Rule no. 1 of the forum. " Expect others may disagree with you - that is what a forum is about - ideas, opinions and discussion." - Quote

I'm all for robust discussion, and a forum where everyones opinion counts; no matter how unpopular that may be. Part of living in a country where free expression of ones opinion is supposedly paramount in our right of free speech. Yet when we have this little subtle system of green/red thumbs - giving approval or disapproval, it is nothing but a discreet form of censorship. By giving people the option to green thumb/red thumb a forum poster you them a power to legatimise (green thumbs up) or negate (red thumb down) their opinion - counter to the forum rule no. 1. If you want true free discussion Laurie get rid of the thumbs up/down - or should this remain a popularist forum where majority rules?

all the moderaters get aroused by the thumbs.

they secretly wish that they could holiday with a 6 inch fleshy thumb and that they could call it mavis.

that was me .

KazeRonin said...

Rule no. 1 of the forum. " Expect others may disagree with you - that is what a forum is about - ideas, opinions and discussion." - Quote

Yes, that is what the forum is all about.

If someone posts something that doesn't really qualify as an idea, opinion or discussion - like a rant, a prejudice based on nothing, an attempt to kill discussion or drag it down, a half arsed point of view that they haven't thought through... etc etc then they end up with a red thumb - because it's not what the forum is about.

A red thumb in itself is also an opinion and an expression of disagreement for people who aren't going to draft a long response - like I end up doing every time.

Welcome to seabreeze for your first (?) post KazeRonin.

>> Yet when we have this little subtle system of green/red thumbs - giving approval or disapproval, it is nothing but a discreet form of censorship

The thumbs give visual feedback, much like body language - not every form of communication is written or spoken.

Not sure I see the connection to censorship? .. i.e. posts aren't removed or promoted based on the status of the thumbs?

Greenroom said...

Another forum member has said these words and I quote...
"the thumb thing is a total wank and I believe it should be removed from the forum. the whole idea I thought was to post your thoughts and comments and ideas etc and if you have got nothing to say about a topic then just S.T.F.U !!! and move on. If you have something to say or don't agree then post it and have your two bobs worth - get some balls and get involved and stop hiding behind a mouse click on the red thumb. Why the hell are we given the option to vote with a thumb on what someone says - we aren't here for votes we are here for expression. To me the thumbs are just a w.o.f.t and detract from the topic at hand"
I agree with him 100%

somebody gave you a red thumb, I thought, gee that's a bit harsh, I fixed im for ya, and gave you a green one. Now you got none

Thumbs are good,.......... just try giving a hand without one it don't work

With a thumb I can say , I agree with that , if its green and I don't need to

repeat content. I don't suffer censorship pangs

With a red thumb i can disagree without giving a foul mouthed comment. Also

a green thumb can provide encouragement.

Red thumbs are for babys to suck. I'm for Thumbs

Mark _australia said...

mineral1 said...

Greenroom said...

Another forum member has said these words and I quote...
"the thumb thing is a total wank and I believe it should be removed from the forum. the whole idea I thought was to post your thoughts and comments and ideas etc and if you have got nothing to say about a topic then just S.T.F.U !!! and move on. If you have something to say or don't agree then post it and have your two bobs worth - get some balls and get involved and stop hiding behind a mouse click on the red thumb. Why the hell are we given the option to vote with a thumb on what someone says - we aren't here for votes we are here for expression. To me the thumbs are just a w.o.f.t and detract from the topic at hand"
I agree with him 100%

somebody gave you a red thumb, I thought, gee that's a bit harsh, I fixed im for ya, and gave you a green one. Now you got none

I disagree with his post but gave him a green thumb cos I like his hair

Look, Marks avatar is an avatar, who would have thought!?!

Can Laurie do a search on top 10 most green and red thumbed users. Like the weekly thumbed leaderboard.

Sorry Poida - Fail.

Mr Bean

laurie said...

....The thumbs give visual feedback, much like body language - not every form of communication is written or spoken....

Thumbs make the communication more, well, dexterous

Victor B said...

its better than giving someone the finger....

I recon the red thumb should the finger instead, now that would be funny [}:)]

Mark _australia said...

Hmmmm what colour would indicate sleeping........

Black.