Reputation system preventing debates??

In my opinion it is not the reputation system which is causing the some to fear a real debate but the lack of respect. It is absolutely possible to have an exchange of opinion without lowering tones and beoming hostile. I have great friends here who have opposite views from mine and this is why we became friends in the first place - they have no fear of saying what they think. This is supposedly an adult site and as adults we should be able to state our opinions, whatever they may be, using terms and phrases that do not insult or abuse others and therefore we should have no fear that others, actings in a childlike manner, would abuse the rating system. In every community online and off there will always be those that do abuse the system but surely they should not be the majority?

Hi Aravinkrd, I have to admit that by nature I am not a person given to debating with someone. I like to learn about the views of others, and tell them my views on something. But when it comes to debating I find it hard to understand when someone is yelling at me and trying to change my view, or is just being honest and teaching me something. That is more to do with how I am made though, than how people are towards me (I hope anyway!). I will admit that on mylot I have always been nervous about posting anything that could start debates. I ask questions in order to learn (and have never once regretted doing that) but since I am new I am still feeling the place out before I start posting things which are likely to create some controversy. I hope I won't ever post anything that will do that, but there are things I want to ask that could, and so I am cautious about them. I think the ratings do have something to do with that, though less now than they would have last week. I am probably more afraid of ending up hated than anything else though lol I guess in short I am afraid of starting a real debate, but mostly because of my personality rather then the star rating system of mylot Dranz

It's not the system. It's people abusing the system and it's people not understanding the system. Some people are just incapable of having a civilized debate with somebody they disagree with.

Hi aravindkrd, I would never agree with an opinion I did not agree with but am wary of entering the arena of yes people in case I then get jumped on, my opinions are just that I don't see the need to explain how they came about. It is impossible to have a reasonable discussion with someone who is indoctrianated and attaks and I have seen istances of users threatening to negative rate someone for differences of opinon, which is pathetic plus against the guidelines, so I'd rather stick to discussions with the people who can be discussed with in a reasonable manner. Today I gave a best response to someone who I disagreed with on a discussion as he contriuted best to the discussion without any resort to anything less than perfect manners.

if that would be the case, then the issue is on the part of the one responding and not the one who posted the topic. having different views are better coz eventhough we may not agree on each other, still, we may learn something for that matter. let's get it on! :)

Well in my opinion the rating system is fine. There's no rule that says we cannot debate here. The faq also says that we can't negatively rate posts we don't agree with. We use the negative button only to posts that are not useful and give negative impacts on mylot comunity. If this rating guide is properly followed, we still can debate in a healthy way.

aravindkrd we are not supposed to fight or insult each other no'mattrer how much we may want an open discussion. mylotters' often steer away from controversial topics because they have at one'time been mistreated by some one with an opposing view. its fine' to have an opposing view if you just state it and be polite to those responders who have a different view than yours.Its not stars or reps or best responses its being insulted by those who opposed your view. nobody deserves to be insulted for joining in and giving their own view point or opinion.

I always say what I think! I dont mind if people dont like that I have my opinions and im intitled to express them, if they then feel the need to - my post thats fine im not here to see how liked I can be im here because I enjoy the discussions and most of all a good debate. I have been known to annoy a few people in my time I dont really care if they can not be mature enough to realise that sometimes people disagree then dont post on a public forum! Although to be fair im like it with everyone I say what I think to everyone but friends family etc i tone it down so as not to offend im not nasty just opnionated and I think thats ok!

I try to avoid the debates, as they will sure cause a person's rating to drop to the bottom. However, I am still losing ratings for one reason or anohter. I had a 10 the day befsore yesterday, and I logged on yesterday morning and it was back to a 9, so I know that someone didn't like my responses, and I got zapped. I didn't let it bother me to much, but it still isn't fair, as I do don't do that to others, but I get ti done to me. The rating system has really been abused lately and it would be better if we didn't even have it. There are some users that must love to give negative ratings for no reason and they aren't supposed to do that, but they do it. They don't realize they are hurting themselves as well. They need to be nicer to others, as that is my opionion. Good luck to you and happy mylotting.