X Marks the Spot

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tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,538
17,014
113
69
Tennessee
#22
pretty sure you're wrong.

'trophies' are meaningless - after you make 1,000 posts and receive 250 likes, there's no further 'awards' and they don't have any effect on anything. it's not even prominently displayed anywhere, you have to dig through someone's profile to see them. most of the people who were on the board when we migrated forum software automatically maxed out all of them. i think it was just a built-in feature of the forum software that couldn't be turned off.

the things on the front page are all sorted by 'most recent' -- as far as i'm aware there is no algorithm in the forum that 'promotes' posts threads or people that have a lot of positive reactions, and negative reactions don't do anything either.

of course, if i'm wrong, please correct me too :)
I miss the old Rep Power format. Of course, that can get out of hand too.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,422
5,361
113
#23
I miss the old Rep Power format. Of course, that can get out of hand too.

The problem with the old Rep System was that people could leave you nasty comments anonymously, which was running rampant. Some were also turning it into a type of video game in which there was a competition to see who could get the most "points" and then use their high "scores" as "clout" around the system. Both old and new users were mistakenly believing that those with the most Rep Points were somehow more important, had more authority, or were more correct in what they would say just because of their Rep Number.

As far as negative anonymous comments, I feel blessed in that I only got a few. But I also started to handle it by writing threads and making their comments public ("To the Person Who Just Said... In My Rep Comments.") I didn't ask to know who it was. But the mod did say that the person apparently had been there a long time, and had no other activity other than to leave something in my comments that basically said, "Shut up and go away" without thinking they would be discovered. And some people were being downright bullied by this system.

One of the blessings I've experienced on this site is that it's helped me to deal with negative feedback a bit better. Not perfectly, mind you, lol, but I've gotten better at asking God whose, and which, comments to take seriously, because we can't control anyone else's behavior. I even had a real-life job performance review in which my boss told me that I had scored very high on the reception of negative feedback (well, it was more like, I just learned to hold back, lol,) and I knew it had a lot to do with being on this site.

I'm truly sorry to those who experience having the "X" used against them as a weapon.

Back when we had the old system, I can admit to wanting to engage the anonymous feature as well. I'm sure I probably did years ago, as well as the occasional Red X in the new system. (Now days I try to limit it to joking with friends, such as if I put a Red X on one of Lynx's posts.) :D

But I know one thing God has convicted me of for a while is that He doesn't want me to 1. Say something to someone if I'm not willing to leave my name (in ALL situations, not just CC,) and 2. there have been times I've wanted to use the Red X, but for whatever reason, I can almost feel the Holy Spirit shaking his finger at me.

I don't always listen, of course.

But I also know that all I can do is keep trying to walk in the way that God is convicting me, and try my best not to worry about what others may -- or may not -- feel convicted of, or obey.
 

tourist

Senior Member
Mar 13, 2014
42,538
17,014
113
69
Tennessee
#24
The problem with the old Rep System was that people could leave you nasty comments anonymously, which was running rampant. Some were also turning it into a type of video game in which there was a competition to see who could get the most "points" and then use their high "scores" as "clout" around the system. Both old and new users were mistakenly believing that those with the most Rep Points were somehow more important, had more authority, or were more correct in what they would say just because of their Rep Number.

As far as negative anonymous comments, I feel blessed in that I only got a few. But I also started to handle it by writing threads and making their comments public ("To the Person Who Just Said... In My Rep Comments.") I didn't ask to know who it was. But the mod did say that the person apparently had been there a long time, and had no other activity other than to leave something in my comments that basically said, "Shut up and go away" without thinking they would be discovered. And some people were being downright bullied by this system.

One of the blessings I've experienced on this site is that it's helped me to deal with negative feedback a bit better. Not perfectly, mind you, lol, but I've gotten better at asking God whose, and which, comments to take seriously, because we can't control anyone else's behavior. I even had a real-life job performance review in which my boss told me that I had scored very high on the reception of negative feedback (well, it was more like, I just learned to hold back, lol,) and I knew it had a lot to do with being on this site.

I'm truly sorry to those who experience having the "X" used against them as a weapon.

