What should be done about this?
By gardengrrl
@gardengrrl (1445)
United States
June 20, 2007 3:59pm CST
From mylot discussion guidelines, "DO's" section: "Make sure you search for existing topics before starting new discussions."
Now, I have always interpreted this to mean, if I do a search on the term "abortion" and find existing discussions where my opinion can be expressed, I'm supposed to accept that somebody thought of it before me and support my fellow myLotters by adding my response there. This is true, right?
I mention the term "abortion" because I have come to suspect that some people are abusing this very hot-button issue to inappropriately, if not illegally (in myLot terms) boost their earnings. There are probably other terms being used the same way, but abortion is the one I happened to notice. Some people start discussion after discussion on abortion... what the heck for? Accept diminished earnings that day, if you can't think of something catchy to post. Don't start discussions on topics that have been done ad nauseum, and that are extremely painful for some people just for a few pennies in your pocket!
So, what do I do? I believe that it would be appropriate within the guidelines to report discussions like this, but I don't want to get into a pissing match with folks who may be reported in this fashion. I have heard that some members once tried to form a myLot police department for this purpose, but it didn't work out for some reason. I don't want to set myself up as it's successor, but I'm fed up with struggling to be creative and trying to earn within guidelines while I perceive others as milking it by posting in violation of guidelines.
What should be done? The only answer I reject outright is, nothing.
3 people like this
7 responses
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
20 Jun 07
I have unwittingly posted a coule discussiona similar in the topic as someone else. If that discussion comes to my attention and they have posted it before me I will respond and apologize. Often these discussions are not tagged the same so they wil not apprear in a search. If I see a discussion that is an obvious copy I will report it otherwise I think there it too much pettiness going on with reporting abuse! It's likes kids saying I thought of it first..no you didn't I did... etc. I really don't care who earn 1 cent to boost their earnings that is myLot's business not mine.
3 people like this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Exactly so, Heather, there's definitely too much pettiness. I don't want any part of that mess! I've seen your apology to somebody when you inadvertently post a similar topic, very nicely done. Sometimes, it just can't be helped. As you point out, search can be unreliable, with people choosing their own terms.
Thanks for stopping by!
1 person likes this
@sunshinecup (7871)
•
20 Jun 07
I do what I do, I report them using te "!" to the side and I say nothing to the offenders. I report it and then let Mylot handled it. I don't know what else to do, other than try to put a diffrent spin on the discussion you would like to post. Just because there are tons of dicussions on abortion, doesn't make them all the same. I have one from 5 months ago asking for those against it to say why without the use of religion. It was on abortion, but it was diffrent.
Anyway hope this helps, take care.
3 people like this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
21 Jun 07
LOL... keeping my mouth shut is such an alien concept to me, your response was definitely helpful! That's the best idea, you're right. Why post in something I think should be deleted, anyway?
Actually, your discussion sounds like one of the few genuinely original takes on the topic. I have no problem with that. I just have to be careful to make sure I know what I'm talking about before I report someone in this way.
Thanks for the good response!
2 people like this
@bonbon664 (3466)
• Canada
21 Jun 07
I agree with you. There are sooooo many duplicate topics. People don't do a search that's for sure. I miss out on a lot of earnings becasue I'm sick of responding to the same topics again, and again.
1 person likes this
@retardedrugrat (4791)
• Canada
21 Jun 07
I've seen those Abortion discussions and as someone who's had an abortion, and for a genuine reason, I've responded to every one of them.
I know they're probably going to get deleted, but I can cope with the loss of a couple of cents in order to get my point across.
I do feel that some of them though should be reported, there was a discussion on this topic yesterday that I found rude and offensive and I did hit the report button. There's no reason for us to have to say anything to the offenders about us reporting or even why we're reporting them.
1 person likes this
@babyangie27 (5176)
• United States
20 Jun 07
This has happend to me several times where someone almost word for word posts a dicussion just like the one I posted.
I tried responding and telling the poster what they had done. Most of the time they would ignore me and some would apoloize because they didn't mean to do it.
I think there should be some kind of way to "police repeat offenders of this. Everyone makes mistakes but if they are doing it over and over again there should be something done.
If you happen to come up with anything and need help I would be more than willing to do so. Great dicussion!
1 person likes this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Now, that's really rude! If you pointed out to me that I had done a discussion just like yours, I would definitely owe you an apology. Anybody can make a mistake, but why compound it with bad manners?
Thanks for your offer, and your reply. I will definitely keep you posted if I can figure out how to do something without making more problems than I'm trying to fix!
1 person likes this
@ErasmusNova (86)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Since Im relatively new here....I didnt even know their were guidelines...but I can see your point. Abortion, Iraq, and a few others always have hundreds of discussions on them. I reckon the earnings thing is per individual. personally I dont start any discussions unless Im real fired up about it. Im not doin this for money, Im doing this to finally give my friends a rest hearing me talk about the same stuff over and over(usually very loudly) Unfortunately though, it seems Mylot has fallen victim to raw capitalism. Any trick to get a buck. How would the "police" thing work anyway? Im curious.....
1 person likes this
@gardengrrl (1445)
• United States
21 Jun 07
Not sure, but SKSouth is one of the people involved in the first one. He's a pretty cool guy, I imagine he'd talk about it in a pm if we asked.
LOL... the guidelines are useful, I put a lot of time and thought into my writing, as you do, too, and I'd rather not waste the effort by putting up something that gets deleted. Sometimes people report other people's stuff out of spite, not because it's really bad, so it's good to avoid having your stuff laced with an incidental violation that will get it cut.
@stormygrl (761)
• United States
21 Jun 07
I never search and only read the first few replies when answering. Topics are always going to be brought up and who cares,if you don't like it(not u personally)just don't answer. There's only so much one can discuss. I feel there is too many pages to have to drag through so jus t post the topic.
1 person likes this
