GATHERing Momentum...Only To Be Slapped Down - We All Become Losers In The Long Run

      Why do some people have to be so down on others?  They just can't leave well enough alone.  Instead of trying to bring others down and destory their efforts, maybe the should take that energy and attempt to improve themselves; whether it be in their writings on Gather or their own personal lives.  Are they that self-loathing?  Are they really so jealous of others?  Have they been a failure all their life and they just can't stand to see others succeed?  I'm talking about the ones on Gather who feel compelled to thwart the good work many of us do...by crushing our creativity and rating our articles with a "1" when everyone else thinks a post should be rated a "10"!!!

      The image attached to this writing isn't directed at anyone in my network; nor is it pointed at the vast majority of Gather's writers.  It's going out to those who feel the need to practice these types of childish antics.  Ultimately, though, we all become losers in the end because their immaturity affects our success.

      Being an active contributor for just 5 days now, I have been on a Gather high!  I have been so excited participating in something I thought was the best thing that came along since sliced bread.  Well, at least since that slice of bread I toasted for breakfast Wednesday morning.  I started with one person in my network, my best friend, Scott...and I was in just one group, his.  I had just a handful of points based on rating his articles and pictures.  I didn't know what to expect, but he was so encouraging, I was compelled to give it a try to see what happened...and to make him proud. 

      In just four short days, I now have 45 in my network.  I don't refer to you as people because you're not.  You're so much more that that...you're my friends!  I've recieved a couple invitations and am now a member of 4 groups.  And my point total has shot up to 280.  I even discovered the daily/weekly/monthly rankings.  I'm extremely happy to note I have managed to make it into the Top 75 each day in all three categories: Highest Rating, Most Read and Most Disgusting...err...Discussed.  I was even more thrilled to discover yesterday, after only four articles and beginning in the middle of the rating period, I had actually made it to #70 on the week's Most Read list.

      Just to set the record straight, I'm not doing this to become one of what I've learned are called "Point Whores".  (Not to say the points and good ratings aren't an incentive.)  I did this to be able to express myself somewhere it will be appreciated.  I did this to maybe help someone with my words...make them smile, comfort them, encourage them, be a good friend to them, show them they're loved.  I continue doing this because I still think, despite the fact Gather needs to work out a few more bugs to hold those accountable for their bad actions and to protect those who are good so they won't be penalized, because I believe...I believe in Gather, I believe in you and I believe in me.

      It was exhilarating to find so many thought well enough of my work that I had such high ratings...10's on three of my days and a 9.9 on the other.  I have been spending a bit of time on Gather each day reading and responding to the articles I'm alerted to; rating them and trying to contribute comments on the works I'm notified about...even interject some humor if I can where appropriate.  Then, as I was going through my list one final time before retiring for the night last evening, I was shocked to see my ratings had tumbled on all my articles.  It was quite apparent someone had simply gone through and given each of them a "1" rating to knock my numbers down.  Now, if I write something that isn't up to par and reeks of "This sucks!", then I deserve a "1" rating and have no problem recieving that kind of critique.  But when others are telling me they enjoy my writing and think my work is good and are giving me ratings of "10"...well, you tell me what's wrong with this picture.

      When I discovered what had transpired, I just happened to be on line chatting with my best friend.  So many emotions came flooding out and I began to spit and sputter to him; flying off the handle and even threatening to delete my account and leave Gather.  I was feeling hurt, disappointed, enraged, disgusted...Rob was pissed off and seeing red!  I was on such a tear, Scott "hung up" on me in mid-conversation.  (Not like that's never happened before and won't happen again.  Best friends battle sometimes, but we're close enough that once the storm has calmed down; we "kiss" and make up.)

      I sometimes have knee-jerk reactions, but when I stop and think about things and "sleep on it" as Scott tells me, I come up with a rational plan.  Sure, I could simply walk away and let that loser become a winner by defeating me.  I could let him (or her) beat me to the point that I now become a loser...I lose a creative outlet, I lose new friends, I lose out on something I know I can be successful at, (and I lose those Gather points...LOL).  But I don't give up that easily.  I am a fighter!  And the madder I get; the harder I fight.  And I'll do whatever it takes to come out on top!  (I've even been a lowly minimum wage employee taking on a millionaire business owner.  I got what I wanted; which only was to be treated fairly; while he lost his election to the Assembly he was running for on a "Fair Labor" campaign.)

      Whoever you are...and to all the others out there that do the same thing...you have met your match!!!  I will NOT give up!  I am on Gather to stay, baby, so deal with that and get used to it.  There's a new sheriff in town and his name is Rob!  You can rate me a "1" every single day on each and every thing that I post...and you don't matter any more than the little miniature Baby Ruth candy bars I dig out of my cat's litterbox and flush down the toilet.  I'm in it for the long haul...for me, for Scott, for my friends, for all the other good people.  Just to warn these hateful, little sots...your time will come!

      Band with me and let's join together...fight these "downers"...there's strength in numbers.  I don't do something like this often, but today, I am asking for your's and everyone else's help.  It will take a little extra effort on your part.  All I am asking is that you help me get the word out and my point across.  If you agree with me and want to put an end to people abusing others, I hope you can see it in your heart to forward this article on to all those in your network and groups to get the word out...and let it spread like wildfire. 

      Gather is good...and is for those who are good.  The bad are no longer welcome in OUR home!