Scores being deleted/modified

[AntonioSanova]

Has any other WRITER experience their scores on stories being deleted and/or modified? I usually keep track of the scores, the number of votes, and deduct what that vote value must have been (to come up with the new average score). HOWEVER, MULTIPLE TIMES the number of votes has mysteriously rolled back (as in DELETED by a moderator). I tested it out by voting on my stories. THOSE VOTES were deleted. There is a SJW who feels THEY and THEY ALONE can determine whether a story is VALID on this site based on their OWN WARPED views of reality.
IF you don’t like a category of stories, DON’T READ THEM. IF you don’t care for a story, submit a comment explaining yourself. BUT after that, move on. You are ENTITLED to YOUR opinion. You are NOT ENTITLED to FORCE YOUR OPINION on others. Please comment here if you've noticed this before on your stories....

 

[SimonDoom]

What's going on here, I think, is sweeps. Sweeps are a process by which the Site owner gets rid of "phony" votes. The process is kept somewhat mysterious to make it harder to game around. But it has nothing to do with social justice or anything like that.

If you found a way to give your story a whole bunch of votes very quickly, the sweep method might figure out they were not "real" votes because it did not appear they happened after the story was read, so they might be deleted. I don't know if it works that way, but that's the idea.

For instance, a common phenomenon is that new stories get multiple 1-bombs by readers who probably don't even read the stories. The sweep is intended to get rid of these votes so the score is representative of real reads.

You can't really complain if the system deletes your attempt to vote on your own story multiple times, can you? That's gaming the score.

 

[AntonioSanova]

That might explain the deleted votes. However, it doesn't explain the deleted comments I post in reply to readers posting one (or sending me anonymous private messages). Are those sweeps also?

 

[NotWise]

That might explain the deleted votes. However, it doesn't explain the deleted comments I post in reply to readers posting one (or sending me anonymous private messages). Are those sweeps also?

Comments are moderated by the site. That is mostly to block spam, which has been a problem in the past. I've seen a few other comments removed by the site. Generally they were comments that I intended to remove myself, but the site did it first.

 

[AntonioSanova]

Furthermore, what about the messages sent to the TEAM of moderators behind the scenes... I'm sure they are busy and can't reply to every message. But those messages that call into question the integrity of the entire website, you think would be important enough to reply to... I know as a computer engineering manager, that's my job to build these systems, write up the artifacts about the systems, and even train the customer on how to use the system. That type of question from a client would DEFINITELY get my attention and there would be a reply sent out....

 

[NotWise]

Furthermore, what about the messages sent to the TEAM of moderators behind the scenes... I'm sure they are busy and can't reply to every message. But those messages that call into question the integrity of the entire website, you think would be important enough to reply to... I know as a computer engineering manager, that's my job to build these systems, write up the artifacts about the systems, and even train the customer on how to use the system. That type of question from a client would DEFINITELY get my attention and there would be a reply sent out....

The team consists of one person who manages the content and one person (apparently with a small staff) who manages the technical end.

They do not respond to email. They will sometimes respond to a PM if it's something that warrants a response. Literotica serves millions of readers and thousands of authors. They can't and won't respond to every concern.

If you want to report technical problems with the site, then there are sticky threads in the forums that are there for that purpose.

 

[SimonDoom]

Furthermore, what about the messages sent to the TEAM of moderators behind the scenes... I'm sure they are busy and can't reply to every message. But those messages that call into question the integrity of the entire website, you think would be important enough to reply to... I know as a computer engineering manager, that's my job to build these systems, write up the artifacts about the systems, and even train the customer on how to use the system. That type of question from a client would DEFINITELY get my attention and there would be a reply sent out....

There are two people who run this whole site, from what I understand. They do get back to comments, but not always right away. I don't know why your comments might have been deleted. They have certain criteria for that. I've seen comments by others to my stories deleted where they contained obscenities or were personally insulting or extreme.

 

[AntonioSanova]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. These comments in question contained nothing out of the ordinary that would warrant being deleted (no profanity, no derogatory terms, etc). I've seen comments take up to 5 days to be posted, but typically they are done so within 24 hours. Most of the comments contained questions, like i've been asking here, about the integrity of the system. So the only reason I can think of that they might be deleted is once again is to protect someone behind the scenes doing something they shouldn't be doing.... censoring based on personal views vs standards as published by the website. I am more than willing to abide by published standards. I will question any personal standards imposed until they can justify their censorship...

