We Shall Not Be Moved!!!

United States
April 19, 2008 3:39pm CST
Recently there have been a rash of members star ratings dropping, including mine. There are a number of theories why, but the most plausible I have seen is a troll or a group of trolls going around and rating people negatively no matter what they say. Some people are getting depressed by this, thinking there is something that they have done wrong. Some are thinking of leaving MyLot, seeing that their hard work is going to waste. Others are not really concerned, because a star rating isn't really important. What these trolls really want is for us to leave. They have found some bone to pick with us, and instead of intelligently talking it out, they choose to be cowards and attempt to chase us off by attacking our ratings. I know that the star rating doesn't mean anything in the big scheme of MyLot, but I have to stand up!!! I am mad as hell that they are doing this, because I have done nothing but bring value to this site. This is to all the trolls that have been rating me and my friends negatively. YOU WILL NOT GET ME TO LEAVE!!! It doesn't matter how many times you rate me negatively, or how low my star drops!!! I love this site, I love expressing my opinions, and I love earning for them!!! I don't care if my star disappears. I will still be here. I have been here for fourteen months and I still will be here tomorrow, the day after that, and every day that I have time to come here and participate!!! Do your worst trolls, I SHALL NOT BE MOVED!!! Instead of wasting your time and energy worrying about me, maybe you should post some good content on this site for yourself. Then maybe you will get some earnings, some friends, and a life!!! All of you who have been plagued by these trolls, post here. Let these people know that they are wasting their time. Show them that you will not be moved as well!!!
30 people like this
40 responses
@gemini_rose (16264)
19 Apr 08
Hello you, I love it, what a speech, it deserves a round of applause, *stands up to applaud* I admire your spirit and lets hope all of the friends that you are referring too, come and read this and gain strength and fighting spirit from your words!!! Hey at least if the star disappeared then no one would have to worry about it no more!!
8 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
It just had to be done. A lot of people are losing their spirit of wanting to be here because of this. I am tired of seeing the discussions asking questions about it, and saying that they no longer want to come here; all because of a few ignorant people who have nothing else better to do than follow us around and rate us negatively. These are cowards, and I hope they get the message too!!!
6 people like this
@ruby222 (4847)
20 Apr 08
I agree!!!! wholeheartedly...you know Rose that my star rating dropped....and now well ..im just a 4 !!...but I gave this some thought...and came to this conclusion...did it really make any difference????...and the answer was NO. The site has some lovely topics of conversation...its `normal` or as normal as anything can be!!!...on the whole the topics cover things that suit the young to the old.....and the content..unless marked as being mature...is good and clean and often so funny!!! Im a relatively new member...and I like to sit and write here for a while... The ratings really are immaterial...if you are doing something that you enjoy..thats the main thing....
3 people like this
@gemini_rose (16264)
20 Apr 08
This is so true, and to be honest when you are a regular person on a site like this then people get to know who you are, and they do not judge you on a rating they judge you by what you contribute and how you contribute it. I never look at a silly little star and think "Oh they are only a 4 they must be rubbish I will not answer to them" I never look at the star at all, if I like what a person is doing then that is all that matters to me!!!
2 people like this
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
19 Apr 08
I was one of the first people on Mylot to get hit by it. My friends were coming along to console me because it was really hurting me. Now the same things have happened to some of them. I am not happy that it has happened to my friends, but I do not feel as bad, knowing that it is not just me who is being picked on. Now I do not pay the star ratings much attention at all any more. This site is paying me for my opinions and I am learning from others. Like you said, there is no way in the world a negative star rating is going to run me off. I am a little too stubborn to be moved that easily.
@Rozie37 (15499)
• Turkmenistan
20 Apr 08
No, I was at 92 when my star first dropped, it dropped twice so far and has not went up again at all. The reason that I say stubborn is because a lot of people think of me that way when it comes to the things of God. I was thinking about the scripture that says, "Having done all to stand, stand there fore."
2 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
I am not that well-versed in the bible, but that is a good scripture for this situation. We will "stand therefore" together!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
19 Apr 08
I am glad I am not the stubborn one. I refused to be hurt by it either. I know that I was here doing the right thing, so my star dropping had no bearance on what I was doing or my feelings about the site. I also see that you are on your way back up, didn't I just see you with a 7 a couple of days ago? Great job!!!
