I was browsing the image gallery of a gather friend and found that a number of his images were flagged as being for "mature audiences only" when, in fact, were it not for the fact that this individual were gay, I don't think they would have been flagged at all.
I mean, we're talking about a photograph of a shirtless man (he was wearing pants) fly-fishing in a river.
And another photo of a bodybuilder (who was wearing a bikini or a g-string; if you look at any body building magazine that's what they all pretty much are wearing).
I mean, give me a break, people!
So I'd like to propose a democratic system for flagging content, when the poster of such content isn't the one who's done the flagging:
First off, I believe that a user flagging content on Gather as being inappropriate should be required to explain, in detail, why they have flagged the content as such. For instance, why is a shirtless man fly-fishing in a river for mature audiences only? I don't really see why a teenager or even a child shouldn't be shown such an image. It was of a sporting event. Certainly, wrestling, which is shown on broadcast television, exposes more flesh than what the man in this photograph had exposed.
So when a user flags content as being inappropriate for whatever reason (and describes in detail the reasons for doing so), the system should flag it akin to the rating system now used for content here on Gather.
In other words, the system should note that the content was flagged, and then offer other viewers a choice to agree or disagree with the decision to flag such content, perhaps akin to the manner by which Digg handles submissions (giving it a thumbs up or a thumbs down). The system then would be able to display the number of individuals who agreed with the flagging of the content as being "for mature audiences only" or whatever.
If a certain super majority percentage (set by Gather) of the subsequent user votes regarding the flagging are negative (e.g., people disagree with the flagging), then the flag should be removed by the system. Gather can impose that a minimum of X number of votes must be voted on before the removal process would begin. And like the current rating system, the content owner would not be able to rate the content as for flaggability.
There are two immediate benefits of this system that I can think of:
1) It would help either to eliminate or, at the very least, deal with harassment of users on here when a user gets it in his/her mind to goup against someone else on Gather by flagging all of their content; the ability to have the content automatically un-flagged if, say, the content receives a subsequent number of votes to get it unflagged, would be beneficial.
2) I forgot what second benefit would be while I was writing about the first benefit, argh! I'll have to come back here and edit it in....
So what do you think, is this an idea that would work on Gather, and would Gather be able to implementit? I think most of the pieces are already included in the system; they just have to be tied all together (e.g., the rating system, the flagging system, etc.). Perhaps the only development that would need to be done is to set the content to be automatically unflagged if a certain percentage (out of a minimum of X number of votes) subsequent flagging votes disagrees with the flagging by voting it down.
recommend this
email
print
link to this page
Comments: 69
I understand there are certain standards that must be up-held, mainly because the advertisers will begin dropping out like crazy. But there has to be a reasonable standard. There needs to be a format in place which protects free speech and different points of view, even if we disagree.
It is like the only thing that is acceptable is to be in agreement with everything, and when there is one rebuttal, oh, that person is "so wrong and rude". I am so tired of this, but I am not going to allow these people to take away from the joy and friendships I have from this site. I will not walk away, I will stand strong. Keep up with what I believe and if someone gives me a good argument--I will listen--and perhaps learn or not learn something new.
I hope you will not let this flagging get you down enough to leave this site.
You have every right to be here as anyone else.
May the New Year bring you much happiness!
And no, flagging is not going to make me leave Gather. I'm really coming to love Gather, and I only make these comments/suggestions because of my fondness over it and my want and desire to see Gather succeed and become even better than it already is!
i don't understand why people have a need to flag and also nasty comments
I try not to let the prudes botter me.
On the other hand, one person's question may not bother another.
I would suggest that any "flag" that does not include a viable explaination is not affixed to the article. I would suggest, further, that the gather gurus adopt a minimum number of flag requests that must be received before an article is flagged unless the author initiates it. This might help avoid the drive bys.
Now as for that shirtless guy fly fishing in the river? I didn't see it, but I likely wouldn't have known he or the Poster was gay. And unless I wanted to sleep with him, I wouldn't have cared. Seriously, it's hard to fix something they want broken. Drama and fussing and fighting bring gather advertisers. In the end, it's my opinion that's the main aim here. Gather was "sold" to me as a place writers can publish to have their work critiqued, read and commented on. Even I tend to use it as just a place to vent my little life a lot of the time.
