Life in a Microscope

Boy. Everyone sure is examining Editors' reading/rating now! Ummmmm... Personally I am not really sure I would want the title (heh Aside from the fact that I wasn't going to accept the Expert title--the jury is still out on the new title) because I have kinda considered what exactly I am reading on the site to be personal. I am curious as to whether everyone who was asked to be an Editor actually accepted the position or if some were just drafted into it... If they were drafted (or even if not--were people informed that their ratings were going to be displayed), it is a little like rummaging through someone's sock drawer...

Yeah I am confident in most of my ratings and all but geeze, I haven't been rating a lot lately and what I rate, I usually rate HR. Is it really reasonable to examine everyones' rating history in such detail?

Ander

[amykhar]

Not everyone's no. But the people who want the benefits that the editor title provides - yes.

Amy

[AuntieEmma[$]]

Originally posted by anderclayton
it is a little like rummaging through someone's sock drawer...

That's exactly the feeling I had when I looked at a couple of the lists. Except the phrase that came to my mind was underwear, rather than sock, drawer.

[Redlass]

It is uncomfortable.

But Epinions has always been at least partly a numbers game. It had "stickiness" because we all liked to go there and look at our numbers. We analyze them to death.

This is just one more set of numbers to look at. Since there are fewer editors than there used to be advisors, it makes sense that those editors are going to feel more heat that the old advisors did.

Also, in some categories more than half of the advisors lost their hat (stick/title/whatever). There is going to be a period of resentment and head scratching. There are highly talented people who have contributed a lot to Epinions by way of rating, writing, etc. who no longer have the recognition they used to have. It makes sense that they are going to look at the numbers to see why those who were chosen were chosen.

I've been uncomfortable reading through some of the threads in here, until I finally had to laugh at myself. After all, I am not my ratings. None of us are. None of us are good or bad people simply because we choose to rate in one way or another (not that anyone has said that--it was simply how I was starting to feel after reading here).

As for Epinions, they will get what they reward. It is ultimately their call to decide what type of ratings are helpful to them as a site/company. We may not agree, but our livelihoods don't depend on it.

OK. I'll shut up now before I completely ramble!

Well... I almost said "closet and checking out the nudie magazines" but managed to stop myself

Oh. I just said it... Oops

Ander

Actually, I don't mind it. Too many people have accused me of only giving VHs to my friends. I've always told people to look at my ratings. In the past, the only way they've had to do that is to follow me around. Now they can save some time and effort and just look at my ratings.

Then they can bash me anyway, because typically my "friends" do get VHs. However, the reason why they get them is because they're good writers, and NOT because they're my friends. The reason that I choose them as friends is BECAUSE they are stellar writers.

The only thing that worries me is that I can see a few people who hate editors following them around to leave high ratings on reviews after the editor leaves lower ratings. They do this knowing full well that NO ONE holds a title forever, and eventually, their ratings will over-power the ex-editor's. That really reeks, and I'm positive that it's just a matter of days before it starts happening.

[shadow8]

Personally, I'm glad that I am neither a Top Reviewer nor an Editor. While these two coveted titles have their advantages, they also carry a lot of burden on your shoulders. Being a Top Reviewer means that you will (probably) have to meet a certain "quota" (or something to that effect) and write a certain number of reviews within a month or else they will threaten to "strip" you of your title. Does that sound like fun? Hell, no. For me, that sounds more like a chore. I don't wanna have to worry about writing a certain number of reviews in a month. I would rather take it easy and write as many (or little) reviews as time permits. It shouldn't have to be a burden to meet some dumb quota. Also, being a Top Reviewer can make you the target of unwanted scrutiny. I mean, seriously, do you want everybody else to be breathing down your neck? Does it sound like fun being accused of not deserving a title?

As for being an Editor, once you attain that title, everybody can check up on your recent ratings. While, I consider myself to be a very fair and consciencous rater (who admittedly gives a lot of VHs, but I also give a substantial amount of Hs and SHs, and NHs if the review truly sucks) I personally don't feel comfortable having everybody peeking at my ratings. Sorta like invasion of privacy, you know. I mean, wouldn't you be infuriated if your parents or relatives went through your draws and took a peek of your private diary?

Bah, being a peon has its advantage. Sure, you're a nobody, but at least you don't have to fend off the wolves. :p

-Shadow8