An idea for improving the “thumbs” feature

It's been said before, but it's worth reiterating; the 'thumbs feature' (and I refer here specifically to red thumbs) is clearly being used not to signal disapproval of what is written in any given post, but as an 'I don't like you' to the writer. Perfectly innocuous and uncontroversial posts receive a plethora of red thumbs, which foster a sense of grinding negativity in the forums, and mitigate against sensible discussion. Everyone has a right of reply to anything which is said. It's time to consign this much abused, now essentially meaningless and increasingly nasty feature to RHP history!

Yes. But no. But yes. But no. But Stalinism.

@fmf said
Good for you. Your analogy involving your choice not to object to something doesn't apply to me because I DO choose to object to something.

@indonesia-phil said
It's been said before, but it's worth reiterating; the 'thumbs feature' (and I refer here specifically to red thumbs) is clearly being used not to signal disapproval of what is written in any given post, but as an 'I don't like you' to the writer. Perfectly innocuous and uncontroversial posts receive a plethora of red thumbs, which foster a sense of grinding negativity ...[text shortened]... consign this much abused, now essentially meaningless and increasingly nasty feature to RHP history!

@moonbus said
You don't like the feature; Dive doesn't either; we get that. A few others have said they just ignore them; why can't you and Dive just ignore them? The feature shouldn't be removed just because two guys here keep complaining about it. Rather more than two other people like it. I know, this isn't a democracy, votes don't carry much weight here; it's site admin's call. I hope the feature is not removed just to please two complainers.

@moonbus said
This is not abuse of the thumbs feature. So certain posters have sown, so they reap.

@moonbus said
You don't like the feature; Dive doesn't either; we get that. A few others have said they just ignore them; why can't you and Dive just ignore them? The feature shouldn't be removed just because two guys here keep complaining about it. Rather more than two other people like it. I know, this isn't a democracy, votes don't carry much weight here; it's site admin's call. I hope the feature is not removed just to please two complainers.

@indonesia-phil said
It's been said before, but it's worth reiterating; the 'thumbs feature' (and I refer here specifically to red thumbs) is clearly being used not to signal disapproval of what is written in any given post, but as an 'I don't like you' to the writer. Perfectly innocuous and uncontroversial posts receive a plethora of red thumbs, which foster a sense of grinding negativity ...[text shortened]... consign this much abused, now essentially meaningless and increasingly nasty feature to RHP history!

Waning participation in RHP's forums may be expected when obnoxious posters are continually enabled.

Player bannings; post and thread removals are one thing: But the possibility of having anonymous feedback removed would be a placation too far.

@woofwoof said
Player bannings; post and thread removals are one thing: But the possibility of having anonymous feedback removed would be a placation too far.

@woofwoof said
Waning participation in RHP's forums may be expected when obnoxious posters are continually enabled.

@a-unique-nickname said
Or. Better idea... Just get rid of them altogether.

@divegeester said
Russ, you may have noticed that there has been some debate about this feature and I would like to make a serious suggestion.

The what:
- make the thumbing of forum posts only available to subscribers

The why:
- clearly it is a feature which many members see value in and that value can be commercialised
- the feature is currently rendered largely useless and fre ...[text shortened]... eat disagreements in the various forums
- the original intent of the feature is being made obsolete

@badradger says But Badge I thought Divegeester wasnt bothered about THUMBS!!!!!!!!!??????