I haven't been around as much as some of the other highly respected posters on this site (like #6, #1,054, #8,540,) and I sure as hell can't speak from the perspective of the Big Number Three.
But I think I've been around just long enough to speak with a little weight on the issues below. Yes. This is a meta, navel-gazing diary. Brace yourselves.
DailyKos.com, as you can see from the image on the right, has had a surge of visitors (and users) in recent months. This is a fabulous thing. The more people inform themselves and participate in a discussion, the better the chances of change on a national level.
But, like many others, I think this has resulted in some negative consequences for this site.
No, I'm not talking about the fact that
more users=more diaries=diaries sinking faster than Bush's approval ratings. And no, I'm not talking about the "First!" posts in the open threads which inevitably get zero-bombed into oblivion.
I'm talking about an inability--or lack of desire--to adapt to the changing reality of this site.
On Recommended Diaries, or Trigger-Happy Recommenders
Is it just me, or have you found yourself asking too often "how in the world did THAT get on the recommended list"? Whether it's old news, or unverified information, or rumor, too often lately I've seen diaries shoot to the top of the recommended list without any discussion on the merits of that diary.
I have written some good diaries. I've also written some utter crap. And as I've said time and time again, I don't want people recommending my work because of my username. Every diary should be recommended for its own value and content, irrespective of its author. I can't tell you how many times I've seen a recent diary, clicked on "who's recommended this diary" and seen a list of people who recommended it, even though less than a minute had passed since the diary was posted!
Read before you click. It is a priciple we should all follow. Why? Because it is up to US to decide the quality of what gets on the recommended list, and by extension, what is representative of this community.
Fly-by ratings, and "troll" ratings
Ok, so they're technically "unproductive" ratings now. The influx of new people who are unfamilar with the customs of the site has resulted in some serious ratings abuse.
It's as if some people think throwing a "1" into a tip jar or a random comment is par course here.
It isn't. And I've seen WAY too many zeros and ones doled out lately simply based on disagreement. But people don't know or don't care that giving out a 1 or a 0 which is undeserved is just plain rude, and has NO place in this community.
You give out a 1 or a 0, there damn well be a comment explaining why. (except in cases of extreme trolls, like traitorbushchimp or Pastor John). Which brings me to my next point...
Stepping Up To Our Duty As Community Members
Each one of us--old members and brand new members alike--have a duty to ensure that this community functions in the most respectful and productive way as possible. This is why we have Trusted User status, which allows us to moderate the site. This is why we have a voice in which diaries make it to the Recommended list.
But our duty does not just end there. We have a duty to call out ratings abuse when we see it. We have a duty to have the courage to step up and call out a shitty diary and urge people not recommend. We also have a duty to highlight brilliant diaries lost in the shuffle and urge that they make the list.
In short, I guess I am saying we get what we put in. And it seems to me that we, as moderators and shapers of our own community, have been putting A LOT less effort into keeping this site decent, respectful, and productive.
It is my sincere hope that all users, from UID #3 to UID #60,000 (?), will realize that keeping a community like this efficient and productive in times of flux takes effort, and that all of us will gladly step up to the plate to maintain this site as the influential powerhouse that it is.