Back when we had the old system, I can admit to wanting to engage the anonymous feature as well. I'm sure I probably did years ago, as well as the occasional Red X in the new system. (Now days I try to limit it to joking with friends, such as if I put a Red X on one of Lynx's posts.) :D

But I know one thing God has convicted me of for a while is that He doesn't want me to 1. Say something to someone if I'm not willing to leave my name (in ALL situations, not just CC,) and 2. there have been times I've wanted to use the Red X, but for whatever reason, I can almost feel the Holy Spirit shaking his finger at me.

I don't always listen, of course.

But I also know that all I can do is keep trying to walk in the way that God is convicting me, and try my best not to worry about what others may -- or may not -- feel convicted of, or obey.
I have been known to use the RED X as a joke too but rarely on a post that I did not agree with. The rep power system in itself was not a good indicator of someone's reputation, and a lot of members rep powers were very much distorted, including myself. I did enjoy the comments on the reps though and can't remember getting a nasty one but I know that has happened to others.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,422
5,361
113
#25
P.S. I meant to add, I'm not totally afraid of negative feedback, because I know it will come. We all have our own personalities and opinions, and they're not going to be for everyone. We all know that we'll never please everyone all of the time.

So I know strong, negative, and hurtful comments are just a regular part of life.

My only caveat is, I want someone to at least be able to have enough of a spine to let me know who they are when do it, especially since God holds me to that rule as well.

I don't know if this will help in anyway, but I've often asked God whom I should listen to when they speak to me negatively. After all, even David commanded his men to allow Shimnei to speak after he cursed David (of course, David also told Solomon to kill Shimnei as David lay on his death bed, but I guess that's beside the point here.) :ROFL:

My closest friends are also some of the people I've had the fiercest arguments with over the years. And yet somehow we worked through our differences, both good and bad. I believe this is one of the biggest discernments God has given me when choosing who to listen to: He told me, "If they are willing to bleed WITH you, then they are worth listening to, no matter how hard it gets."

I hope that maybe this might help others out there. Are the same people who are cutting you proving over and over that they are willing to stand with you and bleed when you do as well, rather than just inflict the injuries?

If not, maybe it's better to shake the dust off our feet and keep going, because they are going to keep doing what they're doing.

The only reason I've stayed on this site for so long is because several years ago, God told me that when things get heated here, He doesn't want me to look at the storm. Rather, there is a calm somewhere in the storm -- someone else to speak to who is listening, even if that in the person is someone who is just silently reading along with the thread. God often tells me, "Write your answer to THAT person, not to the ones around you."

To Kayla and anyone else who feels negatively targeted -- you are still speaking to someone, even if it's to someone who isn't speaking up, and you are still making a difference here. :)

God bless you. :)
 

posthuman

Senior Member
Jul 31, 2013
37,695
13,514
113
#26
I miss the old Rep Power format. Of course, that can get out of hand too.
it was neat being able to give a kind of personalized encouragement or explanation about how something someone posted was meaningful to me. and it was nice to receive them -- but at the same time i had the sense that, you know, i could just reply and say so, lol.
iirc some threads in the singles forum artificially ((wait - that's not really artificial, is it?)) pumped up a group of people's reputation points astronomically. not that reputation ever meant anything, really - it was just a number displayed under a person's name. i had mine turned off.

i was not aware people ever got nasty comments in the 'rep' thing. :(

the old format only had "like" tho -- and i do really appreciate the extended options. i remember when we first switched, seeing the 'disagree' and the 'angry emojis, thinking, wow, i don't think i'm going to ever use that. i still haven't used the 'angry' but after a while i did start putting 'disagree' on some things -- posts that i really do disagree with. i so always try to reply with what i disagree with, why i disagree with it, and what i think is the 'right' thing in the context.

i think i'll stop tho. it's probably better i just leave off reacting to something i think is wrong, and simply replying with what i think is the truth.

i've been 'victim' to floods of red x's too -- basically any post i make in the news section lol -- funnily enough in the 'not by works' thread when there were people making crazy profiles & not posting anything, just X'ing up the thread, i got several 'happy' responses from them instead of X's for the most part. i felt kind of blessed, thinking, hey, someone that was involved in that conversation didn't see me as their enemy, even if i essentially disagreed with whatever they were arguing, yay!
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,110
9,211
113
#27
Haha! I don't think I've given Lynx any reason to slap the x on me. And besides, my pupper looks like an Artic fox, surely a Lynx and a fox can get along? :p
Not unless we're both diving for the same rabbit dinner at the same time.

