Gather ratings and other ridiculous methods of patting ourselves on our backs.

Bruce, I gave you a ten, because I didn't know any other way to deliver two high fives and a woohooo yelp. For the most part, I agree. I have seen some ten work (mostly by people who get little attention, so if you're interested I'd be happy to send you some links). I had a sinking feeling a few nights ago, when reading yet another of the many articles on the rating troll, that some might consider ME a rating troll because I do rate between four and nine often. To me, the rating troll is the person who rates decent articles one just because she doesn't like the topic, or wants to boot a particular person out of sight. In reading all the hoopla, I realize some think anyone who rates less than ten is the slime of the earth. I commented a few days ago that on a 1 - 10 scale, a five would be average, and I was surprised at the number of people who admit they are not professional writers, have no intention of learning to be a professional writer, do not want to hear about the rules of writing, yet still think of themselves as above average writers. Your point about the 'assumed 70' is well taken here, and I'll step even closer to the firing line and say I think the 'no winner' t-ball and soccer game trend feeds right into this problem. We're teaching kids (and apparently adults) that it is shameful to be average or to lose, and encouraging the 'win at any cost' soul-selling society we're living in.

For the record, I don't think this article deserves a one or a ten. I'd say in all honesty, it deserves a five or six. The content is exceptional, but there are some nits in the writing.

Bruce, I knew I liked ytou as soon as I saw your picture!
This article is right on the money.

I rate almost everything a 10...or I don't rate it. I think you are a little anal about the rating thing, Bruce. It's a joke! Fugattaboudit! Totally irrelevant, arbitrary, capricious, subjective, and most people (including me) who give ratings are totally unqualified to do so. Sandy is an exception, because she actually LOOKS at the writing skill involved...as is evident in her comment here. Quite frankly, I don't. I am not participating in Gather to learn to be a literary critic or a teacher of creative writing. I am here to spout off on various topics that interest me and to share ideas. Ratings be damned!

When I rate, I rate a 10. It is in part a way of appreciating an effort, no matter the result, and, in part, a way of my commenting upon the system as a whole.

Though I also have to add to Gretel's comment and your article, here, Bruce, that many in the current generation want rewards, perhaps with little effort. This is so opposed to what our parents, grandparents and g-grandparents had to live through - a lifetime of effort with little, or NO reward...

i'm with bert on this. the problem for me with the ratings is that, since everyone doles them out based on individual rules, it's difficult to know exactly what they really mean. and given that, they seem sort of useless. so...the only two things i can think to do with them is to use them to give strong kudos for a terrific piece or to help a great or interesting piece make it to more people by giving 10s. if i think something is particularly noteworthy or, conversely, doesn't work in a piece of writing, i prefer to say so in the comment so the critique will be useful. on rare occasion i've made my critiques via message if i think what i'm going to say might be best said in private... but that's just me.

My thoughts are that articles based on the internal workings of Gather should not be rated at all.

I've developed my own approach to the ratings system. I either rate something a 10 or I don't rate it at all. However, here's what I consider worth a ten
* If an article brings up an interesting topic
* If an article prompts interesting comments
* If I think the subject deserves attention
* If the article has a unique angle to it
* If the article grabs me
I don't look for all of these qualities in articles I rate a 10, any one will do.
Is this the best use of the 1 through 10 rating system ? I have no idea, and because I have no idea I've come up with my own set of standards until something better comes along.
I should note that just because I give an article a 10 does not mean I automatically agree with the author of the article.
I look a the current rating system controversy like the current fast food debate. You know it's not good for you, but if you gotta use it, at least try to pick things from the menu that have some nutritional value.

I've given this analogy before Bruce, that the rating system is too arbitrary, much like the pain scale that the hospital asks of an ailing patient. What is intensely painful to one, might be mildly so to another.

So on the one hand, if Gather keeps this rating system then they need to add some substantive commentary to ensure everyone is on the same page with what 1 means vs. 5 or 10. For example: 1 = Very poor, lacking substance, 5 = Neutral, didn't like or dislike, 10 = Perfection, this was absolutely wonderful!

Still this isn't ideal as opposed to other ideas. And it still doesn't mean that what one person views as perfection another might see as just okay, or pretty good. But at least the words would ensure that we all KNOW what the difference is between a 1 and a 10.

LOL! George's comments came up just as I posted mine. I like that interpretation as well...perhaps Gather ought to take note!

Yes, there are alot of worthy 10's here! Perfection is in the mind of the individual who reads it. There is no worldwide standard for it.

Bruce, Yes, we are all amateurs. And it is difficult for me to rate something like your "comments" with a true "travel" or "adventure" or "love story" type of writing. I rate those based on how it appeals to me. Would I enjoy reading it in a magazine. Does it hold my attention. Is it interesting and well written. Your type of writing is an entirely differnt catagory. It's more like when people write letters to each other and talk and vent their veelings about something. I see no reason to rate that kind of writing. But I went ahead and gave you a one like you asked.

Gave ya a 10. I am such a rebel.

i gave you a 10 bc of that awesome graphic.

Here's a one for you...funny how hard it is for some people to click that low, even when asked.

I gave you a 10- ha ha ha ha!
I hate me sometimes, too.

George, you hit it exactly right! Great comment!

The only consistent way to achieve a perfect string of 10's is to toss yet another article to the mindless horde that dominates Gather on the subject of Yet another paranoid and thoughtless reason to feel smug about hating George Bush, Republicans and Conservative Christians.

The only time I rate anything (image or article) is when what I see or read here strikes me as "wow! cool!" and I go find the little row of stars. So, I would say the content either works or it doesn't. I think George's comments state this in more detail -- he has an actual system figured out, where I only thing about ratings when the reaction takes place.

Also, I'll use stars when I don't think any comment I make will add to the discussion or say anything new about an image. I'm more likely to leave a comment.

I agree with George also. Sometimes it may not be the "best" writing on the site, but if it's a unique article or brings forth something interesting to me then I'll rate it a 10. Otherwise, if I don't like it or am not interested, I won't rate it at all. Plus I'm not qualified to rate anyone else's writing on technique ;-).

the whole Gather rating system rates about a 7 on the pain scale...

Just don't rate anything ever. Doing so, even for the most deserving works, only reinforces this broken system. Just ignore the stars. Well, go ahead and give ones to angry tools like Schiller and The Yes Man.

You know Greg, I think a truly thought provoking, well researched conservative piece would do quite well also. Pity I haven't seen any of those.

I rate posts high if they touch in some way. If it's well thought out, or I wish I had thought it!
If it's got lots of typos I'm not so generous but again, I edit my stuff many times once it's published because I am never satisfied so I figure the author will edit it later so I still
give postings high marks...It's a way of saying, thanks for taking the time to write!!