FLAGGING
Many people on Steemit know me, know I have been here longer than most (14 months and counting) and a lot of you know my health is crap and that I had been homeless for over a month and that the only reason I am not homeless right now is because of the little money I earn from Steemit. Now I realize I "shouldn't rely on Steemit" but I have been unable to find any work I am capable of doing or raise the funds I need to get a car so I can drive for Uber/Lyft....so all I have is my writing and photography which I post to Steemit.
About a week ago I was flagged by a user named @bayrene and it cost me some money. I found their most recent post (which had already reached Payout) and left two comments:
and
Prior to this happening 7 days ago, I had never had any interactions with @bayrene (other than a few upvotes they claim to have given me. They responded with this comment a few hours later:
To which I immediately responded with:
All the flags I had given @bayrene where on posts that had already paid out, so it cost them nothing. As soon as I saw the responses from @bayrene I removed those flags and thought the issue resolved.
That was until today when my Pending Payouts dropped by 2/3rds from $150 to $50 USD. Upon investigation I quickly discovered that @bayrene had flagged almost all of my current (pending payout) posts.
This type of behavior from fellow Steemians is not good for anyone in the community, nor is it good for Steemit in general. I have over 200 dead followers on my account and a whole bunch of them I talked to on chat before they left steemit. One of the main reasons they cited was being flagged for stupid stuff and not being able to get the flags removed or countered.
More about me!
I try my best to help as many of my fellow Steemians as I can. I upvote a ton of people, rarely ever flag unless it is blatantly plagiarism or spam/scam. I don't, intentionally, start any drama or fights in the community. I post a varying assortment of content to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. I am active in both Discord and Steemit.Chat channels where I answer questions (when I can) from newbies and even veterans. I Delegate my hard earned Steem Power to various groups to help others and to a few individuals as well.
Steemit Inc. and it's developers need to fix this issue!
There is an "abuse of power" prevalent on Steemit and this just proves it beyond any doubt. I understand that the "Flagging" system is there for a reason, to deal with:
However, there needs to be some way to set limits on Flags, or who can flag, or the impact the flags have.
There is way too much Flagging because of:
* Personal Reasons
* Didn't agree with or like the post/comment
* They are against the person for some group affiliations (like supporting minnowsupport)
* They are jealous you making money and they aren't
* They think the post is Over-Valued (gonna pay more than it should)
The whole "disagreement on rewards" being a "valid reason" to flag is flawed as well. If the "community upvotes" it and thinks it "deserves the rewards" then the "community has spoken". Why should some "whale" then be able to "OVER RIDE" what the community said it wanted?
The Flagging System should only be used for:
* Illegal Content (like plagiarism)
* Obviously Inflammatory, Racist, Bigoted Content
* Obviously Scam Content
There should be no other reason to FLAG (at least while one person's flag can cost so much money) a post. Furthermore, the entire FLAG system needs to be overhauled so that ONE FLAG can't destroy the poster, rewards, or reputation. If it takes a community to make money via Upvotes it should also take a community to loose money via Downvotes (Flags). I propose the FLAG system be overhauled as follows:
* All flags (from all SP levels) have the same weight so that from minnow to whale everyone's DOWNVOTE is EQUAL)
* No changes to Pending Payout or Reputation should occur from a SINGLE FLAG, regardless of who it is from
* After the 2nd flag on a post there should be a 10% reduction in Pending Payout
* After the 3rd, 4th or 5th flags on a post there should be an additional 5% reduction (for each flag) in Pending Payout
* If the post receives 6 or more Unique Flags the post should be hidden and each flag from 6 up should give a 5% reduction in Pending Payout
* At 10 Flags on a post there should be a 5% reduction in Reputation Score for each flag from 10 and up.
* Flags should be Offset by 100% Upvotes (after the flag is received) so that the Community truly has a voice. If they feel the post was flagged inappropriately they can counter the flags with Upvotes.
Disclaimer:
I am not trying to start anything and if you managed to read this far you will notice I was not irate, vulgar or even show any signs of being mad. I am frustrated as I desperately depend on the funds I earn on Steemit and having them taken so easily and frivolously is maddening....but I didn't go ballistic or disrespect anyone in anyway.
Update #1
Do to my current financial situation and Steemit being my only source of income; combined with being flagged on all my posts I have had no other choice but to cancel all my delegations.
