Yesterday I was introduced to the latest edition of bots on the Steemit platform called Smackdown Kitty (https://steemit.com/steem/@l0k1/introducing-smackdown-kitty).
This is a very controversial topic within the community, but I happen to agree that for the long term future of the platform something needed to be done about people being able to upvote their own comments at will. For right now this only affects Steemit users with Steem Power above 1,000.
Should there be a bot following people around Steemit smacking down users upvotes if they upvote their own comments or should the Steemit developers just build something into the platform that prevents a user from being able to upvote their own comments is the question?
I would be curious to get your opinion if you think that this is a good move or bad move for the community. Please comment and leave your thoughts below.
See You At The Top and Steemit To The Moon,
Connect with me on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meetseanwalters
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtYB-ab-sz72kQK65t-DTeQ
Sean
I have never heard that before. For me it doesn't do any good to upvote my own comments because I'm still a minnow. I'm better off using it on other people's content and comments to try and connect with them. I guess I don't have a problem with people doing it though. A lot of people have time and money invested to get to a point where their upvote is powerful. I'd rather see something like being only able to upvote your own stuff 5 times a day then penalize.
I agree with @bodyinbeta. It's bad to always be upvoting your own comments... but every once in a while I think it's fine. That's one of the advantages that comes with being invested in Steem or having earned Steem Power. Getting to upvote your comment to the top so that it's seen is a perk of having a good amount of Stake in Steem.
Let me know if you disagree and why. I'd like to hear the other side of the argument.
I did it for for sometime but not doing it anymore. The website is still in beta phase so I think, a lot is going on at the backstage. Let's see how the final version looks like.
Yeah I agree that your time would be better spent building relationships and followers on the platform rather than upvoting your own comments. However, some would disagree and feel that they should be able to upvote their own comments, so perhaps the community may find a middle ground somewhere.
bots are evil
they do much more damage to steem than anything else.
yes!! i agree...they are like viruses...with 5 metallic toothpick legs....ughh..
You absolutely right!
Some of them are. I would prefer that if Steemit wants to make the change just do it within the code itself.
remember we are still beta...
Yes we are and most likely will be in BETA for quite some time.
yep...am kinda resigned by the idea even tho I don't fully understand why...unless we hit a million users by year end ;P
If they do what they actually proposed in the next hard fork then it may not be impossible to reach several hundred of thousands of more Steemians by the end of the year.
some heavy global traders say is going to be a soft fork...(like if I know what am talking about :P)..I can provide the link he is a steemian here reccomended by WTF! @cem
I think you should be able to upvote your comments, however not more than a dollar, this should also apply to posts. This is my opinion. sometime upvoting your comments it's not use to get money but for the comments to get to the top and be read more.
@raybilson I agree with your statement that you should be able to upvote your comments, but that there should be some limitations on this. Hopefully this is addressed in Steemit's next hardfork.
This is an interesting take on the website and how it functions. Personally, I believe that if the creators of SteemIT don't want people to upvote themselves, then they should write that into the code.
Way before this website came along I thought of an idea like this. You can check out my blog post about it, here: https://steemit.com/money/@sreepyeldarb/does-this-make-cents-sense-a-button-for-change
While the idea might be designed differently, the concept is the same.
@sreepyeldarb I agree as well that it should be hard coded into the Steemit platform that way there is no argument about bots chasing you down or anything of the sort. Thank you for providing the article as I will take a look at it.
I have seen so many people talked about this here on steemit. I myself would stay neutral. This is not democracy right? lol. Thanks for posting
@mountrock I agree but just wish that they would build it in instead of having a bot follow you around Steemit.
I see both sides. For one, users should be able to vote their stake the way they want, and as the platform allows. However, it likely is not in the best interest of this place long term if all the largest accounts started only voting their own comments...
In my opinion the best solution is at the code level as the current model can't police the entire platform. They should limit the amount of selfvotes per day. For example 4 self votes per day would get rid of a lot of the comment self voting as well as the post spamming... which is only getting worse.
I like that idea... 🙌🏼
Me too!
Yes if these changes were hard coded into the platform there would very little issues with it.
I don't know if my brain is just not working right, but I can not seem to find the "Resteem" button. Everyone needs to know about this!
@udochiokeke thank you for stopping by to view this video. The "ReSteem" button is right beside the "Reply" button.
bad move. let users do what they want, cause many users are investing big on steemit.
Well if you let the users do what they want to do by upvoting their own comments with no restrictions on how many times it can be done this may not be the best thing for the long term growth of the platform. However, I do feel that if they are going to create bots to enforce this why not just code it into the the platform and be done with it so that it just cannot be done.
There has been a lot of grumbling about people upvoting their own comments. I think the greater good of the platform comes first rather that ones ability to take as much as one can.
