I know I certainly don't decide what I will or will not watch, or who I will or will not listen to or read based on a critic's review. I think if that were the case for people here, they would not be watching DS. The show was hardly a critic's dream but people have nonetheless watched it faithfully for decades, and as stated here, continue to do so even when spouses and family members make fun of them. If you are in that position and have developed a thick skin over those issues, why let a stranger bother you?
I prefer to think for myself and more times than not, I have come to a different conclusion about a production or a post here than the critic. The reason for this is that I do not know what the critic is using for as criteria in judging a movie, a play, or in this case, someone's post. It might be some old personal score that ignites the smite button, it might some disdain for a particular subject that has nothing to do with the poster, it could be anything. When I click on a post here, I don't even look at the "tally" - I have clicked on it for the subject and in most cases I don't even pay attention to who posted it until after I've read the post. I prefer to decide for myself whether or not I place any merit in what the person has said rather than to depend on the opinion of others who are strangers to me and, as I said, have other reasons for not liking a post.
My own view on the matter is to remember this is a fan forum for a television show. There are enough real world problems that face us now, and stand to directly impact us strongly than to worry whether or not someone likes the subject being posted or not. I'm sorry that it has upset some people as much as it has though. I don't like popularity contests myself, but the moderators here have explained why they can and cannot do certain things at this time and I think that is explanation enough. I personally can't get upset over it either way because it doesn't seem important in the scheme of things. I really can't worry about some stranger liking or not liking my post. Obviously, I would prefer that anyone who reads it does since they already spent their time reading the thing in the first place. If someone wants to smite me to settle some personal score, I hope it makes them feel better about themselves. Then it has served a useful purpose since everyone should definitely feel good about themselves.
Otherwise, if someone likes or dislikes my post or someone elses, that doesn't stop me from posting or reading the opinion of an oft-smited person or meeting that individual in some social setting later. Like I said, I prefer to make my own decisions about people and what I read.
If I don't like a feature on this forum, I just don't use it.
Nancy