I am not leaving Steemit and as soon as I am more financially stable (and the flagging stops) I will re-delegate what I can afford. In the meantime I will still help anyone I can in both Steemit.Chat and the various Discord Chat Channels.
Coming Soon! Steem Market online store for Steemians to sell their Merchandise, Photographs and Digital Goods!
Hello @Venuspcs. It is really sad to know the abuse of power by flaging continues without nothing been done. It is true that many people are faustrated on steemit as a result of this issue. We know the whale or higher power people have it all on steemit, but the truth is the platform need newbies to remain. Every platform needs a continous growth and active members to maintain and grow. It is really sad that many people feel discourage by flagging on steemit. A friends(newbie) post was flag by a whale just because he disagree with what he posted. He shared a post about an upcoming crytogene ICO and thay was his offense for been flagged.
Many of this higher power steemian would help the platform better if they give upvote to newbies to encourage them, than flagged them.
I totally agree with @neoxian
I will resteem this. I remember the first time I was flagged which happened recently and the one who flagged me didn't respond after I contacted him. Found out he has been down voting almost everyone from steemd. Luckily, there were people like you who assisted in countering the flag. He entually took down the flag but that feeling of helplessness or being bullied for no reason is not something worthy or a platform that is just growing. I will resteem this and follow you also. Great suggestion.
Bad idea, there are some people that control thousands of minnow bots. These bot owners would be able to wipe posts clean, especially if it wasn't SP based.
I thought about that, which is why I suggested Countering the Flags with Upvotes. It can't be any worse than what it is right now where a few people with High SP can destroy your income, reputation and hide all your content and leave you with no recourse whatsoever.
You are not going to get 500+ 100% upvotes..unless a friendly bot owner counters. Basically this idea will make bot masters your new whales.
Well you have any better suggestions? Cause shit definitely needs to get changed somehow! I have a much higher reputation than the person who flagged me but because he has more SP he was able to destroy me for no reason.
I have no suggestions because I actually like the system the way it is. I did have in idea for doing reputation differently, but that's another matter. It is important that the system respects SteemPower, otherwise, why should I power up?
Specifically with Bayrene, well yea, he is a bit of a jerk, you have my sympathies there. He can't hurt your reputation at least, yours is much higher. Just lay low for a while and he'll probably leave you alone.
I don't know how much of my posts you have read, or of this one....but Steemit is my only source of income at the moment due to health issues there isn't much I can do for work.....so "laying low" is kind of not an option when people can just flag me and take all my income for no reason.
I get that SteemPower is important to most people as a reason to leave the flagging system the way it is and if it was USED PROPERLY I would be okay with that.....but it isn't.....it is routinely abused and has been since it was implemented 13 months ago.
The Steem system does not owe you an income, it doesn't owe me an income either. No one is entitled to receive even a single penny from the reward pool. It is what it is.
I know you dislike Bayrene, but he has invested a shitload of money into Steemit. Where do you think the money comes from? The reason why Steemit can spit out tens and twenties to posters is because people like Bayrene (and myself) have poured tons of money into this system, so that people like you can extract it (your welcome).
Also, I might add, that accounts like me can't "flag as much as we want". Flagging is actually damn expensive, it cuts into my business, and all those flags Bayrene poured on you cost him a lot too. Flagging is not easy or free and there are limiting factors.
what is a bot owner ?
Someone who controls thousands of accounts.
I'm going ro resteem this. Hopefully some whales will respond.
This has been a fight I've been engaging in since you and I started on the same day more than a year ago. I hadn't really been heavily targeted myself until recently, but I was always arguing on the behalf of others as I was seeing the negative impact it was having on this project. Some of the people are so powerful that there is no way to challenge them, if they want to abuse someone they will and apparently nothing can be done about it.
I don't know an obvious solution but this is the biggest NEGATIVE problem that I believe steem/it has. Resteemed.
The fight needs to be taken directly to the Steemit developers. The people doing this won't change their behavior, and the day after your last post on the subject, I saw someone else's post go under attacked and get wiped off the face of steemit. I could barely believe it. Two people get into a dispute over something, and one literally told his followers to down vote the other guy. Poof! Post no longer visible and his account worthless.
Yep, I am not sure what to do about it at this time other than keep challenging it until perhaps some day someone who CAN do something about it listens. Silence is acceptance.
