I was just wondering, if you read a well written hub but it was something controversial that had a different opinion than you had, would you rate it thumbs down because of that or would you rate it on the hub itself ( written well, lots of information, good layout?)
Just wondering because I write sometimes controversial issues and wonder about peoples thoughts on rating controversial subjects.
I have read others hubs that had differing opinions but rate the hub based on the quality of the writing itself, but that's just me.
Just wondering what others opinions are on this subject of thumbs down and thumbs up and what do you base your ratings on?
No, I wouldn't rate down because I don't agree. Everybody has the right to their own opinions as long as they are not insulting.
I would never rate a hub with a thumbs down just because I didnt agree with its content. Even if it went totally against my thoughts, I would rate it a thumbs up if it had good supporting information, was well written and didnt attack anyone outright. And if it did attack someone outright, I just wouldnt rate the page at all. My theory is that negative attention is just as damaging as bad attention
If it's well written I give it a thumbs up. In fact, I've signed up as the fan of people I disagree with completely, because I felt they would be able to provide a good debate.
I would only give a thumbs down if it was something really bad and not good for anybody. I stick to topics that are of interest and usually always just hit a thumbs up rather than leave a comment. lol
I only thumbs down stuff which I know to be factually incorrect especially if it contains self-serving links
It would depend.
If it's a legitimate view that I happen to disagree with, I'd never mark it down. If it were a hub, say, about all women being stupid and they must never do anything but obey, I might do.
Hi Dorsi, interesting question
I base the rating on the quality of the content, not on whether I agree with it. I would give a Down to something that's entirely fictional but presented to pass as fact, for example. Also content such as the one described by LondonGirl would probably get a down from me. Diverse opinions wouldn't, but toxic and/or disrespectful opinions might.
I tend to only give a thumbs down for poor quality hubs. A good suggestion when you come across those hubs, offer the author some advice for improving the hub. If they are obvious spam, I flag it, of course.
Agreed,
It is always dependent upon how well written the hub is. I have no problem with different opinions. For example, there is one Hubber whose opinions I completely disagree with, but he puts forward intelligent and well thought out arguments. More importantly, he does not censor comments expressing different opinions. I am more than happy to be his fan.
The only hubs that I 'thumbs down' are those giving potentially dangerous advice.
What a great question. As I understand it, the thumbs down icon is for pages of poor quality, and even then, if the content is true, appealing, and useful, quality would not be as much of an issue.
I agree with Teresa. Quality isn't always an issue. Some hubs definitely need tweaking, or the use of spellcheck, however, I won't thumb it down if it gets the point across. If a hub truly makes no sense, or if a hub is mean-spirited and offensive, those get a thumbs down from me
Hubs that inform, spread humor, make one think or spark a healthy debate get thumbs up..
I would not thumbs down a hub I disagreed with. In fact, if I felt compelled to leave a comment, I would most likely give a thumbs up as it did its job and started a conversation. However, I have noticed that my hubs that give a point of view have consistently been lower. Maybe they suck, or maybe people flag them. I just know I appreciate a different point of view and respectful debate.
For me, "thumbs down" is akin to honking my car's horn. I only do it when I feel it's the only way to alert to danger or rudeness. I have quite often had to remind myself that the First Amendment covers everyone, not just those who see the world the way I do.
Even controversial topics don't necessarily get flagged. I would flag if the hub is extremely poorly written or so slanted and offensive as to violate the terms of HP.
Yeah, MM, what about he 'Ho' guy or bean guy or whatever that was?
I usually base my thumb ratings on the overall quality of the hub, not whether it interests me or whether I disagree. However, I give thumbs down to certain kinds of opinion pieces with which I disagree, e.g., those that are racist or homophobic, however well written. I can tolerate well written and researched political positions that differ from mine, but not some of the looney tunes conspiracy crapola all to common on HubPages-- Obama is not eligible for the presidency, the end of the world is coming based on astrology or the Bible, etc. Also, I give thumbs downs to hubs offering bad investment advice--e.g. currency trading, get rich quick schemes, etc.