4 people like this
@Ohara_1983 (4117)
• Kuwait
19 Apr 08
your right my dear, if they love to put negative i dont even are because i will not lost anything, for me what i understand & what i feel i will tell them, it will hurt them or not but this community is free for all not just put them a negative because you dont like them, common guys be friendly to all co-mylotter dont make your head round but nothing inside.
• United States
19 Apr 08
I completely understand. You should only rate people negatively if they are doing the wrong thing, if their discussions are derogatory, or against MyLot TOS. Not because you don't like another person's views about things. Its really getting ridiculous, and someone had to say something. Luckily I have a big mouth and type 60 wpm lol.
5 people like this
@lucy02 (5016)
• United States
19 Apr 08
I don't think I've been plagued by them yet. Truthfully I don't pay much attention to the star rating. Like you say, it doesn't affect our pay. I don't know why people are so mean spirited about things.
6 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
I figure these are people that are mad that they can't earn like us. We have these same people in life. They aren't doing well, so they don't want others doing well either. I am glad that you haven't been affected by this, and I hope that I haven't led them to you by you responding to this discussion.
6 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
i am well aware that a good many dont care for me or my oppinions here however oppinions are something we all have and i have no intention of leaving under any pressure I love the site so much
• United States
19 Apr 08
Great Rev!!! I made this discussion for people just like you. We need to show these people that what they are doing isn't helping them at all, and their goal will not be reached!!! Hey, I started a MyLot protest lol.
5 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
19 Apr 08
So well said! Brilliant! Offline and online people behave the same. Offline these are probably thinking they are great because they are bullying others. Here they think they are great because they are doing negative ratings. You couldn't have said it better! The star is just like clothing, you change it frequently so if it changes colour, who cares? I feel so sorry for people who behave like this and as you suggest they should start doing something worthwhile and EARNING for themselves! This so far hasn't affected me but even if it should in future it will not bother me in the least and I shall always be HERE!
5 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
I am glad that you have so far been unaffected by these cowards hiding behind their negative ratings. I made this not only to raise the spirits of those affected, but to show these trolls that what they are doing is ineffective.
5 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
19 Apr 08
When it gets round to being my turn I shall do as I do in my offline life - pick myself up, brush myself down and start all over again
4 people like this
@Lindalinda (4111)
• Canada
20 Apr 08
I really don't have any idea what the cause of star rating drops is. For the life of me I cannot imagine people going around and doling out negatives to other members. What would be the purpose? Earnings are not affected and a lot of people don't pay attention to the ratings. Crash also said that when people who do this and are detected they are banned. It is said that it is the Mylot community that rates the posts. Does this include the moderators? If so are they unduly harsh? Is there a glitch in Mylot that makes the rating drop? I have noticed myself, once my star dropped it took a long long time to come back up even though I never entered controversial discussions. I have a friend on Mylot whose star rating is 1 and has been at that since last fall. This person posts few discussions, is very knowledgeable, has never had a warning from Mylot or was ever banned, has tons of best responses yet his star does not move. Luckly this friend does not care about the rating. It seems to me there are drops in rating on a regular basis and posts reacting to these drops on a regular basis. If there are gangs of trolls I think they sit back and really enjoy it when people get all steamed up about it. To sum up, I think the whole thing is a mystery to me.
• United States
20 Apr 08
kam MyLot encourages everyone to rate FAIRLY not to go on a spree and just rate everything positive.
4 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
If you notice Kamran 12 response added to your comment on the above response. You will see how a person can be a troll but in reverse by marking 800 responses positive of his friends and then having the never to explain how easy it is. To mean this is just the same as cheating and defeating the purpose of the so called star reputation.
3 people like this
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
20 Apr 08
whiteheather39, I wish you had a positive mind, were not so judgmental, and had read guidelines, before calling out on others! I have shared above how mylot encourages EVERY member to rate. Mylot also instructs to read ALL the responses before responding to a discussion. Read FAQ, chapter 8, for reference. Now 'IF' YOU don't do that, then it's YOU who are going against guidelines and are cheating, not the one who is doing things within framework of guidelines! Have a nice day!
3 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
Here is one of my reasons why I do not think that the trolls are entirely to blame for the problems in the star system. If the star ratings are computed on a percentage basis. We are led to believe this is achieved by fellow myLotter rating discussions and responses then for example. If a person has 5,000 points and a 7 star they would have to lose 10% to drop to a 6 star. This would take 500 negative ratings!!! I do not believe even a dedicated troll would invest so much time to do that. PLUS surely this would send off an alarm to myLot admin(???) and they would put a stop to it. These facts are what makes me think you that there is something higher (myLot admin perhaps) at work here on the fluctuating star scores. I have given this a lot of thought over the past year and I dropped down to an 8 about 9 months ago and it would require 20% to get me back to a 10 and to do that I would need at least 1760 (+) ratings...an impossibility.