I upvoted your comment, hope that's ok :) And I don't care if my 100% votes don't really do much. I'm still such a minnow, but hey, it's just a token of appreciation, right?
btw I'm awed at your upvote trail @marcusxman. How do you do it? Seems you're on Steemit 24/24... 😵
Hi @fitzgibbon, check out the two post i made a couple of weeks ago.
https://steemit.com/minnowsupportproject/@marcusxman/important-are-you-a-minnow-if-yes-then-you-need-the-minnow-support-project
https://steemit.com/minnowsupportproject/@marcusxman/important-how-to-join-the-minnow-support-project
Make sure you join Streemian.com and you will find your answer.
I know and just think that if the feature never existed in the first place this would be a non-factor. However, once you put something like this into the hands of people it is hard to take back. They should just build this into the platform if this is the direction that they want to take and that way prevent people from even doing it.
Without this feature I think maybe Steemit.com would not be where it is now. which may become an albatross around its neck.If they can solve this issue as well as copy/modify a little/paste then the reward pool will be safe. But having said that I think we're stuck because of bot voting. Not saying bot voting is bad becasue I use it too, but because the bots are already set and will vote what ever is posted.
@marcusxman I agree that something needed to be done but the Steemit developers should have just coded it in instead of having a bot chase you down.
I think it is better to build it on the platform and prevent users from upvoting their own comments. But maybe limit it to users with more than 100 Steem Power. As a minnow an extra boost on the comment sections will be a great help.
I agree and hopefully as I have read that this next hard fork should address this situation and put it to rest.
Very Interesting... Voting a few of your own comments sometimes is ok to get seen on steemit on top of the comments area. However who knows, I heard HF20 will address this down the road :)
I read this as well and I agree that if you do not want this happening on the platform just code it into the platform so that the action cannot be performed by any user.
Very good article of truth that I liked a lot of successes and thanks for the story
I'm going to assume that you like the idea of upvoting your own comments as well?
THANKS TO YOU AND SUCCESS
Your welcome
lol
Yeah it is true a bot.
At least he has less than 1000 Sp. But His upvote makes you wonder if he even READ the post.
No he did not read the post or watch the video but it is cool, lol!
Oh I hadn't realized it was only for SteemPower above 1,000. I'm still not sure how I feel about it. If someone has put in the massive amount of time and energy that it takes to rise to the highest ranks then why shouldn't they be able to reap the rewards? But even if "we" decide it's not good to self-upvote I think it has to be built into the platform. I don't think bots are the answer. It makes me wonder: 1. Who decided not to build it into the platform? and 2. Who decided/allowed the creation of bots that remove rewards? Was this a collective decision or did someone just randomly go create a bot and unleash it?
I'm not sure why it was not built into the platform and it seems like this would be done doing a hard fork. However, I agree that if this is the direction they want to take the platform in where you want to deter people from not upvoting their own comments just build it into the platform that way you do not have to worry about it or deal with all of these bots on the platform.
If you want to prevent self voting build it in the platform.
I would agree to just build it into the platform, no bots.
right... too many bots are taking over like in "i robot"
I am creating one too. let me know if you want to start self commenting :p
lol
Ironically the only reply before me is someone upvoting their own comment, classic!
I know as I had a good laugh as well but I was guilty of this too until yesterday when I found out about this bot.
lol oh...laughin hard...thank u lol
I would just rather the developers build it into the platform personally.
Hey Sean, I don't agree with it. While I do think that self upvoting may be good in some cases. I think it's really a non issue if your vote is worth pennies. On the other hand there are others who brag about being able to get upwards of 300 dollars ( and post crap on here) to reap huge rewards. If this really IS an issue then Steemit and @ned have to have a sit down an do away with it or end the ridiculous POLICING that is happening. When, I and many others cannot vote because of " exceeded bandwidth" and when others are voting mindlessly with services like Steemvoter for their friends, there has to be some real delineations and guidelines. Did some research you might want to check out: https://busy.org/smackdown-kitty/@l0k1/beta-testing-of-smackdown-kitty-is-beginning Stay well my buddy!
true...guys like trevonjb and craig-grant are posting with automatic upvote or manual...but i think they are moderate like 10 to 30 dollars i dont know lol. I believe that steemit should not eliminate self upvoting but at least regulate it depending on a percentage of your SP or even SBD...or both...so that it makes sense if you buy steems you should be entitled to some interests dedicated to you but if your SP is coming from the pool then it's not yours...it's ours...i don't know but interesting stuff
I concur . Very interesting and controversial. It's going to become a black eye for Steemit if something isn't done soon. I don't mean a half ass measure either, but a real clear cut "These are our rules". Yes, even this platform needed rules, call them rules, guidelines, TOS whatever.
let's enjoy steemit beta for now...can't when for a new version like with image enlarge options and private messages etc :]
It's young yet. I'm sure it'll get better and better. We just have to be patient and keep a look out for what's going on. Stay informed and make our opinions known.
