To respond or not to respond: That is the question!

When I see a discussion and I have a different view from everyone else, I will respond anyway even though I had never had a "controversial" discussion. It helps keep the topic going and more interesting. I don't think it's against the rules to give a negative for a different opinion, just as long as you're not offending anyone.

I too have seen this-- I have responded to many "deep" discussions with different views of the person who posted ths discussion--- I saw my rating go down- Heck I just saw it hit 10 again-- It's been a 9 for months! I'm ok with it though- I can't control myself- If I see a discussion that really interests me-- no matter how I feel- if it is different than everyone else- I'm going to state my opinion- I won't be rude- and I'll try my hardest to get people to see things my way-- Its just the way I am. Can you imagine if we all agreed here on mylot?? How boring a site this would be-- Now if we could just get people to rate us with a + because we answered their question honeslty-- that would be just great! Don't stop responding!

i always respond in these cases thats what keeps the site interesting to me if everyone on here agreed dont you feel it would be boring ?i do !

It depends on what kind of mood I'm in. Somtimes I just let it go, but in a few topics there's a lot of misinformation and I can't help but type what the truth or a different view is. My rating has dropped a lot since I've voiced my opinion on a few things, but oh well! We can't all have the same thoughts and I think that's great!

People here have different views, but we MUST all remember that everybody is entitled to their own opinion. We cannot easily drag someone else to believe on what you believe. If you saw that your views is different from everybody on the same discussion, dont question your reasoning, maybe you're in a basket full of rotten tomatoes and you're the one who accidentally fell into it. If they rate you negatively, then its fine, its just a number..what the ONE above who rates us matters most. Go and participate on controversial issues, it's FUN!

I respond and say what I feel. Everyone is entitled to an opinion and to express that opinion. If people are so petty as to rate you negatively simply because they disagree that is on them not you. I think all things come full circle and you'll get good ratings from others to make up for it. If people are actually doing that to you or anyone else, I think they will get negative ratings in return. It sounds like mylot.com has a good rule about it, and hopefully people will be adult enough to follow the rules. I'm not one to let others intimidate me, and their ratings won't keep me from expressing my true feelings. Do what you think is best for you. :o)

Oh I always have to respond. Just like in "real life" I can't keep my mouth shut if I don't agree with something. I'm not worried about my star rating going down - if people want to give me a negative rating for disagreeing with them then so be it. I don't think your star rating makes any difference to your earnings anyway so it doesn't really matter that much. I'm actually surprised my rating hasn't gone down (it drops from time to time but never enough to go a different colour) because if I have something to say I will say it. The discussions that usually get me into trouble are the ones about religion and I have noticed whenever I post to a discussion like that my rating starts to drop. Really if people don't want their views challenged then why post discussions in the first place?

In those kind of discussion I can feel a more rush to respond.. lol.. I don't really care if they will give me negative rating as long as I can voice out what is my opinion regarding the issue I will tell it..but of course in a good manner just to avoid heat up or any debate.

I respond to a discussion regardless of whether my view differs or not to the popular opinion. My rating doesn't mean a thing to me, so quite frankly, if people want to rate me negatively thats up to them. I will not bow down and suck up to people just because they want to feel good about themselves. People need to remember that when they post discussions on here, they're opening themselves up to both sides of the discussion, and they have to take the bad as well as the good. There is no way they should rate people negatively for not agreeing with them, but they do anyway. They see it as a personal attack against them and thats why they hit the negative button. Let them do it. A one point loss here and there is not going to kill you.

How do you even know that your view differs from others? You might have seen the responses already posted, but surely there will be others behind, after you have posted. As long as you put your differing view tactfully and in a non-provocative manner, I guess it is ok. Just say what you want. :P

To me Of couse i will respon to that discussion and i will tell my own view, don't be affraid to tell your view, just someone will rate you but it does mean you just agree to all discussion. Just write as long as you can to answer that question and if you have different view than other and you need to critic something please just talk about that and not go to other subject like critic some person personality. Critic or diffrent view sometime make new way of think and can make new idea of it also can be positive if it's is doing in right way.So not only in giving respon need skill but in write the other view from other also need skill because maybe all people with the same idea but just only you with the different idea. Happy writing

Sometimes I respond to this discussion if I have a different view from everyone else.Sometimes if I have no time,I skip the discussion.

my opinion is not to response to the thread anymore. It's not easy to change people's mind and opinion. You got no benefit eventhough you manage to change them. Isn't it?

People rate your posts on various things, so you may not be rated just because you differ from others. However, if that is the case, then I guess a member here has to decide what's more important...their rating or their ability to voice their opinion. If you are worried about it, then perhaps you can leave alone the more controversial subjects and stick to safe topics. Good luck to you.

I will respond but will nicely tell them why I feel the way I do. I also try to see their point of view and give them things to think about.

i generally responds to the discussions that i like. my answer may have different view with others. I think ur rating went down as somebosy gave u negative rating. But i'm not very sure about that.

you are right ...but rules are there to follow ...one cant do anything about that fact ....well this speech will let to a long decission on freedom of speech resulting in no consequence of the problem ....be yourself ...what you are and what you want to be but respect other as well :) ...!

Well. I do have one answer to your question: Yes. Ofcourse i will respond to the discussion, even if every body's opinion is different from mine. This is a discussion site, and the whole point of it, is discussing things from different points of view. I would never ignore a discussion or react differently, because people have a different point of vie. But i will try to write the best quality response, which is logical, without running down other people, or hurting their feelings. That is important. And, i am sorry to here about your rating going down, i do not think that there are people that rate your response as negative, just because it is different then there's. Usually people rate a discussion negative, if a person abuses or writes down only a one line response. There is a lot of freedom in the mylot website, and i do think that it is the right thing to do. I am sorry if there are people that are taking advantage of it, in the wrong way.

whether or not i agree with others, i will respond to the sicussions. this is not a debate. we are just giving out our ideas. i think we have complete freedom to do so.

I do respond to a discussion even if my opinion disagrees with the other responses. If I feel that I have something to say then I will certainly not hinder myself. Of course I also make sure to do it in a manner that surely will not offend the thread starter and the other respondents. I know that I may not get the best response rating but I also do not want a negative rating.