Breaking: How to Stop Unrec Trolls

[apacherose]

I've noticed a disturbing trend lately, and it seems to be getting worse with each passing day.

Have you noticed how almost every single post regarding criticism of Obama, criticism of criticism of Obama, the war in Iraq (it's over?), the war in Afghanistan, and almost EVERY OTHER POSSIBLE TOPIC gets an immediate unrec? Or two, or three?

Have you also noticed how the first response to almost every single one of these posts is a comment about the unrec? "The unreccers have gotten to this one already", "Who could possibly unrec this", "F***ing Freepers at work"???

Here's a tip: Stop! Don't respond about unrecs! Definitely don't let that be the first response a thread gets! This unreccing is childish and irrelevant, and it should be treated as such! Don't give these losers the validation they so desperately crave.


OK, rant over, now lets see how many unrec's I get :P

[liberal N proud]

1. Gee you already got an unrec?

What is wrong with people!


:rofl:

[KansasVoter]

2. If you unrec you should at least have the guts to say why. Most cowards here do not.

[xultar]

33. ROFFPNMFPLMFAO

[KansasVoter]

54. I made up what those initials mean but posting them will get me banned for insulting you!

[xultar]

56. Why not give it a try. Don't be a coward. ROFL.

:rofl:

[KansasVoter]

72. You are the coward, I don't want to be banned.

[dixiegrrrrl]

76. I alerted on you but those initials were not one of the alert options,

so you got off free.



:evilgrin:

[xultar]

79. Buhwawawawawa! I think I'm gonna wet myself laughing!

[Name removed]

69. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[KansasVoter]

71. I agree, he is all those things.

[xultar]

74. Yes, Yes, he is and sooooo much more!!!

[Name removed]

80. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[xultar]

83. There sweetheart. I knew you had it in ya. Feel better?

:hug:

You are getting so worked up over absolutely nothing.

You really need to get away from the computer.. There is a whole planet out there for you to explore and enjoy.

[no limit]

3. I reced this but it only brought it up to zero. Fucken freepers

[trumad]

4. LOL

I always found that telling this forum to stop something is like pissing in the wind.

[NC_Nurse]

5. I've been wanting people to stop commenting on it for a long time. It's pointless

and whiny. Good threads eventually overcome a few unrecs anyway so how about a little patience, people?

[trotsky]

8. I NEED INSTANT VALIDATION GODDAMMIT!!!!!!

ARE YOU SOME KIND OF FREEPER?!?!?!?

[NC_Nurse]

13. bwaaahahahahaha!

[LynneSin]

23. Oh no - I just know all those unrec trolls are conspiring to keep me off the DU home page!!

:sarcasm:

[xultar]

27. Yes, there is a special unrec forum where we vote and then

go out and unrec their threads.

Because everyone knows real liberals can organize.

[LynneSin]

31. Damnit - I knew you evil people were conspiring against me

:cry:

Why do you make baby jesus cry?

[xultar]

32. "Why do you make baby jesus cry?" Because he bitches about unrec.

:evilgrin:

[L0oniX]

6. K & U

[MrScorpio]

7. Great OP

Now let's see, what can you do about those pesky Chemtrails?

[apacherose]

9. Just don't look!

It's not the unrecs that bother me so much. It's the response. Everyone has seen threads get de-railed by unrelated issues and bickering, and this is just as bad.

[whistler162]

10. I contend that the first unrec'r is also the one who complains

the most!

unrec for attempting to start a whining thread!

[xultar]

20. atempting to start a whining thread. FUCKING MISHUN ACCOMPLISHED!

[uncommon]

11. Unrec'd. And IBTL.

lol

[Alcibiades]

12. Unrec

Because you asked for it.

[CakeGrrl]

14. I automatically unrec any post that discusses recs/unrecs

on principle.

By the by, the same goes for just about any positive news about Obama. Some people can't even stand to see a pictures of the man in photo threads stumping for Dem candidates or spending time with his children.