I remember that day and our previous conversations....nice to see you again!
Unfortunately your suggestion that-
"* All flags (from all SP levels) have the same weight so that from minnow to whale everyone's DOWNVOTE is EQUAL)"
is just unworkable. You do that and you just made noganoo or any number of people who control 1000 + accounts the most powerful people on steemit. I would rather flagging power be determined by how much you have invested in the platform rather than how many accounts you can make/control.
That is partially true, but it is no worse than having a few people that can obliterate anyone at anytime. Plus if you keep reading I put in controls so that Flags (Downvotes) can be offset by Upvotes to ensure the system doesn't get abused like it does now.
I think it would be worse. In theory (obviously there are exceptions) but the people with the largest stake have motivation to act in the best interest of the platform. They are putting their money where their mouth is so to speak, at least they have some skin in the game. I prefer that compared to a botnet owner with 500 brand spanking new rep 25 accounts getting to decide things.
https://steemit.com/interview/@elednika/today-is-your-interview-dress-to-impress-201784t144422925z
Upvote back
TBH man get a part time job serving tables or something else and invest 30% of that money into Bitconnect or something else and just wait. Your time to be prosperous and rich will be soon. But, you have to grind it out and stop being lazy. You can't rely on this to make you rich at the moment. Patience is the key in this life. Also don't let negative people affect you ignore them 100%.. They are only petty.. Good luck on your journey and I wish you luck financially and with success.. Find your calling! @venuspcs
Cody, that does not sound to motivational.
Look into the man's medical history ect... can not work alot of jobs.
He helped me with 50 SBD when he probably should not have but he is a caring man.
I did my first Steemian of the Day post because of his Kindness to me a complete stranger.
Please my friend offer him a upvote here and there.
Karma wise you will be Richer then anyone.
Peace, be well...
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STOPI was shocked. one of your post that I resteemed was grayed out. that bayrene guy needs to be punished!
I agree there a lot of Steemit issues that needs to be resolved. So many dramas and flag wars going on here, I myself don't have that much energy as I used to when i first came here. I wish you goodluck and i hope things get better soon wuvs <3
steemit is capitalism, with all that comes from that.
Money is power and whatever rules you apply to flagging that does not change. If someone with money is determined you cannot stop them - not alone.
In the real world unions were created because fo that.
I was trying to discuss about the same thing this morning on steemit.chat ...
It seems like the main issue is that flagging can be used as a tool to harass other bloggers. I have never flagged anyone and I don't think I would.
It would be better perhaps if maybe flags sent a message to someone with higher power like a big fish council where the council of people (maybe voted on like witnesses) could determine if a flag was actually warranted. If so the post could be flagged, but the person passing on the questionable content for review would not have their name attached to that flag so as to keep people from seeking revenge.
I reall don't know what the answer is. Humans will be humans. Otherwise we would not need law, police, and militaries. Sad, but true.
pity you bro! F that idiot. I'll upvote you! :)
Congratulations! This post has been upvoted from the communal account, @minnowsupport, by Ehzi-Dehve from the Minnow Support Project. It's a witness project run by aggroed, ausbitbank, teamsteem, theprophet0, someguy123, neoxian, followbtcnews/crimsonclad, and netuoso. The goal is to help Steemit grow by supporting Minnows and creating a social network. Please find us in the Peace, Abundance, and Liberty Network (PALnet) Discord Channel. It's a completely public and open space to all members of the Steemit community who voluntarily choose to be there.
This post has received a 3.79 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @venuspcs.
So sorry to hear that man, so sorry... you are making an effort and its not just 1 post... I spoke about the useless flagging... Especially when those with significant SP start encouraging it... I know spamming is a problem but flagging won't solve much... I really hope you guys can work it out, your best chance is probably getting thejohalfiles to counter that person vote, he seem to be a nice guy, try an message him and see what he can do...
It would be nice if @thejohalfiles was to help me out.
certainly hope, here is some good vibes to take in for the rest of the evening, I hope you are familiar with Bob Marley...
Take in the good vibes and relax man, everything is gonna be fine
It's definitely a problem, this site in general could really use a few improvements. More importantly, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. You seem to have a positive look on things and you are trying to make the best for yourself. Try to make peace with these people when these things happen, taking the higher road will always be the best road
I agree.
I have to be glad that we are still in beta, and working out the bugs.
upvoted and resteemed.