4 people like this
• Canada
20 Apr 08
You raise some very good points. I have thought about this a great deal also and come to the conclusion that the answer cannot simply be trolls. You have been here a long time also and you may have noticed that these drops occur periodically. Since there is no financial loss when the star drops I cannot imagine people spending hours hitting the minus button when they cannot inflict any monetary loss and by wasting their time hitting the minus button they themselves cannot earn any money either.
3 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
Kamran12 Sorry but I disagree with your response for the following reasons:1. Post count does not equal rating count. The basics for the star is to achieve 100 points which equals 100% a 10 star There are too many members who do not rate at all, according to their own statements. That would mean that a person having 5000 posts may just have 1000 rating count. On the other hand, a person having only 1000 post count may have over 5000 rating count-this person would then have a 10 star as they had more than the necessary 100% perhaps you would like to confuse the situation more by awarding a GOLD star for those who go over 100%. This is especially true for users who actively participate in their own discussions and get many responses and then ratings too.- Makes absolutely no sense 2. THIS REALLY SHOCKS ME! YOU ARE INFLATING YOUR FRIENDS RATING SCORES!! THIS IS REVERSE TROLLING. SHAME ON YOU! DO YOU ALSO DO THE SAME WITH NEGATIVE RATING ON PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT YOUR FRIENDS? SHAME SHAME SHAME!. Here is a user, a friend of mine, who had around 4500 posts and his star rating was targeted such that his rating dropped from 99 to somewhere 93. I gave him 800 (yes, eight hundred) positive ratings and his star number was raised by just 2 points. Similarly, a user who had 440 posts, I gave her around 150 pluses and some other users did the same. That means that she got around 200 pluses. Still, her star number rose to just 2 points. Similarly, this discussion starter was given at least 100 pluses yesterday, of course much before the cut-off time, but her star rating rose just 1 point from 63 to 64. 3. CAN I NOW EXPECT MY STAR TO DROP TO ZERO BECAUSE YOU MAY GIVE ME 800 NEGATIVE POINTS..... YOU MY FRIENDS HAVE TOO MUCH TIME ON YOUR HANDS.
2 people like this
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
20 Apr 08
Hello whiteheather39, While your theory is seemingly plausible, you are taking few assumptions that may not be true. 1. Post count does not equal rating count. There are too many members who do not rate at all, according to their own statements. That would mean that a person having 5000 posts may just have 1000 rating count. On the other hand, a person having only 1000 post count may have over 5000 rating count. This is especially true for users who actively participate in their own discussions and get many responses and then ratings too. 2. Mathematically, according to your theory, a member having just 500 posts can be raised or lowered in rating by 10% by just 50 ratings, either plus or negative. My experience dictates that it's not true. Here is a user, a friend of mine, who had around 4500 posts and his star rating was targeted such that his rating dropped from 99 to somewhere 93. I gave him 800 (yes, eight hundred) positive ratings and his star number was raised by just 2 points. Similarly, a user who had 440 posts, I gave her around 150 pluses and some other users did the same. That means that she got around 200 pluses. Still, her star number rose to just 2 points. Similarly, this discussion starter was given at least 100 pluses yesterday, of course much before the cut-off time, but her star rating rose just 1 point from 63 to 64. 3. You would have also observed in the course of time you have spent here that star rating comes down easily but rises up very slowly. Based on all of the above, my theory is that our rating is positive percentile of total rating count. This theory satisfies all the above problems including a sharp fall and slow rise in star number. Mathematically, it s very easy to understand this if our rating is positive percentile of total ratings.
2 people like this
@callarse1 (4783)
• United States
20 Apr 08
Hey honey drknlvly6781, I'll add you as a friend, okay? Well, when I started here I started out with a low star rating (2). It was because I participated in the debate section and some myLot users didn't agree with my opinion so they gave me a negative (-) rating, which sucks. I agree with you, "I SHALL NOT BE MOVED". You aren't going to take me off mylot for giving me negative ratings, and according to the myLot rules they watch us if we are giving negative ratings for no reason...so it's all another reason to get your account banned. So I totally agree... Pablo
3 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
That is great!!! Thank you for standing along with us Pablo. This is a site for the opinions of everyone, its not fair that just because we don't agree on something, a person wants to rate us negatively for our views. That is not what the rating system is for, and I just had to speak up about it!!!
