The problem with a “star” measure, is that those who are sensitive to criticism will certainly be shut down. If the point is to build up, then perhaps you could provide ONLY the opportunity to build up. Just because a post is NOT recommended, it doesn’t mean that it is in opposition to the post.

Or it shouldn’t.

Steve K

If the point is to give voices to the voiceless, let’s find new ways to give voices. A rating system could do that… but I have my doubts. I do think it would make it easier to sort out the popular from the unpopular posts… but I get that anyway just by scanning the number of comments in a post.

If you do a rating system with no sense of purpose for the blog, it will feel exclusive and silencing. Even if you do not intend for it.

I hear a common thread of concern over potentially silencing a group of people. While no actually “censoring” is currently in place, people are “feeling” silenced. I’m all for people feeling open and able to share.

So, assume a voting system is in place. Now participants can voice their opinion on a post by rating it.

Now explain to me how silencing doesn’t just take on a different form and perhaps affect a different group.

I’ll “feel” silenced when I would consistently receive one star.

Don’t we end up with the same net result here?

The reality of the blog over the past year and a half has been much more inclusive in terms of who writes post. For the first 9 months anyone could post and in the last year I’ve been very free with giving out user names to people who wanted to post. As Katie’s post pointed out, this hasn’t always led to a safer space.

While this post voting scheme wouldn’t actually limit the field of writers in anyway, it would take a small step towards the more exclusive end of the spectrum.

Based on comments so far it seems the question then is: Would the added checks and balances of a voting system improve the quality of posting and thereby create a safe space for non-SWM’s? Or would the voting system itself become another tool for oppression and silencing? Or would the reality be somewhere in between?

My personal preference is to try out the system and see how it works and turn it off if it doesn’t. Of course, who decides if it works or not? Maybe we could have a poll…

I’m also aware that the only woman to comment so far has been against the idea and all those in favor have been men. Any other women out there who want to weigh in?

I say, let’s experiment with this and see if it works. If it doesn’t we could always remove it.

Where is service?

1–It could silence the voices of people you disagree with and force a unified viewpoint. And, while I was left with a bad taste in my mouth after the Katie post, I think there needs to be a place to express disagreement.

2–Not everyone can be super articulate and concise, but that doesn’t they don’t have something to say. It could be easy to rate low, because the post isn’t snappy or crisp, and for those who are developing their voice, the rating system could silence them unintentionally.

Other thought–we need to questions the intention of the blog before we do this. What is the original reason for YAR? And does putting a rating system on posts really fulfil the goals and purpose of YAR? I’m inclined to think that rating is a benign form of silencing. As the young, a have experienced that in past churches. As an Anabaptist, I experience silencing in my non-anabaptist seminary As a radical, I experience silence in my community. Do we want to create another form of silencing in cyber space?

Since I don’t feel much interest in voting in political elections (though I still do it) voting here would be much more fun.

I’ll still write even if no one wants to put stars on my posts. Ratings should hold anyone back from speaking their mind. There won’t be a weekly standard rating “authority” so, I think it would just be a helpful thing.

I think it will probably be both, Tim. But, let’s go for it, I’m all for trying this and hopefully posts that aren’t relevant to - or helpful for - this community won’t grab as much attention.