But my post seems to have had the desired effect. I figured many people would be very tempted to put an X on your first post, just for comedic effect. So I made the post which beat them to the punch, effectively dissuading the activity.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,422
5,361
113
#28
I figured many people would be very tempted to put an X on your first post, just for comedic effect. So I made the post which beat them to the punch, effectively dissuading the activity.
I should give you a big, fat Red X just for spoiling the party. :mad::p:ROFL:
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#29
is it 'red X or rid X?
either one, we think it is very 'un-kind=un-Christian', if not Biblical discerned/led to give...
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#30
Not unless we're both diving for the same rabbit dinner at the same time.

But my post seems to have had the desired effect. I figured many people would be very tempted to put an X on your first post, just for comedic effect. So I made the post which beat them to the punch, effectively dissuading the activity.
Brother, you're possibly one of the most mature members here at CC. My "Seoul" sister is another. The "oldandnew" my brother and sister, beautiful spirits. I could continue to name many of you. You have touched my life, uplifted, taught and encouraged me on my spiritual journey when you didn't even know you were doing so. For that I deeply thank you. Blessings.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#31
it was neat being able to give a kind of personalized encouragement or explanation about how something someone posted was meaningful to me. and it was nice to receive them -- but at the same time i had the sense that, you know, i could just reply and say so, lol.
iirc some threads in the singles forum artificially ((wait - that's not really artificial, is it?)) pumped up a group of people's reputation points astronomically. not that reputation ever meant anything, really - it was just a number displayed under a person's name. i had mine turned off.
i was not aware people ever got nasty comments in the 'rep' thing. :(


the old format only had "like" tho -- and i do really appreciate the extended options. i remember when we first switched, seeing the 'disagree' and the 'angry emojis, thinking, wow, i don't think i'm going to ever use that. i still haven't used the 'angry' but after a while i did start putting 'disagree' on some things -- posts that i really do disagree with. i so always try to reply with what i disagree with, why i disagree with it, and what i think is the 'right' thing in the context.

i think i'll stop tho. it's probably better i just leave off reacting to something i think is wrong, and simply replying with what i think is the truth.

i've been 'victim' to floods of red x's too -- basically any post i make in the news section lol -- funnily enough in the 'not by works' thread when there were people making crazy profiles & not posting anything, just X'ing up the thread, i got several 'happy' responses from them instead of X's for the most part. i felt kind of blessed, thinking, hey, someone that was involved in that conversation didn't see me as their enemy, even if i essentially disagreed with whatever they were arguing, yay!

I offer you a heart, just in time for Valentines. We don't agree on anything politically, but I think if you search you will find several likes and maybe even a "winner" on your posts from me. So we do have things we agree on.
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,110
9,211
113
#32
I should give you a big, fat Red X just for spoiling the party. :mad::p:ROFL:
I observe it does not affect my paycheck from my job, my family or my church... so go ahead. I don't care. =^.^=

Try not to make it TOO big and fat though. I don't want a lot of weight dragging me down on my bike.
 

seoulsearch

OutWrite Trouble
May 23, 2009
16,422
5,361
113
#33
I observe it does not affect my paycheck from my job, my family or my church... so go ahead. I don't care. =^.^=

Try not to make it TOO big and fat though. I don't want a lot of weight dragging me down on my bike.
Sorry, Lynxsus.

We just had to have at least ONE Red X in this thread. :D

Don't worry.

It's one of those shiny, mylar balloons filled with helium, it won't drag you down.

However, I can't guarantee that the string won't get caught in your tires. :ROFL:
 
Feb 28, 2016
11,311
2,972
113
#34
anyone who offers their HEART, is not only something that is surreal, but most importantly, REAL,
in our understanding of Yeshua's BOOK of LIFE...
:):)
 

Lynx

Folksy yet erudite
Aug 13, 2014
27,110
9,211
113
#35
Sorry, Lynxsus.