[LynneSin]

24. Unless the thread in question is asking you to unrec their thread

then I piss them off by rec'ing it.

[Xenotime]

15. Who unrec'ed this?

[xultar]

35. The real question should be who wouldn't.

[Warren Stupidity]

38. ^ what xultar said ^

[Lisa0825]

16. Yeah, it has nothing to do with content.

I suspect it is someone who actually hates the unrec feature and they want to be annoying about it to try to make a point.

[Bitwit1234]

17. I don't understand about the unrecs.

Is that about un recommending your message to the greatest page or what. I don't understand why anyone would just arbitrarily just unrec a post. but then some people like to cause confusion.

[xultar]

18. I'm gonna sneak into your house and write Unrec on your forehead then

I'm gonna write it on everyone who lives in your household. Then I'll take your pets because they don't deserve to be in an unrec'd household.

On my way out I'll use grass killer to unrec your yard.

Then I'll put notices in all your neighbor's mailboxes telling them why I did it.

[Warren Stupidity]

40. I'm going to sneak into my house and write unrec on my forehead and blame you

but I will do it using a mirror and write cernU instead.*










* not accurate due to character set limitations. (and spelink mustooks.)

[xultar]

46. Will you also call me a coward and spank me?

Pretty please?

[Common Sense Party]

86. You're a homeunreccer.

[xultar]

91. I'm a whore!

[Starry Messenger]

92. ^post love^

I'm giving it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

94. Are you drinking on an airplane again?

:rofl:

[LynneSin]

19. Here's a concept - if a post is really home page worthy a few unrecs won't hurt it.

I think we spend way too much time worrying about these 'unrec trolls'. Personally I love the current recommendation system because it ensures that ideas supported by most DUers make the DU home page. Before this current system, it was abused by certain groups mainly the Obama vs. Clinton groups during the Dem Primaries. I would see horrible things posted about one of the 2 dem candidates and then sure enough the post would make it to the DU home page and those who thought those posts were disgusting had no way of fighting back other than making their nasty threads about the other candidate. Posts like that today would never ever make the DU homepage because enough people would unrec to keep it off.

I just recently had a DU thread make the DU home page. It was about gay marriage (in a nutshell - don't like it don't do it) and I watched at it grew with recommendations until there it was on the DU homepage. Sure the number would go up up up up and then suddenly hit with a few downs but because it was such a good message it got to the DU home page.

Outside of that I rarely look at the unrec feature when I read DU threads. I look for either those that seem to have titles of interest to me or those written by certain DUers who I've come to know for great threads.

We give way too much credit for the UNREC feature.

[Lisa0825]

97. I completely agree! I like the system and think it works rather well! nt

[BootinUp]

21. I am not going to say whether anyone may have unrecced this. nt

[Vickers]

22. You calling DUers who unrec crap like this TROLLS?

:wtf:

[Vickers]

25. Oh, and: non-anonymous Unrec from me. n/t

[xultar]

26. People who write whiney ass threads get unrec. I don't know why they don't get

that shit...
maybe cuz they are too busy whining?

If someone unrecs a whiner, They are my hero and I give them sex for free.

[Vickers]

30. Woo-hoo!

:headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang::headbang:

[backwoodsbob]

78. I unrecced this

:hide:

[snot]

28. Totally disagree.

The unreccer's aren't seeking attention -- on the contrary! I've yet to see one reveal their identity. Their goal is to SINK THREADS THEY DON'T LIKE. When this is done to a thread that deserves more rather than less attention -- a post containing useful info or thoughtful analysis, e.g. -- our main recourse is to call attention to the incidence of yet ANOTHER wrongful attempt to sink a deserving thread.

I wouldn't mind if the unrec function were being used solely to sink posts that are factually erroneous, unduly inflammatory, trivial, etc.; but the problem is, that's NOT the only way it's being used. It is being used actively by 'con trolls.

