredit the readers who may have valid points.

Valid statements.
Then how about : Allow to reply from author ? (like steam reviews)

Earlier you mentioned how an author can abuse their power and now you're advocating that they have more tools to do it (check quote below this paragraph). It wouldn't take much for an author to ask his most loyal fans to mass dislike any review he doesn't like in the footnotes of his chapters. You say that the current system has these issues, but you're asking for a feature that would make these issues worse, not better.



Review bombing is an exaggerated issue. Every single artist in every medium gets bad reviews and accuses the audience of review bombing.

I've only been using SmutHub for about a year and I could name 2 authors that try and censor reader opinions. One even deleted his story from this site (Becoming an AO3 exclusive) so that no one could see the comments here. Honestly, I know that you think I'm making it up, but I wouldn't be mentioning it if I hadn't seen it at all.


If it does, don't worry. We forum users will still love you.

 

[anonjohn20]

Then how about : Allow to reply from author ?

That would lead to arguments. I love arguments; 10/10 idea.

 

[Tsuru]

That would lead to arguments. I love arguments; 10/10 idea.

BUT at least it allow to counter-attack.

Its like a tribunal. It allow the "victim/attacker" to give their points. If one is not allowed to talk, THIS is bad. (and what is currently is happening)

 

[anonjohn20]

BUT at least it allow to counter-attack.

I fully agree with you as long as the reader can counter-counter attack, and the author can counter-counter-counter attack, and so on. 10/10