We just had to have at least ONE Red X in this thread. :D

Don't worry.

It's one of those shiny, mylar balloons filled with helium, it won't drag you down.

However, I can't guarantee that the string won't get caught in your tires. :ROFL:


Don't worry about that. I can finesse the string part.
 

Subhumanoidal

Well-known member
Sep 17, 2018
4,041
3,143
113
#36
In the past the reactions I received from people mattered more. But I got tired of that. Even the most agreeable and likeable people on the site still received them.
And more than once have I been followed around and received negative reactions. If someone is willing to do such a thing then it greatly diminishes the attention given to them or their views. Such a person reveals their character, and such low character shouldn't upset you so much.
If anything take those red x's as compliments from such people as you're better off knowing they are so dissimilar to you.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#37
Sorry, Lynxsus.

We just had to have at least ONE Red X in this thread. :D

Don't worry.

It's one of those shiny, mylar balloons filled with helium, it won't drag you down.

However, I can't guarantee that the string won't get caught in your tires. :ROFL:


From here on this is what the red x will represent here at CC. Seems pretty nice, just need two Os to go with it. :p



 

Roughsoul1991

Senior Member
Sep 17, 2016
8,828
4,472
113
#38
While I totally realize that CCs intentions were to give people several emojis to react with, things have lately been getting out of hand. I recall when the red x first popped up. I would use it only when I believed what a person was saying was heresy, totally against what the Bible taught. Then suddenly people began to use it not because they disagreed with a comment, but as a weapon. I had several people, who are now banned, that would follow me around the forum and red x anything I said, even if it was straight out of the Bible!! I pop in today and see someone has given me ten thumbs down in a row, and I wasn't even speaking directly to them!! smh Hey, you want to disagree, do so. But people are using these emojis as a weapon. I feel that's a misuse of the emojis. Anyone else feel the same way? Understand, I'm not saying people don't have a right to use it, I just don't think you should be allowed to misuse it simply because you dislike that person. There is a difference.
For every X ill give you a (y) to counter the X.

I have not had this problem oddly but I also choose to use the informative emoji which feels less hostile to me. I may disagree or think something is wrong but I still am informed of their beliefs.

If I did receive that kind of response, I would have to remember it is what I said that matters not the opinions of haters. If what I say is true then I must say it with the conviction to stand up to all opposition. At least we are not receiving death threats like so many pastors or Christians who have stood up against the LGBT or Covid tyranny.
 
K

kaylagrl

Guest
#39
For every X ill give you a (y) to counter the X.

I have not had this problem oddly but I also choose to use the informative emoji which feels less hostile to me. I may disagree or think something is wrong but I still am informed of their beliefs.

If I did receive that kind of response, I would have to remember it is what I said that matters not the opinions of haters. If what I say is true then I must say it with the conviction to stand up to all opposition. At least we are not receiving death threats like so many pastors or Christians who have stood up against the LGBT or Covid tyranny.

Thank you brother, but I think that is something every true Christian will be facing sooner than anyone thinks. I'm seeing this a lot lately here at CC, it mirrors what is happening in the country. I'm not going to dig into it here. But I think we have very dark days ahead, America has fallen into the hands of the radicals. May God be with us.
 
Nov 15, 2020
1,897
362
83
Newcastle, NSW, Australia
#40
While I totally realize that CCs intentions were to give people several emojis to react with, things have lately been getting out of hand. I recall when the red x first popped up. I would use it only when I believed what a person was saying was heresy, totally against what the Bible taught. Then suddenly people began to use it not because they disagreed with a comment, but as a weapon. I had several people, who are now banned, that would follow me around the forum and red x anything I said, even if it was straight out of the Bible!! I pop in today and see someone has given me ten thumbs down in a row, and I wasn't even speaking directly to them!! smh Hey, you want to disagree, do so. But people are using these emojis as a weapon. I feel that's a misuse of the emojis. Anyone else feel the same way? Understand, I'm not saying people don't have a right to use it, I just don't think you should be allowed to misuse it simply because you dislike that person. There is a difference.
clever title.
so you're not giving a clue to buried treasure ?