I think one self vote per day should be the limit.
from a principle point of view, yes. I agree
This bot is only aimed at people that have more than 1,000 SP. I do agree that the developers should just build it into the platform if they want to prevent people from upvoting their own comments if that is the direction they want to take versus having a bot chase people down. The exceeding bandwidth has to do with Powering Up Steem, but I will definitely check out the article that you linked to. Thank you.
I read the arguments in favour and against SmackDown Kitty. In a sense, this bot is an method of informal enforcement. The reacts to SDK will probably drive a decision by the platform devs to formalise no-self-upvotes or no.
I'm slightly in favour of SDK and waiting to see what happens.
Yeah they should just build it in to just prevent this action from taking place and that would eliminate the need for this unnecessary bot. However, I see more coming in the future so this appears to be just the beginning.
I don't make a practice of upvoting my own comments... but .. if the platform allows for it and people wish to do so, then no bot has the right to be a self-appointed cop of it.
A lot people here on the platform feel just like you do especially those that invested in the platform. I as well invested in the platform but understand the reasoning behind the decision, but believe that the developers should just build it into the platform to eliminate the discussion.
It's interesting how people migrate to a site like this because it offers freedom of expression and then decide they need to control others.
@shadowspub I agree as this is not sitting well with a lot of Steemians. This is definitely something that has divided the community and something that I hope will be address in the next Steemit hardfork as we do not need more bots on the platform.
I don't think its a solution and a lot of dolphins and whales would find a way around or instantly power down and snapsell their steem, since there are other currencies like dash, where they get "interest" by holding. I would be careful with ignoring that intrinsic value for holders. Solutions have to be based on an algorythm imo and to be discussed with caution. I do agree that the current system is not community-building and minnows have a hard time to gain attention and steem. But there are possibilites to gain influence (lot of booster/minnowsupport/engaging with others). If someones not patient, that one can still invest money into steem which is for the benefit of all.
If this benefit is removed from the platform I do not necessary see people with a lot of Steem Power powering down to move elsewhere as there are still a lot of options available to earn on the platform besides upvoting your own comments.
However, you are correct that there are other coins that are very attractive that provide other options should people here feel that they aren't being valued or treated well.
My vote is for a hardfork change, not bot intervention. But my guess is the market will take care of it one way or another.
I agree that it should be built into the platform and not more bots to police the community.
I do think upvoting their own content will hurt Steemit.
I agree that by members having unlimited and unrestricted access to this feature doesn't serve the community best interests long term.
The voting system was always intended to be for rewarding good content of others, and not to upvote our own posts or comments, regardless of how good or bad it is. Yes, the mechanics allow it, but that doesn't mean it is intended for that use. Before you argue this point go and read the whitepaper (somewhere near or on page 16).
I would recommend a system of diminishing returns per self vote, with increased drainage of voting power.
For example: Over a 24 hour period
After 3 self votes you now have only 55% of your voting power left, which will take a bit over 2 days to get you back to 100%. After 5 votes you have no power left and a 5 day wait to get it back up. The weight can be 50%, 40%, 30%. It doesn't matter, but the voting power will be the main factor in stopping the abuse of self voting every post and comment.
This is definitely a good suggestion and one that could please both sides as it is not removing the feature from being used but if used frequently diminishes the returns over a period of time. I like it and I think that it should be mentioned to the developers assuming that something like this is not already in the works for the next hard fork.
Thanks @mrwalt. I have posted a more indepth article about my proposed voting system, which hopefully can gain some traction. Would love you to have a look and resteem if you see fit. Thanks!!
https://steemit.com/steem/@bmj/proposed-hf-changes-to-bring-voting-back-in-line-with-its-intended-purpose-rewarding-quality
Thank you for sharing as that was a very indepth article and I think that it is something that should indeed be looked at prior to the next hard fork.
I appeciate your input and thanks for the support.
@bmj my pleasure and thank you for taking the time to put that content together.
Right now, upvoting my posts is worth about 2 cents, so there is no purpose for me to. If I made a major investment in Steam power and I notice that my posts were not gaining any traction because of the curation system here I think I would upvote my posts to get something out of them, especially if I put in a lot of time creating them.
That is exactly what a lot of people that had Steem Power were doing which is upvoting their own post to get the most bang for their buck.
better to upvote the comments on my posts than my own comments
I agree!
It doesnt affect those that don't have a lot of steem power.
That is correct.
I'm kind indifferent in some ways to this topic. In the long run, it's probably best if it's built into the platform because the other route my not entirely curb the problem especially as newcomers jump aboard.
Well this only affects the Steemians that have 1,000 SP or more so new users aren't affected.
Wow I had no clue about this thank you :)
Glad that this information was able to help you out.
should be a limit, some restriction coming up but fair so it doesn't rock too many boats
I agree that something had to be done, but I also agree with being fair to everyone across the board as well. Another Steemian forwarded this to me and I think that you will definitely appreicate the content regarding this very topic - https://steemit.com/steem/@bmj/proposed-hf-changes-to-bring-voting-back-in-line-with-its-intended-purpose-rewarding-quality