Why is it wrong to downvote arts and entertainment simply because you don't like it?
Because then you're taking away an opportunity for that content creator to improve.
What am I referring to when I say arts and entertainment?
Nearly all content you'll stumble into as a consumer while browsing Hive. From that picture of a duck to the blog post about a pandemic. The crypto personality. The artist. The musician. The writer regardless of what they're writing about. All of these things exist to entertain those who take an interest. The Hive posts. Development updates. All of these things have the potential to lure in eyes and captivate an audience. Everything
All of it.
I've been involved in this industry for more years than I care to admit.
I've been a writer since the day I learned how to make a letter 'A' and an artist since long before that.
Over the years, the more I did the things I enjoyed, the better I got. That's something we all have in common, regardless of what we're doing.
I have not always pursued these interests.
I don't care to share my successes and failures from another life. As far as this name and life here goes, I am a 'virtual nobody' who started at the bottom.
That's everyone in this industry though. No matter how 'big' a name becomes, they all started with nothing and nobody.
Some find success. More struggle until they eventually give up.
Over the years and because of the internet, we've seen a huge rise in independent artists, creators, developers, personalities, writers, etc.
Much like the established creators earning through salaries, contracts, sales; the independent types also seek to monetize their work.
Their most recent production might not be the most successful in their history but often earns far more than their first.
When you compare a creator's recent work with their first, in most cases you'll see a night and day difference.
Developers can relate to this. Once you make money, some of that money goes right back into creating: more, and better.
Some of the biggest names ever started out in this independent online world. Have a look at people like Post Malone and Justin Bieber. Started out with low quality videos, low quality mics, low quality everything. The talent was there. Over time people liked it more and more. The quality gradually increased. Those two guys exploded.
Your favorite crypto personality finally got a green screen. Ever notice how they always make sure to point it out, and how proud they are?
Have a look at a game streamers in-house studio. Crappy microphone, boring chair, flag on the wall in the background for the first video. Years later they have all the best stuff and seventeen shelves full of cool looking trinkets in the background. Now it's an in-house set with massive lights and everything.
I know the printer I'd like to purchase costs several thousand dollars and will be obsolete the moment I unpack it and plug it in.
A photographer or videographer starts with a phone and now has a drone.
And of course, the more money these independents put into their presentation, the better the platform looks.
But it takes time.
More fail in this world than succeed.
While that's all happening, there are more people in between, yet to discover if they've failed or succeeded. Some are happy at the bottom, thinking they're doing great, moving up. More are satisfied to always be somewhere in the middle. Others are shooting for the stars.
What makes success confusing in this world is the fact there is no such thing as, The Top.
The first sense of success is often diminished by the second. You'll see it happening if you look hard enough. A creator or online personality early on is excitedly announcing how happy they were with a previous effort that received 1000 views.
Time goes by. They're now receiving one million views consistently and the creator does not even mention it.
Looking back at the early days of Splinterlands. All the hype and early success stories have been replaced with confidence. These games are part of this arts and entertainment world as well and follow the same path, with no end in sight.
Much like how a content creator wants millions of consumers, a platform like PeakD wants millions of users. A goal is set to have many, then once it is achieved a new goal is set to have many more.
Of course in this world, the consumer is always the majority. One game, many players; one song, many listeners; one article, many readers; one woman farted, many laughed.
What defines success?
It's hard to say.
But it's easy to see.
People tend to gravitate more towards what they like. The creator has no control over whether or not people will enjoy the product. Any time something does exceptionally well, it is always a surprise.
After working for many years, Post Malone did not expect White Iverson to receive one million views within one month.
Where would he be today if somebody came along and said, "That's too much," while magically wiping some measure of success away?
Imagine what would have happened to the music industry if those people who were burning records while claiming the sound was coming from the devil actually got their way.
When was the last time you went to a book burning festival?
I realize these are outrageous comparisons but if you added up the measure of success that has been or could be downvoted over the years, you might find some rather alarming statistics now and into the future.
Then combine that with the constant demand for the quality of content to improve, while now knowing what it takes to see that improvement over time.
A feeling of accomplishment and money is required to see things steadily improve.
I understand.
Some prefer to use exploits in order to earn rewards on this platform. I'm not writing about them. Sure signs of abuse should not be tolerated, in my opinion, and the downvote, when used responsibly, is the tool for the job. Much like how upvotes serve a purpose and when used responsibly become the perfect tool to do their job.
As stated previously: The creator has no control.
Any post that is currently trending. Not one of those creators knew back when they started here their work would be where it is today.
Even with the flaws in design, everyone is still on the same playing field with equal opportunity. One could remove or introduce new flaws tomorrow. One could make it perfect. We'd still end up with the same results. Some do better than others.
Honest independent artists, creators, developers, personalities, writers, etc. This group does not need to be held back, restricted, or punished due to flaws they did not design and things they have no control over.
For centuries, people have created content. For centuries, people have consumed that content.
Why is it wrong to downvote arts and entertainment simply because you don't like it?
For centuries, if someone didn't like something, they left it alone. I can't seem to think of a time when it made me angry a Youtuber got a million views. I don't recall ever being offended if an author sold a million copies. If an article made the front page of a newspaper, I didn't rip that page off and tear it up simply because I wanted to read the comics. Bieber's music annoys me, so I don't buy it.
Why does this have to be so hard...
Like; not like. Agree; disagree. It's the same thing. Do folks not like what they agree with? Do folks disagree with what they like?
Things become incredibly confusing when we start talking about, "Reward disagreement."
Since there's no official definition or guidelines in place to eliminate disputes, this is the part of the post where I lightheartedly throw up my hands and wonder: Why did I even write this?
I disagree with rewards when I see spam and reward farms. I disagree with rewards when I see a plagiarist or word spinner attempting to pull the wool over our eyes. I disagree with rewards when an art fraud attempts to dupe people into thinking they're talented. I disagree with the use of paid votes. I disagree with excessive self voting with intent to dump. Probably a few more things but I don't feel like complaining today.
What do you disagree with?
To Conclude:
I'm personally impressed with the fact downvotes, in majority of cases, are not being abused. Downvote abuse was one of the biggest concerns coming out of the minds of the harshest critics when the free downvotes were being introduced.
We're expected to upvote responsibly. I believe the same expectations should be applied to downvotes since one cannot effectively weaponize an upvote.
Recently I wrote a post that had created a bit of a stir; some controversy.
I didn't really get a chance to explain my reasoning behind why I think the way I do. This is only my opinion.
Some things I said were twisted out of context and at the same time I failed to do a good job of making my points clear, like usual.
When I pointed out my concerns, I was thinking of the others who've been impacted by what I'd personally consider to be irresponsible curation involving downvotes, not myself.
I wasn't attempting to create a division. There will always be people who agree and others who disagree though so that reaction can be considered normal. I believe the conversation is a necessary one and hope someday there will be more peace, understanding. Whether it's an individual member or the platform as a whole, I wish to see success celebrated.
In the future I shall refrain from putting on a show, when I have a concern. Not everything needs to be a spectacle. That's a fact I've struggled with my entire life. I even tried to warn everyone with my pathetic first post.
I knew this would happen...
So now I'll apologize. Officially and publicly. If I hurt any feelings out there just know that was not my intention and I'm sorry, if I did.
I didn't come here to be an asshole but I know I can be an asshole, sometimes.
At times it's better to look the other way; especially when making a scene is your forte.
Live, learn, and have a nice day.