[CakeGrrl]

45. Rec'ing and unrec'ing DOES NOT SINK A THREAD

You can only sink a thread by not responding to it. I've just kicked this thing back up to the top whether I like it or not.

Sometimes the "0" rec threads signify a contentious, and thereby potentially interesting, topic - in a trainwreck sort of way. People check it out out of curiousity, and one post kicks it back up to visibility.

[xultar]

51. The Unrec insanity brigade never seem to get that fact.

[snot]

118. I believe you're mistaken. If you look at the Greatest, they appear in descending order of net recs.

A thread that can't net 5 recs never even makes it to the Greatest Page, which is the only place a lot of people ever look.

I personally have seen many worthy threads killed by trolls before making it to the Greatest Page.

I'm not sure what the number of replies has to do with it . . . I agree I'm under the impression it does something -- I know a thread with a lot of replies is shown as "on fire" in the forum's chronological list of threads -- but again, if you look at the Greatest, what appears to count is the net number of recs.

[yawnmaster]

58. you haven't seen any reveal their identity??? Many admit it and state reasons!

the main reason being they don't deem it to be, in their opinion, of a quality to be on the greatest page.
It doesn't sink a thread!
I am unrecing this and yet kicking it back to the top!

[Iggo]

104. Identity REVEALED!

Ah-ha! :crazy:

[MineralMan]

29. Whatever else you do, immediately start a new thread about unrecs.

That seems to be the popular thing. Everyone's doing it these days.

[onpatrol98]

34. I unrecommended your OP

In my infinite DU wisdom, I thought it unworthy of Front Page status. When I saw your title, "How to Stop Unrec Trolls", I assumed you were going to share a really cool method like a "virtual" tar and feather system, or a cool Internet app that forced unrecommendations to become recommendations while simultaneously shutting down the aggressors PC.

Imagine my disappointment to discover it was merely a rant. If you really do have a cool app, put that in your headline next time, and I'll definitely recommend it. Otherwise, I'll be forced to consider the notion that truly worthwhile Front Page posts, generally really do make it to the Front Page. None of mine have....but, clearly that's because they weren't worthy. My search for the app...continues.

Signed,
Troll NoMore

[xultar]

36. FUCKING REC!!!!

[apacherose]

44. Missing the point

No, a lot of you are missing my point.

I don't care at all about unrecs, who does them, or why they do. I just think I (and most everyone else) are sick of the predictable first-comment response to them.

[Warren Stupidity]

37. UNREC! TROLL! POUT! RAGE! (unrecc'd nt.)

[slackmaster]

39. I gave this thread an Unrec because it's an attempted broad-brush smear

Of the drive-by Unrec community.

We are the new Silent Majority.

[xultar]

49. I unrec'd beause it was stupid.

[Heidi]

41. You're WAY out of line in characterizing as "trolls" DUers simply using a DU feature

provided by the DU admins. Do expect an explanation from every DUer who recommends your threads? No? Why not?

[TexasObserver]

63. well said

[Radical Activist]

42. Net recommendation: 0 votes (Your vote: -1)

hah good post.

[gulliver]

43. The system needs a design change, IMO.

I don't use unrec at all, and even rec has problems because it can be used to log roll.

[madinmaryland]

47. Un-rec. Oh, and Welcome to DU!

[apacherose]

48. Dead even

Nice, we're at exactly 0 votes.

[xultar]

53. No it isn't. Unrec is winning. The whiners didn't want to see the # of

unrecs. It made them cry. So, Skinner took the feature away.

[Arkansas Granny]

50. I have really gotten tired of people whining about getting an unrec.

If the first response to a thread is the OP complaining about getting an unrec, I usually don't read any further.

[xultar]

52. I was tired of it too until I realized it is like I'm a cat and they are a mouse...

and I'm playing with them. It's pretty fun if you pretend.