2 people like this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
19 Apr 08
Well, I am glad that someone else sees this the same way that I do. I don't care if my star rating goes down or not,I am not leaving the site. I love it here and I like the friends that I have and I love earning on here so I am not leaving! I will stick with you on this and I will still be here tomorrow and the next month too. It will take more than this to make me leave.
4 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
Thank you for joining my movement carol lol. I just want to show these people that are the cause of this that their efforts are for naught, and the ones that are affected by this that they are not alone.
3 people like this
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
20 Apr 08
Hello drknlvly6781!:-) Very well written, expressed and communicated! I appreciate your spirit and would like to see the same from those who have been hit by some people who don't have guts to challenge and debate in adult manner! You are right that if those members who are being hit leave the site then the purpose of those behind the veils will be met, as per their wishes. The best way to defeat those trolls is to remain what one is and voice opinions openly, frankly and the way they used to do before. Leaving the site would be like a victory to cowards, and no one should let them win. Star rating means zilch to me, personally, and I wouldn't care less if it comes down to 0. I have been hit many times and now it's something I take pleasure in as I laugh at those who think that they are doing 'damage' to me! LOL!
4 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
Not only that Kam, how much do you want to bet that a lot of these people are the ones that are crying that they can't earn here on MyLot? Maybe if you spent more time creating content, instead of negatively rating others, you could make payout!!!
4 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
Yet another good friend come to join my protest lol! Thank you for responding and letting these people know that we will not be going anywhere just because they have too much time on their hands and a negative attitude. I refuse to let these haters win!!!
4 people like this
@kamran12 (5526)
• Pakistan
20 Apr 08
They do seem to have a lot of time at their hands. And, while they seemingly amuse themselves on the results of their 'tireless efforts', they have to bear the pain of being named as cowards as they don't have guts to voice their opinions openly, LOL!
3 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
All the power to you and I seriously admire you. This is awful what they are doing to you and I think that you are strong enough to hang in there and like you said, you will still be here tommorow. I am not moving either because this site is wonderful and I have met so many wonderful and loving people. I am not going to stop coming here and having fun just because of certain people. Take care and be strong.
4 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
I thank you for your admiration. I have always been a strong person when it came to something I believe in, but I have seen less strong people here talking about leaving. I want these people to gain strength from what I have said, and continue on in participating in this wonderful site. If these people succeed, then all we would have here is the post counters and cowards. Where would we be then?
5 people like this
• United States
19 Apr 08
Yeah I know and some of these people talking about leaving are probably the ones that start the most interesting discussions. I would hate to have some of these people leave because i've had a few laughs here and so much fun that I can't even begin to describe.
4 people like this
@skinnychick (6905)
• United States
19 Apr 08
I could care less about ratings myself...Mine has been higher and lower and I trust that my friends will come through and lift me right back up!
4 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
Its really not my ratings that have got me cheesed off. Its these people that are messing with them unnecessarily. These people are ruining the spirit of MyLot, just because they don't like the opinions of certain people. I know that my ratings will eventually go back to where they should be, but these cowards need to be called out and this trend needs to stop!!!
3 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
Your right girl!! :)
3 people like this
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
19 Apr 08
drknlvly I am with you and in a state of shock I was a seven now I am a six,last week I was an nine.so you lilly livered trolls out there, hear this. I am not leaving neither are my friends leaving I enjoy being here and am going on being here so you just as well might hang up your minusing finger and mind your own business. Get a life and do something positve for a change instead of trying to hurt others. I am furious with you as you are acting like children and spoiled brat children at that. If I could spank the lot of you I would do it with glee. I repeat I will not be moved so go play your games somewhere else.
• United States
19 Apr 08
You aren't the only one ready to get a belt and go after these childish something-or-anothers, but since the rating system works in their favor, we don't know who is doing it. But they will definitely see this post, and hopefully take it to heart. I know some will just rate this negative, and keep on going, but I really hope I reach a few, and let them know that this isn't what MyLot is for.
4 people like this
@sharone74 (4837)
• United States
23 Apr 08
BRAVO AND WELL SAID. You have vey elegantly and eloquently let it be known. I think that this whole flaming ratings thing is a nightmare, who do these people think that they are? It has obviously worked on someone to make them continue to try other people. They like to be part of a clique because this helps them to identify and define themselves as human beings. They don't realize how little all of this even this site, matters in the grand scheme of things. They tried me early on , apparently found me a bit gristly or chewy and gave up. For a while I stayed away from the site but then I decided that I too was not going to give in and cede my outlet to these little monsters. They are like cockroaches, you turn a light on them and they scatter but as soon as your back is turned their disgusting butts are right back on the counters and in your stuff.
