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Inflation or "Where or where did that spine go?"
Here's a surprise, I'm going to offend some people with this post.
Get over it or not, I don't care. I know I'm not a nice person, I know I am an asshole, and nothing anyone is going to tell me in the way of an attack or insult will do anything but amuse me. Not because I believe myself to be better than anyone else, just because the number of people whose opinion I value and whose judgement I consider is limited and the chances that some random person desiring to be offended and blaming me for it is included in that list is so small as to make mathematicians cringe at defining the number.
We've got a new rating system in place, a rating system of which I heartily approve which requires anyone who desires to rate a poem to also leave a comment. Now that comment can be " " if so desired, but the main point is that the comment is recorded and we get to see who rates what how.
Well, a funny thing has happened that had been discussed and I'd hoped would not but cannot admit surprise though I will own to disappointment. Rating inflation.
If previously you would have honestly rated a poem as a 1 star anonymously it's probably rated higher now.
I actually read a critique apologizing for rating a poem with three (3) stars. Just to recap, here's the rating scale:
* - Poor
** - Okay
*** - Good
**** - Great
***** - Awesome
Let's be honest, how many truly great poems are we seeing? Hell, the last rating I gave a poem was a 3 star and that poem was well constructed, fluid, held my interest, and compelled me to comment. Not only that but I admire and respect the author and he has been one of the people who have offered me excellent critique and pushed me to be a better poet.
This is not a plea for anyone to change their behaviour, everyone will continue in the manner in which they are most comfortable but if anyone is offended that I gave a poem of yours or a poem you rated as four (4) or five (5) starts a three (3) star rating, don't whine to me unless you want a lecture.
I do not participate in Neopoet.com to assuage my ego, I am here because I depend on members to give me honest and biting feedback, to let me know when I can do better, to call me on the carpet when I get lazy or predictable, and to help me be a better poet and, through my critique, I hope I can provide the same to the community.
If you would prefer I did not critique or rate your poetry, post it in the forums. Anything submitted to the stream is fair game. You can't both say "look at me" and "be nice." Nice and I have parted company and I am a better critic for it.
Jonathan Moore
Get over it or not, I don't care. I know I'm not a nice person, I know I am an asshole, and nothing anyone is going to tell me in the way of an attack or insult will do anything but amuse me. Not because I believe myself to be better than anyone else, just because the number of people whose opinion I value and whose judgement I consider is limited and the chances that some random person desiring to be offended and blaming me for it is included in that list is so small as to make mathematicians cringe at defining the number.
We've got a new rating system in place, a rating system of which I heartily approve which requires anyone who desires to rate a poem to also leave a comment. Now that comment can be " " if so desired, but the main point is that the comment is recorded and we get to see who rates what how.
Well, a funny thing has happened that had been discussed and I'd hoped would not but cannot admit surprise though I will own to disappointment. Rating inflation.
If previously you would have honestly rated a poem as a 1 star anonymously it's probably rated higher now.
I actually read a critique apologizing for rating a poem with three (3) stars. Just to recap, here's the rating scale:
* - Poor
** - Okay
*** - Good
**** - Great
***** - Awesome
Let's be honest, how many truly great poems are we seeing? Hell, the last rating I gave a poem was a 3 star and that poem was well constructed, fluid, held my interest, and compelled me to comment. Not only that but I admire and respect the author and he has been one of the people who have offered me excellent critique and pushed me to be a better poet.
This is not a plea for anyone to change their behaviour, everyone will continue in the manner in which they are most comfortable but if anyone is offended that I gave a poem of yours or a poem you rated as four (4) or five (5) starts a three (3) star rating, don't whine to me unless you want a lecture.
I do not participate in Neopoet.com to assuage my ego, I am here because I depend on members to give me honest and biting feedback, to let me know when I can do better, to call me on the carpet when I get lazy or predictable, and to help me be a better poet and, through my critique, I hope I can provide the same to the community.
If you would prefer I did not critique or rate your poetry, post it in the forums. Anything submitted to the stream is fair game. You can't both say "look at me" and "be nice." Nice and I have parted company and I am a better critic for it.
Jonathan Moore