[KansasVoter]

55. Unrec cowards is what I call them. Too scared to comment because they are stupid but can unrec.

[xultar]

57. Unrec

:rofl:

[yawnmaster]

59. -1

[KansasVoter]

65. At least you admitted it. Better than the cowards.

[xultar]

75. How old are you 60? 70?

[KansasVoter]

82. Why, cowards are young?

[xultar]

84. You remind me of my mother. She gets all carried away by the little things...

meanwhile life is passing her by.

Don't let it happen to you.

[KansasVoter]

88. Ahh, get a clue, everything here is a little thing. And you are posting a lot for little things! LOL

[xultar]

93. I'm enjoying playing around with you today. I have a huge process running

So I have time.

When I don't have time. I don't post.

I live in ATL and work in San Francisco. I usually don't have time but today you get the gift of my comedic presence.

[KansasVoter]

100. "Process".....sounds like a I/T geek.......unless it means something else.

and, if this is the best comedy you do then you need more work! :-)

[xultar]

103. Yes. this process is taking for ever. I check on it. then come to DU

I am avoiding typing a help guide on how to create an eRequisition.

PUKE

So I hang on DU when avoiding bullshit work or waiting for a process to finish or both.

Anyway I'm gonna go hang in another thread. TTYL. If you are ever in ATL or SF PM!

[KansasVoter]

112. Thanks! I am an I/T geek too. I know your pain!

[beam me up scottie]

68. Would you prefer a complementary "I think the op sucks donkey dick" post with every unrec?

Seems a little time consuming, how much more will I get paid?

[KansasVoter]

73. If that is the most intelligent answer you can come up with then that is fine!

[xultar]

90. You must have so much more goinfg on than watching who unrecs what on DU.

I'm sure you have people who love you, pets,
You must like doing other things than seeing what gets unrec'd.

IF you don't let's talk. I just learned to knit and I do that on my flights now. I'd love a knitting buddy. Or writing. Do you have a blog? If so PM me the link. If not start one and PM me the link. I'd love to add it to my blog lines.

DU is not the end all be all. Get away and enjoy life.

[beam me up scottie]

110. No kidding, anyone who froths at the mouth for hours over hypothetical unrecs needs some perspective

Or something.

[beam me up scottie]

109. No, really, you should tell people what to post when they unrec your threads.

DU is all about YOU, isn't it?

Obviously anyone not dazzled by your brilliance and inspired to write volumes of flowery praise in your honour doesn't deserve to have a differing opinion/option to unrec.

[xultar]

81. I think it is big sweaty donkey balls.

[beam me up scottie]

108. That IS better!

:D

[potassiumnitrate]

114. Hear Hear

Unrec has been around for HOW LONG now? I can't believe people are still bitching about it.

GET OVER IT.

[beam me up scottie]

60. Q: What's the surest way to get DUer's to do something? A: Lecture them not to.

Unreccing on principle.

[TexasObserver]

61. Faulty premise. There's no such thing as "unrec trolls."

There's posters who don't share your opinion on the recommend worthiness of threads.

This one is easily Unrecommended.

[11 Bravo]

67. "There's no such thing as unrec trolls"?

You've been here long enough to know that's bullshit. Whether to respond to them validates their existence is open to debate, but to deny their very existence is, to put it charitably, myopic naivete taken to a whole new level.

[TexasObserver]

70. EarlG posted in a thread six months ago debunking that.

Read it yourself right here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=7807403&mesg_id=7807633

There are posters who disagree with you on the recommend worthiness of threads. They're not trolls. They're posters who don't agree with you and your conclusions.

Some posters have higher standards for recommending than you do. You should simply accept this, and stop thinking it is some sinister force destroying good threads with massive unrecommends.

[xultar]

77. Nope apparently we are coward trolls. ROFL.

[TexasObserver]

85. And the "but they don't even tell why the unrecommend" meme fails.

I've told them since day one, and they never like or accept the explanation.

