It seems there are two main ways of obtaining stars on ATS...

Crafting an intelligent and good-spirited reply, and acting like a total five-year old.

I must know once and for all. Why do people star rude comments? The ones that I've seen get them usually contain an element of what might be interpreted as a humorous jibe, but as someone who was on the receiving end of my share of such, let me assure you, it's meant to be hurtful. A lot.

And people approve of that. Just... WHY? I've had it up to here with getting ganged up on.

reply to post by EllaMarina


Why does it matter? You cannot spend the stars. You cannot trade them. Most people on ATS judge posters based on their content, and not the amount of stars they have obtained. Lead by example. But I will star your OP before I go.

Try not to take the stars and flags too seriously. They aren't real. You can't eat them. You can't barter with them. They're useless.

Because the system has outlived its usefulness, they're given away freely.

reply to post by EllaMarina


I won't star something I think is hurtful to someone else, unless they attack me, then I star them.

The reason being I believe in killing with kindness, and starring someone is one of the ways I can feel better for their comments. I don't do that always though, it all depends on my mood.

But I really don't think to much about stars, and pretty much star anyone who responds to me as a way of acknowledging even if I don't respond with a comment. But people do it for different reasons.

reply to post by EllaMarina


Does it have anything to do with your views and opinions?

I have noticed that when I see that happen, typically, the recipient of the jibe brought it on to themselves.

Those others are staring the Perpetrator because they have only said what everyone else was thinking.

It's a rough world out there.

Here, .. .. Have a Star . ... .. .. and a Flag.

The way to get stars .... say something that is popular. I"ve seen lots of people get stars for saying nonsense and yet those posting facts or truthful information will be passed by.

I"m not a fan of stars. I"m of the opinion that they contribute to group think.
Group think = bad.

reply to post by Darkblade71


What a stupid comment from darkblade. Haha just joking.

If I see rude comments to people, especially new members I always try to defend them. Some members only post rude comments, I have some in mind but won't name names, and they have many stars. Some people think It's funny to bully other members and other members star these people because It's like joining sides.

Only thing you can do is ignore them or fight fire with fire.

Good luck.

Originally posted by EllaMarina
Crafting an intelligent and good-spirited reply, and acting like a total five-year old.

I must know once and for all. Why do people star rude comments? The ones that I've seen get them usually contain an element of what might be interpreted as a humorous jibe, but as someone who was on the receiving end of my share of such, let me assure you, it's meant to be hurtful. A lot.

And people approve of that. Just... WHY? I've had it up to here with getting ganged up on.

Take a deep breath and just think, only one more month until school starts up again. This happens every summer.

With that said...I'm staring everyone in this thread, free stars for everyone yay! And a flag for op for not starting another Alien or NSA thread. Refreshing.

reply to post by ShadellacZumbrum


My tone was blunt in one instance, but my actual opinion was shared by half the commenters. The other person got a Manners and Decorum sticker (and only 2 stars, at that), so that helped.

But the most recent one was in a thread that is currently a total circus. The moderators are eating popcorn. Maybe everyone thought the OP and I were joking back and forth, who knows...

reply to post by EllaMarina


Just wait until you are on the wrong side of the debate.

I have Been there and done that several times.

But, I don't let a lack of stars detour me from what I truly believe.

The secret to stars and flags is simple...either

Craft an intelligent and good-spirited reply or...

make a thread about stars and flags...

The latter seems to work the best.

Originally posted by PurpleVortex
The secret to stars and flags is simple...either

Craft an intelligent and good-spirited reply or...

make a thread about stars and flags...

The latter seems to work the best.

vortex!!! long time no see!!!

There... I star because I see people I like!

reply to post by ShadellacZumbrum


I'm not sure what you mean. Is it like, being the one person defending one's view against the overwhelming majority? If so, how would that provoke one to snap and regress 20 years?

Originally posted by FraternitasSaturni

Originally posted by PurpleVortex
The secret to stars and flags is simple...either

Craft an intelligent and good-spirited reply or...

make a thread about stars and flags...

The latter seems to work the best.

vortex!!! long time no see!!!

There... I star because I see people I like!

Hey Saturn long time...how's the puppeteering goin? star back at ya...

reply to post by PurpleVortex


Slow mate.. not much puppeteering.. tired as hell, lots of work, and damn its hot around here, almost forgot whats like to work at a normal job ... think its harder than the "other". Oh well...

Out before the op shoots me for hijacking the thread

reply to post by EllaMarina


There are always 2 sides to a debate.

Sometimes there are equal views on both sides.

Sometimes there are an overwhelming majority on one side and very few on the other.

Allot of times instead of a healthy debate what you get is a malicious verbal massacre.

It does not provoke people to regress. It provokes people to De-Evolve into Rabid Neolithic Cavemen that attack because they are thinking with their Reptilian Brain.

Originally posted by FraternitasSaturni
reply to post by PurpleVortex

 

Slow mate.. not much puppeteering.. tired as hell, lots of work, and damn its hot around here, almost forgot whats like to work at a normal job ... think its harder than the "other". Oh well...

Out before the op shoots me for hijacking the thread

edit on 31-7-2013 by FraternitasSaturni because: (no reason given)

Hot and tired sounds too familiar. Trying to change the mood of this thread just needs a you and I lol. * No shoving or pushing people, everyone gets a star in this thread, but I can't promise any seconds...*

Originally posted by EllaMarina
Crafting an intelligent and good-spirited reply, and acting like a total five-year old.

Acting out in reply... both of those, pretty much. It's the 'for the entertainment' view that is why social networking sites such as message boards are popular. The whole changing over to the s & f system fell into that when I don't believe it was intended. For example my own observation with posts, most stars came from in replying to someone who started a thread that was less favored in opinion. It seems less stars come from researched replies in comparison. If I cared about the whole s & f ratio, would say it really does make it less worthy to spend all of that time trying to share with others about research on the topic when you can be approved of more so star wise for countering an opinion.

reply to post by PurpleVortex


yea this could be the "come here and get a star" thread... for people who never get starred anywhere.

OP... change title to "ATS star sell out - we give stars here"