How do you handle the issue of integrity when commenting and Liking on HubPages?

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   Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

   How do you handle the issue of integrity when commenting and Liking on HubPages?
   
   Earlier I had a tendency to write comments or 'vote Up' with self-serving motives. That felt not well as I did not always really like what I Liked. I shifted to Voting and Commenting more from a true response. Hubs can be allowed to mature over a period of a week and be seen by other eyes before publishing. Comments are more immediate. It is often harder for me to write meaningful comments or answers than a hub. Still, I like to connect some, in a real way, with other writers. So, what do you do about this?

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   Larry Fieldsposted 11 years ago

   "I shifted to Voting and Commenting more from a true response."
   
   Agreed. And I do more voting and commenting here than in other places. I hope that others reciprocate. I vote down for weapons-grade stupidity, and for atrocious writing that I cannot read. However I do cut some slack for ESL writers who have something to say.

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      EP.
      Thanks for your best answer. I really appreciate this!

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Larry, I also look to the message of writers for whom English is not their first language. Once offered to edit the profile of a hubber whose sincerity was clear. It risked offending but she appreciated the offer & used my edit. I also like criti

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   manatita44posted 11 years ago

   It is a process of growth, and It is good that you see the problem, my brother EP.
   
   I approach life like prayer, not Saturday or Sunday, but throughout my daily functional and seemingly non-functional states. I carry this to the work place naturally and I carry it here to Hub Pages. It is the approach of one who tries to serve. To do this with the idea of elevating or inspiring others, one may occasionally seem slightly harsh, but even this tinge must be done with love.
   
   Someone just commented on Christ's outburst at the Temple. I am not advocating that style, but perhaps it shows that when love exists, one can sometimes take certain measures to enhance the individual's consciousness.
   
   Integrity? I told you that I felt sad about what seemed to me, to be an implication that I know only one way, or at least I should be wary of only one way. I did not expect this from someone I believe to have as many windows in his heart, like I do. I am equally happy with the one who finds his peace in Christ, as the one who finds it elsewhere. The journey is ultimately personal.
   This is just a minor example of the integrity aspect. There is also the element of we liking people to read our Hubs and so we feel that we should say nice things about theirs. Nothing wrong here, we all like to feel a sense of self-esteem, to be admired and appreciated.
   
   Still, it is important to be our true selves and sincere in our approach to others, avoiding cynicism and bigotry where we can. This will become apparent to us, as long as we feel a sincere desire to serve and not to deliberately hurt others feelings. This does not mean that we won't, let us be practical here. But we would be doing it with sincerity of purpose; purity of intent.
   
   This is just one way of approaching it. Finally, we can also reflect on our own Hubs as any good writers do, and in retrospect, change or add things accordingly. It is also useful to say sorry when or if we feel that we may not have not got it right. This does not diminish us, but increases others trust in us, and elevates our spirit in the eyes of God. Words are powerful, and we are all fragile.
   
   It is easier for me to write comments and answers on Hubs, because I choose the ones I feel capable of responding to with the spirit of integrity. So you may wish to reflect on this approach. That said, we both know that Hubs are increasing all the time, traffic is great and that one cannot respond to everything. I also read and enjoy some Hubs in silence.

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Your words are well received and deeply felt, manatita. A nice synchronicity that you suggest writing comments on Hubs as I reached the same conclusion this morning and have started 'making the rounds!' Less Q's, more H's. Your Answer hits the nail.

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      manatita44posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      My pleasure, Emanate Presence. My finger hurts so I will stop soon. Too much computing, perhaps. Have a great day!

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   JimTxMillerposted 11 years ago

   I handle commenting and voting up as honestly as I write hubs. I see no integrity issues here. If I don't like a particular hub, I leave it as I found it and move on.

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I find myself doing that more. Spent the morning commenting in a more meaningful way on hubs where it felt well.

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   Li Galoposted 11 years ago

   I have never voted or commented based on self serving motives but I can see why people would, if this assists them in some way.  Does it?  I also only follow those I really, really like - though I don't always have time  to read what they write due to my very busy schedule (wish I did have the time!).  I think honesty is key in all areas of my life - not just online.  So, my comments are honest - not just a "good job" comment. I have to feel moved to write a comment but if I like a piece, I will vote it up (not necessarily commenting on it).

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      Emanate Presenceposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Li Galo, to respond more fully to your comment I will use the Answer feature. It should appear somewhere on this page! Thank you for writing.

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   Emanate Presenceposted 11 years ago

   This has been part of my online community learning process, Li Galo.
   
   You wrote, 'I have never voted or commented based on self serving motives but I can see why people would, if this assists them in some way. Does it?'
   
   Initially I had some motives to bring attention to my art as I wanted our lives to be sustainable through its beauty and our love for it. Not fully cured of being an entrepreneur pre-2000, I was putting all my energy and effort into making a way for us to not feel forced to return to the world system of employment.
   
   In that mode, I used every means to build audience, reputation, etc. For some, certainly not all, commenting and voting can be a way of attracting readers. When such is the motive, it does not feel well to me. I was liking things I did not actually feel attracted to, to be part of the community - not so much on HubPages as in a previous writer's community which I 'belonged to.'
   
   By the time I found HubPages, I had such an aversion to the whole community point system, it took me two months to follow another hubber. I acquiesced by telling myself I am following the writing not a personality.
   
   Now it is getting easier. I follow writers I feel drawn to in my sense of who they are as well as or more than in what they write.
   
   Just in the past two days I am more comfortable with writing hub comments as they are feeling more real to me. It is easier in one way and harder in another as 'being real' makes me work and go inside more, but that is also what I want. I have to find ways to really feel a writer and express something that is meaningful, not use the same superlatives or quick and easy comments. My primary motive now is to be honest, real, and if any connections are made that they are connections of the Heart.

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