Namaste
First, don't retaliate by flagging back someone who flagged you. That only ends in a vendetta.
Second, it is a waste of time to endlessly discuss flagging because the people who do it won't change their behavior. They do it because it makes them feel big and powerful, or because they are trying to intimidate someone into silence.
Third, what needs to be done is to contact Steemit developers directly with this information and pressure them to disable the option, or redesign it in a way that limits the possibility of abuse. If you dig hard enough, you can find an email contact for some part of the the steemit development team.
Lastly, when children go around beating each other on the heads with their toys, the adults take the toys away. The steemit developers will have to play the role of the adults here, and take this toy away from the people who abuse it. The rest of us won't miss it, since we don't use it.
I sincerely feel for you, because the only reason I came on to steemit was in the hopes of earning a bit of cash to help foot some massive veterinary bills. I've been flagged by a-holes for no reason too. This has to stop, or steemit will go down the toilet, and the developers need to be told what is going on, and provided with evidence.
One thing that could help is to perhaps limit someone ability to flag to one post a week, or make it so only one flag a week actually count regardless of how many flags they throw? Maybe having a report showing top flaggers and possibly having the developers create a way to have excessive flaggers flagging ability suspended for X period of time? I don't know just some thoughts, but maybe it wouldn't work due to bots.
I agree. But.... We need to get the developers involved. I had the crazy thought of even starting a 'community' on discord about this issue, and ramping up the pressure on Steemit developers that way.
Hi Bro, hope you are doing well.
This person is should get banned from Steemit.
I have put out word to a few whale friends for a solution.
Stay strong Brother!
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Oh, this is crazy! I've never understood why anyone would flag another's content for personal reasons or simply because it's not content that they like. If you don't like somebody's post, then just ignore it. If it's not plagiarism, then why flag it at all? I am so sorry that you're dealing with this. You're going through quite a bad luck spell, my friend. Hoping things will turn around for you soon!
Take your obamacare privilege and use it at will at the expense of others. Like a king! Be cured, be safe and get free shit from others! Leftist at is best.
So what are you doing on this platform then. It's not free if your are creating content. Shouldn't you be in Charlottesville with the rest of your like minded comrades.
sorry
Really? What are you 6?
While I disagree that steemit is broken, you could really use an entire bottle of xanax
Who couldn't use a bottle of Xanax is the real question.
Excuse me, what did I ever do to you?
First you play the victim, secundo you upvote your shit
I am a victim, but I am also trying to help others. And almost everyone on Steemit upvotes their own stuff.....I also upvote every comment on my posts from others even if I don't agree with them.
What is wrong with upvoting your own content? You need to take a chill pill.
Its frowned on, but nearly everyone does it....
yeah they are obviously stupid haters.
Recruit more homeless people so they can provide us with more gofundme links
Hey you answered, so what does being homeless have to do with why you flagged me? Furthermore, the GoFundMe is part of a campaign to HELP HOMELESS and PROMOTE STEEMIT so really not sure what you are trying to say! I tried to contact you before this post went up and you would not answer me. I never did anything wrong or against the rules so Why exactly are you flagging all my posts????
Why are you upvoting this guy if he is flagging you?!?!?
Mainly to be the better person, but I almost always upvote everyone who comments on my posts.....just because I don't agree with them is no reason to FLAG them and if they take the time to "comment" they deserve something in my opinion.
Seriously, you gonna flag this post as well. Man what is your problem? I have tried to be nice and civil and figure out what is wrong so it could be resolved but you just won't let that happen.....maybe you will be happy when I am fucking homeless again and sleeping in a ditch cause you took all my damn income away!
I didn't realize he had so much steem. When I went to his profile looks like he plagiarized a lot. Most of his post were caught by @steemcleaners. Maybe eventually he will get bored but for somome to go out of their way like that says a lot.
Looks like someone heard the call. Is he still flagging you?
No, we seem to have come to an understanding....I am doing things differently and he/she appears to like the newer way I am doing things.
@venuspcs, as long as you are doing well with not putting people down,harming anyone, Then i think your good. Remember, steemit family is here to help each other, so nothing is wrong about asking help. Not all people is rich and we are not here just to play and find people's mistakes for fun because we are not perfect. We are here to help build up each other to achieve our goals. Keep fighting. Dont let anyone drag you down. i wuvs u