 

[NotWise]

Thanks for all the words of wisdom. These comments in question contained nothing out of the ordinary that would warrant being deleted (no profanity, no derogatory terms, etc). I've seen comments take up to 5 days to be posted, but typically they are done so within 24 hours. Most of the comments contained questions, like i've been asking here, about the integrity of the system. So the only reason I can think of that they might be deleted is once again is to protect someone behind the scenes doing something they shouldn't be doing.... censoring based on personal views vs standards as published by the website. I am more than willing to abide by published standards. I will question any personal standards imposed until they can justify their censorship...

The site doesn't have to justify anything to you. As is often said in reply to complaints, it's Laurel's site and it's Laurel's rules.

 

[jaF0]

You are NOT ENTITLED to FORCE YOUR OPINION on others.

Yet, that seems to be what you're trying to do. If your replies were argumentative or overly defensive in any way, I can see them being deleted.

People seem to spend way too much time on scores and comments. I look at mine a couple of times a year at most. I almost wish they'd delete the entire voting and scoring system.

 

[jaF0]

Most of the comments contained questions, like i've been asking here, about the integrity of the system.

That alone could warrant deletion.

Comments should be about the story. That area is not intended for discussion, back and forth interaction or site critique.

 

[AntonioSanova]

Then just like Facebook, I guess I'll find myself in Literotica Jail. Asking a valid question is NOT grounds for censorship.

 

[AlinaX]

Not all questions are valid.

 

[AntonioSanova]

and the comments in question were TO those readers that had either posted a comment at the novel site or send me a private message. It was not addressed to the moderators or the integrity of the site. They answered questions from the reader. I think you missed something when you were reading through this thread to come up with your comments... they seem a little out of Left field....

 

[DarkPleasures]

Then just like Facebook, I guess I'll find myself in Literotica Jail. Asking a valid question is NOT grounds for censorship.

lol Thanks for the laugh. I really needed that today.

 

[Enchantment_of_Nyx]

First, if it were my site, and I got an email or message from someone screaming at me, I might not answer it at all. I suspect you will eventually get an answer, even if it's not on your timetable. I suggest settling down to wait a couple of days. There are a lot of people ahead of you in line.

Nobody can specifically answer your question about comments without knowing the content that was in the comments deleted. Looking at some of your story titles, it seems you may straddle the 18-year old requirement pretty closely. ("Barely legal") Given that a young age is a feature of at least some of your stories, you may have gotten comments that crossed the line into remarks intended to reference underage sex. If the comments were anything remotely age-inappropriate, they would definitely get deleted. It doesn't matter what you or anyone thinks is right/wrong, sensible or not sensible about this. That's what the rule is. I don't have any idea if that's the case, but it's one example of what might have happened.

You've made all sorts of assumptions - teams of moderators, throngs of social justice warriors targeting you. Step back and look at what you actually know. You know votes have disappeared. That happens to everyone - not just you. It happens regardless of the content of the story. As has already been mentioned, there are times when it happens in a particularly dramatic fashion, such as when the site is making regular adjustments to filter out fraudulent voting. You mentioned that you voted on your own stories and the votes disappeared. I wonder, though, if it might be more accurate to say that your votes never showed up to start with. If you've already voted, it's not going to let you vote on it again from the same IP address.

I wonder, too, about your description of comments disappearing. Is there a chance that you saw the comments on your author's console page, and then didn't find them on your story page? Or that you saw then in beta mode but not in the old mode? For whatever reason, there's sometimes delay between something showing up one place and then the other. If you saw them in two different places or in two different modes, there's a good chance that if you settle down and wait 24 hours, you'll see the comments appear.

 

[MelissaBaby]

Has any other WRITER experience their scores on stories being deleted and/or modified? I usually keep track of the scores, the number of votes, and deduct what that vote value must have been (to come up with the new average score). HOWEVER, MULTIPLE TIMES the number of votes has mysteriously rolled back (as in DELETED by a moderator). I tested it out by voting on my stories. THOSE VOTES were deleted. There is a SJW who feels THEY and THEY ALONE can determine whether a story is VALID on this site based on their OWN WARPED views of reality.
IF you don’t like a category of stories, DON’T READ THEM. IF you don’t care for a story, submit a comment explaining yourself. BUT after that, move on. You are ENTITLED to YOUR opinion. You are NOT ENTITLED to FORCE YOUR OPINION on others. Please comment here if you've noticed this before on your stories....