• United States
23 Apr 08
Roaches, that is an exact description of them. They do their dirt in the shadows, and when the light is shown on them, they scatter. You are better than I am, because I wouldn't stay off of here just to satisfy them. They will get my glaring look every day I have time to be here.
1 person likes this
@mrsjbelle (1640)
• United States
24 Apr 08
I got a giggle out of that one Sharone74
1 person likes this
@Shaun72 (15959)
• Palatka, Florida
20 Apr 08
I agree with you. Whoever is doing this needs to grow up and stop. My rating is almost back to a 9 but I could really care less about my rating. I am not going anywhere either. I have been here for almost 2 years come this November. I have stuck it out this long. I think this will pass eventully.
• United States
20 Apr 08
This too shall pass, well put Shaun. You must have gotten in the habit of not looking at your rating. You are a 10 and I am glad that you have risen above these childish people who have nothing better to do. I can't wait until this passes for all of us. Hopefully this discussion will show them that all they are doing is stoking the fire for our determination to be here.
3 people like this
@itsmepinky (1300)
• India
20 Apr 08
wow what a speech. i am sure they feel threatened by now and are planning to leave this place. LOL. i have rated your post as positive :) ~pinks~
3 people like this
• United States
21 Apr 08
Thank you, but I hope that you rated it positive because you liked what I had to say, and not because you want to help my star. We have found in earlier responses that its just as bad to rate someone positively to help them, as it is to rate them negatively just because we don't like what they have to say.
2 people like this
@Katlady2 (9904)
• United States
20 Apr 08
***clapping very loudly*** Bravo! Bravo! I couldn't have said it better myself hon! I have no plans of leaving mylot either, no matter whether my star rating stays the same or goes down. For me it's all about the friends I have made here. I've been here for over a year myself. I have too much time and love invested in these friendships to up and desert everyone now. For those of you that want us to leave....GIVE UP NOW!! It's not going to work in your favor!
3 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
Thanks Kat, this is exactly what I wanted to do. Its not about my star really, its about banding together and show them that their resistance is futile!!!
2 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
21 Apr 08
Hello there my friend. I think you have written a very good discussion. My heart truly went out to all the veteran and new users out here whom have lost their star ratings drastically. I was going around and seeing lots of discussions on this and my first line of thoughts were that there is someone or perhaps a few bunch whom are going around doing this. Surely, the system would not automatically reduce ratings just like that, and to think of it, most good users who have been contributing well and good were the ones affected. I'm not sure how long I would stand with this blue star rating, but I too do not care, for the quality of discussions is what I'm looking for. Though it's certainly a bit hurtful to be losing your ratings overnight after building it up for weeks or months, I think the best conclusion would be that these Brady bunch won't last long in mylot for the spirit of most of the members here are really undeterred! Good post and I've given you a + for this brilliant discussion. Take care and have a nice day.
• United States
22 Apr 08
Hey Zed, thanks for the rating, but what I appreciate more is you commenting and standing with us. I really don't think this is some system glitch, because its only affecting certain people, a lot of them strangely are my friends. So it either has to be a discussion that we all responded to, or someone has gone down someone's friends list and stalked us all. I hope that your star remains, but I am glad that you will not turn away if it doesn't. Thanks for responding and standing with us in this fight!!!
2 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
22 Apr 08
I'm now a 9 star, right a few hours after this discussion. That's pretty accidental, if you ask me. So, if you ask me, I'm definitely with you and the others.
2 people like this
20 Apr 08
lol, a couple of days ago I said I smelt a ratings war. I guess I was right. All we can do is stick together. I don't usually rate at all unless someone's post REALLY speaks to me, but for the last few days (since I've noticed the plummeting) I've been actively hitting the plusses. *wonders about her own rating* It was a 9 last I looked...
3 people like this
• United States
20 Apr 08
I actually missed that comment, but you called it right on the nose. You are still a 9, so don't worry. I usually rate everyone's posts positive, because I feel they deserve it if they took the time to give a well-thought out response, whether I agree with it or not. The only time I give out negatives is for responses that have nothing to do with the discussion, or derogatory statements. If I see a discussion that I don't like, I just don't do anything with it. Ignore it and move on.
2 people like this