And one more thing for the record, Shirtless Gay Men are sometimes very hot. Even to us straight girls!
I also like the idea of a consensus among commentors that a flag can be unflagged if the flagging is deemed unreasonable. But I'm not so sure we're going to see that happen here.
Personally, I've never flagged anyone. I know how to go on to the next article if I don't like what I see. I have no underlying needs to be rude or hurt someone else's feelings.
I see the opportunity to flag articles as inappropriate all over the web. I wonder how the owners handle inappropriate flagging? Anyone ever had that experience?
Perhaps Gather is running out of staff and can't keep up. Hundreds and perhaps even thousands of articles go up every day. The Glitches alone must keep a handful of people very busy!
Very thoughtful and carefully written article, Peter. Hang in there.
They have posted right in here. I will not name any names, but the people on here that know who I am know from what I have been through, already know who the person is.
I think it is very slick that the person committing the crime had the gaul to come in here and innocently comment that is the sickest thing I have ever seen in my life.
I am glad you wrote this article, you attracted the cause of this right to it.
I did not realize I was soooo important to somebody(ies)
Peter your idea is good. Let's move on it, and urge Gather to do the same. Look at Baiden up there with no image. Why is that? What has he done to have no image, except be happy? Oh, that's right: being happy is an excellent ground for being flagged on Gather. Huh? What? Huh? That's right!!! Being happy -- grounds for being flagged. That needs to stop!!!!!!!!
That's right!
Rose Glitter Graphics
So one person can vote under many identities on here.
I understand where they need to immediately remove something that is flagged, the problem is the turnaround time to correct the situation and unflag.
In addition, the problem also lies in when Gather removes a flag and the offender shows up again to flag the same content all over again. There needs to be a situation set up where once something is flagged and removed, If gather approves it and releases it to be allowed on the site, then the item cannnot be reflagged again.
The democratic voting system does not work on here, we have enough people complaining about writing contests to know, voting amongst members is not the answer.
Yeah and also if you email that person and someone else flags them, they could blame you
To use the flagging system as a spiteful weapon is childish and shows the maturity level of the indiviual who will do this. The flagging system will work and often does when it is done for the appropriate reason.
Sorry to read that some people have been targeted, (I had an article or two flagged a while ago) some times it is better to just let gather handle this problem and not give the immature people the satisfaction of conversation swirling around about them.
I think if you don't like the picture image etc. then just pass over it. Flagging has gotten way out of control. Its ridiculous!!
All of a sudden one day, a member that you do not know , comes along and flags all of your content and it is instantly removed, all because someone you did not know decided it would be FUN.
This is a serious issue that Gather must correct because it will diminish the benefit for people that join and can ruin the experience on here overall. As it stands right now, NO ONE ON THIS WEBSITE has no control over what you put up that gets removed.
This is not about a copyright or plagiarism issue, of course we know the spirit and letter of the law on that.
This site has become a breeding ground for sick minded individuals who take pleasure in trying to ruin people. Honestly, from reading some of the comments on here, many of you still do not get it yet. In a way I hope you never understand it because, in order to understand it, you need to be a victim, and who wants that .
So if it is flagged at any point after, they responsible party will be flagging something that has been restored by Gather, which I do not feel they will like.
Kimberly, I agree that issues of plagiarism need to be brought to gather support attenion and they need to investigate the matter and determine if it shoukd be taken down.
it is obvious to the eye when it is spotted.
The problem with the flagging system is that a persons content can instantly dissapper in a heartbeat. I also want to inform you all that I have observed that one of the parties responsible for flagging all of my content has been removed from this site.
I just noticed this.
So they are working on this, it is a process.
I actually never realized that there were different messages. I just see the red line of textr at the top and know that the content has been flagged. I don't even bother reading the flagging message. It's red, it's at the top of the message, and that's what gets my attention.
And as a number of people here have commented about, flagging has gotten to be a bit out of control here on Gather....
I agree with you 99.999999% of the time. I have only contacted Gather about content once and it was clearly pornagraphic and possibly including a minor. It was handled quickly and appropriately. Other than that I just move on if there is something I chose not to view or read.