The furor is about a refusal to accept failing grades and therefore reaching for an explanation that would amount to stuffing the ballot box by their opposition. They believe they're never outvoted because a thread sucks, but only because there's nefarious troll posters who are on the board 24/7, unrecommending good threads.

[11 Bravo]

87. I read it: EarlG's thread ACKNOWLEDGES that there at least a couple of unrec trolls here.

I responded to a post that claims they don't exist. Said claim was, and remains, bullshit.

[TexasObserver]

89. No, he didn't say that at all.

[11 Bravo]

98. What part of EarlG's own words do you fail to comprehend?

"We have seen one or two individuals who seem intent on unreccing lots of threads just because they can, or perhaps to cause trouble." That's from the same thread you posted to support the claim that unrec trolls don't exist.

[TexasObserver]

107. It's clear that you're inventing words in your own head.

EarlG never called anyone an unrec troll, and your insistence he did is bizarre, at best.

Work on your reading comprehension and learn that when you use words an author didn't use, you're making things up.

[11 Bravo]

111. You're no longer worth my time.

No, Earl didn't actually use the word "troll". He did, however, specifically reference individuals who "unrec a lot of threads just to cause trouble". Pray tell, what the fuck do you think a troll is?
Someone's reading comprehension is in question here, but believe it, it ain't me.
In your world, if someone is called an "ignorant copulating anal aperture", how much time would you devote to spluttering about how they had not actually been called a "stupid fucking asshole"?

(And if the shoe fits ...)

[stray cat]

62. Cry and whine alot? Of maybe post worthwhile info instead of crap?

[Ikonoklast]

64. Your Rec Fu is weak.

My Unrec Fu, however is Mighty.

Unrec.

[elocs]

66. How about stop obsessing about Recs since kicking a thread is more important to its being seen.

Since when do we judge the merits or importance of anything simply based upon its popularity? As far as I'm concerned they can dump the whole damn Rec/UnRec thing and end the constant bellyaching about it.

[Lisa D]

95. I never get tired

of these Rec/Unrec posts. They're so entertaining!

:popcorn:

[LynneSin]

96. Hey don't bogart the popcorn and btw...

welcome to DU :hi:

[apacherose]

101. Thanks!

for the welcome. Ahh, look what I've done. Never knew observation and time-saving advice were so similar to "crying and whining".

[LynneSin]

105. You have to understand - you're beating a dead horse with this topic

and btw welcome to DU too :hi:

I honestly don't care if my threads get recs/unrec - it just is what it is.

[alcibiades_mystery]

99. Unrecced for unrec whining

:rofl:

[City of Mills]

102. I appreciate this post

I've written the same thing a number of times in my head, I just never bothered to post it because I just feel it will fall on deaf ears. Still, I'm glad you posted it. Agreed completely, and recced (not that you care :) )

[Iggo]

106. Oops, I forgot.

WELCOME TO DU.

Yay!

:toast:

[A-Schwarzenegger]

113. Change "rec" to "goo-goo" & change "unrec" to "poo-poo."

Whenever there's a problem, simply change the names of things.

[mmonk]

115. Yes. Either that or it's me they don't like.

[Freetradesucks]

116. If you really want to stop the bullshit unrecs the solution is simple,

Make it public who rec'd and unrec'd. On many other sites it's common to see who voted how on any given poll. If the troll unrec'rs were made public they would stop at once, because they want to continue their "undercover psy-ops operations".

[dajoki]

117. Agreed !! K&R

[XOKCowboy]

119. One other way. Don't give a damn about recs or unrecs

Works very well for me. :)

[McCamy Taylor]

120. Nonsense. If no one keeps track of the unrec's people will not know.

Do not let the unrec trolls do their dirty work in secret. When paid moles for the health insurance industry rec down some thread about how "Everyone deserves health care" (who would unrec that?) we should all know. Otherwise, the moles make it look like no one at DU supports healthcare.

One of the best ways to keep track is post a K&R so people can add up how many positive recs there are.