You lost me at "SJW".

 

[MelissaBaby]

Then just like Facebook, I guess I'll find myself in Literotica Jail. Asking a valid question is NOT grounds for censorship.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

There is a SJW who feels THEY and THEY ALONE can determine whether a story is VALID on this site based on their OWN WARPED views of reality.

So, I'm sure Simon and NotWise likely mentioned this, but I'm going to just repeat for emphasis.
The social justice warrior you're impugning as having deliberately messed with your story due to their own "warped views of reality" is Laurel. The lady who owns and runs this site almost single-handed. The lady who's been doing so since it's inception at least twenty years ago. So, friendly advice from me to you. Chill out, and figure out a way to use your inside voice and just ask a question without casting aspersions on anyone's character.

 

[SimonDoom]

and the comments in question were TO those readers that had either posted a comment at the novel site or send me a private message. It was not addressed to the moderators or the integrity of the site. They answered questions from the reader. I think you missed something when you were reading through this thread to come up with your comments... they seem a little out of Left field....

Can you give examples, if you have them, of the exact comments that were deleted? This is all sort of speculative unless we know what is deleted.

I agree with what Enchantment of Nyx wrote to you, and I would add a postscript to it: don't leap to quick judgments. Take your time and learn about the site before making judgments.

We all go through this process of learning about the site, its owners, and their protocols. Withhold judgment until you are further along in the learning process.

 

[Emirus]

We all go through this process of learning about the site, its owners, and their protocols. Withhold judgment until you are further along in the learning process.

I think maybe the problem is the OP only registered 7 weeks ago and in that time he’s had 17 stories published. I think it’s safe to assume he hasn’t been writing a new story every three days and he’s had them stored away. If he’s then been submitting in bulk and getting them sent back, without him understanding why, that goes some way toward explaining his exasperation BUT the way he’s gone about finding out why it’s happening has not been the best.

But presumably he’s been able to understand the rejection notices? Otherwise how would he have been able to make the necessary alterations to get the stories published? I which case why is he asking what’s going on?

When I registered over two years ago, initially just to make comments, and began submitting I didn’t know how the site worked. I just thought you sent a story in, it was published as you’d written it, and it got votes and comments. I think that’s how the OP sees it. I’m still learning about how the site works and often I’ll read a comment and think “I didn’t know that.” Although sometimes the comments are so long and convoluted I still don’t understand it.

I struggle with abbreviations (originally I had to investigate what OP meant but I’ve got that one now) and if someone hadn’t put Social Justice Warrior I would still be pondering the meaning of SJW. Next time it appears I’ll have forgotten again.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

I struggle with abbreviations (originally I had to investigate what OP meant but I’ve got that one now) and if someone hadn’t put Social Justice Warrior I would still be pondering the meaning of SJW. Next time it appears I’ll have forgotten again.

You may have already picked up on this, but "SJW" is almost always (now anyway) meant in a derogatory or dismissive manner. In the current internet parlance SJWs go about imposing their views and morality on other hard working freedom loving people for no other reason than they think they can get away with it or because of "virtue signaling", in which case, they're also hypocrites.

It may have been meant neutrally in the past, to indicate someone who is passionately liberal about social issues, and potentially a little strident in the interwebs. But now, almost anyone using the abbreviation or the phrase means it as an insult.

and, I don't know about you, but I'm gonna steer clear of insulting Laurel, and I recommend that our OP does also.

 

[Emirus]

I don't know about you, but I'm gonna steer clear of insulting Laurel, and I recommend that our OP does also.

One example of stupidity is of trying to change something you have no control over particularly when 99.999999% of other people using the same product don’t support you. It’s best then to quietly slide back into obscurity.

I don’t think it’s a question of steering clear of Laurel. You often read criticisms and opinions as to what people would like to be done or would do if they owned the site. But those people aren’t insulting Laurel they are simply stating something in a polite way. You can’t keep all the people happy all the time and that applies to everything on this earth.

If you aren’t happy shopping somewhere then stop shopping there. Don’t give yourself a heart attack getting worked up about something you can do nothing about.

 

[NotWise]

AntonioSanova seems to be long gone from his thread, so you're just talkin' to each other.

 

[MohanSingh]

Lol

This thread is the funniest thing on here. Don't get too wrapped up in votes and scores. They are meaningless. People will tell you if your story is bad or good. If they like it they will usually come back to read again.