How about prose that is openly violent and hostile? ...and it was.
I hope you're not referring to anything I wrote. Sometimes I'm impatient and irascible, but not usually violent or hostile. Vigorous yes, hostile, not usually.
No! Ralph! OMG. No--no worries. There was this guy last night just spewing hate and violence towards women--"Ho" everything in his hub and abusive to every female who posted in his comment area. I was just basically watching the fireworks--but this is an instance (and probably the one of the few instances) where I would flag a hub to be removed.
I don't thumb anything up or down--I leave a comment if I like or am interested in whatever has been written. I'm not going to judge if I agree with someone or not, whether the material is poorly written, or 'nonfactual' (unless its dangerous). I feel like the free market for ideas can sort that out.
I am the same with potentially dangerous 'therapies' with misleading information.
Since Sufi is future me, I give thumbs down all all his hubs to keep myself humble. I'm very proud of my humility actually!
Seriously, though, I don't have a real criteria for a thumb down, ... if it's dangerous etc. I flag it. I thumb down based on my own private thoughts when I read it. Typically I'll comment rather than thumb down, though.
Hubs are information. Politics and Religions are the most difficult subjects to write about in a truly objective way since most of it is subjectively driven. So if a person is not open minded enough to used some analytical skills when reading a hub then maybe they should take their dogma elsewhere.
Like others who have commented, i agree that rating down might apply to totally self serving hubs, or extremely rude hubs, or to hubs where the info is so wrong that the hubber could very well be sued for writing such bs.
I especially like the suggestion about censorship of opinions in comments. That's the best reason for rating down IMO.
I don't care what the message says as long as it is well written and laid out, I won't thumb-down it. If it's poorly written, lack of info, poorly laid out, etc., then I'll thumb-down it.
I usually only thumb down hubs if they're poorly written or factually incorrect, but I sometimes make an exception for opinions I consider idiotic and irresponsible. For example, hubs containing racist or borderline racist comments.
If a hub is well written and factually correct, I'll often give a thumbs up even if I disagree strongly with the conclusion.
I only thumbs-down overly promotional hubs which are basically advertisements in all but name, or really annoyingly offensive hubs which also compound their dodgy content with insulting responses to comments. Poor quality English may be difficult to wade through, but so long as the content is sound, I would never thumb it down.
I only give thumbs down when the quality stinks or if I think the hubpage is just wrong. I'd usually post a comment too.
by Satori 16 years ago
Often, we'll be reading Hubs to find a specific answer or solution to something in our lives. And often, we'll get to the end and be "too busy" to rate it. This is understandable; I do it too. Even though I know that by giving a Hub a Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down, I will be...
by Dennis L. Page 11 years ago
Do you give other hubs a "thumbs down" vote?I've never voted a "thumbs down" on any hub, regardless of errors or the tone and nature of an article. If a hub is filled with errors or it is politically charged and I disagree, I may respond, but I do not vote it down. Am I shirking...
by Kari Poulsen 15 years ago
Is it possible for Hubtivity to show who gave a hub a thumbs up. This question came up in my hub "Why I Don't Always Comment, Even When I Loved Your Hub". JamaGenee made the comment, and I agree 100%, that it would be very beneficial to hubbers to see this. People don't...
by Dolores Monet 15 years ago
Is there any way to tell if a particular hub has received any thumbs up or thumbs down, and if so, how many? I've been here long enough, I should know these things. But I don't.
by ProCW 16 years ago
I recently wrote a hub on this and have gotten some good responses from it. I was wondering, does anyone have any sort of method that they use for writing comments for hubs? Do you just write comments on hubs that you like? Do you comment on all the hubs that you read? Do you also give a...
by J.T. 17 years ago
Thumbs up, or thumbs down, does it really mean anything, when someone is rating your hub, and only does it in a negative way, it only means that the person haven´t understand a word of it, don´t let that get under your skin. My dad always said " son, it doesn´t matter what other people say,...
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