Abuse Series: Censorship
From @steemcleaners Discord
"CENSORSHIP!" they cried. It is almost as if the ultimate taboo has been committed when someone is downvoted, rewards removed, and having their posts rendered "invisible". How could that possibly happen?
It is said that Steemit is a decentralized social media platform. It sounds like the paradise for anyone who feels like the mainstream is withholding information and even actively suppress intelligence from being leaked into the public. Heck, even @rogerkver is here after complaining about being censored left and right.
Oh? Is he being heavily downvoted right now? That's too bad. The question is again, does censorship actually exist on the Steem blockchain? Some believe so. Some do not. Here is a conversation between two prominent Steemians.
I'm with @acidyo on this one.
The myth of censorship on Steem blockchain
Without going into the technical aspect of flagging, or downvoting, I can tell you that censorship technically doesn't exist on the Steem blockchain. Everything stays on the blockchain, permanently. Every post, transaction, even edits to your posts/comments!
You can try to cover up all your tracks, but the technology will not allow it. This is the power of the blockchain. The best you'll ever do is to throw enough red herrings and hope you will mislead the curious examiners.
The reality of flagging
- Payout removed
- Reputation lowered (if the downvoters' reputation is higher than yours)
- Post rendered invisible with enough downvotes, depending on the UI
- Social stigma, potentially...depending on who is downvoting you
Why so salty?
Before Steemit was, other social media, such as Reddit, already have disagreement features in the form of downvotes. Facebook has, and still is, reluctant in implementing similar features in fears of hurt feelings and cyberbullying. For the most part, people don't seem to care when receiving thumbs down on those sites. Why so different with Steemit?
It turns out, money is a very good motivator. Many users feel like they are being robbed when flags start flying on their posts and comments. To Steemians from poorer parts of the world, that few cents to a dollar a day make all the difference between having a good week or a bad one.
This is especially true for those who spent money on promotional services to boost their earnings visibility. A few fair-sized flags and you will find yourself making less than you put into the system. I know abusive flags can exist on the platform, but that is topic for another post.
Perhaps out of fear of being flagged again, the recipients stop posting altogether. Some power down and leave. Some turn to bid bots for passive income. Some are like @kabir88 and @tufkat, who literally don't give a flying crap, and continue to post until flaggers get bored.
Is it the expectation of "getting rich" part of the reasons why so many are against flags?
Here is a bonus thread for you to read from @serylt. If you can't read German, I recommend https://www.deepl.com/translator.
How I view flags
I can't tell you how to feel, but I can tell you how I feel. I wouldn't feel very good if I receive many significant downvotes on my content. However, it's not because I can no longer monetize. It has more to do with I can no longer effectively build up my account to participate in one of my pastimes on the blockchain: flagging abuse.
Truth be told, I'll probably just buy some Steem anyways. Delegate a part for passive income and use that to power up and still flag away.
My income does not depend on Steem. I didn't come here to get rich. I came here for an open platform where content doesn't literally disappear at the whim of those in power. The compensation here is a nice touch and infinitely more productive than mindlessly posting on Facebook, etc.
I don't even mind adding a little bit of Steem each month to build my account, and in turn, more influence in the social sphere. Maybe I'll cash out some for kicks and giggles when we actually moon.
Till then, happy Steeming!
Abuse Series is sometimes educational, but usually just telling you stuff that you should already know anyways.
Previous post: No Attribution Required
Next post: The Folks You Come Across
There is Just one simple concept that most people fail to understand:
The money is not yours until payout day!
Steemit would be a happier place If people understood that...
How dare you try to clear up misconceptions on the blockchain! Ignorance is big money! :P
Good post. I hope that an interface has the option of displaying flagged posts and comments as well. Sometimes the flag is attached only by different views or distinctions.
You got upvote = x2.5BID + 11 bonus upvote from @hoaithu. Thank for you used service!
Reply on @haccolong's posts & can get upvote free from @hoaithu.
There are so many features that the default Steemit doesn't have it's baffling. Heck, we don't even have a filter for turning Resteemed items on and off. I've only seen that on @steempeak. I'm sure if you are savvy enough, you could do those things for your own, but the average user experience is subpar at best.
I guess our best bet is wait for someone to add those features and not STINC.
Thanks for the information.
I do not know if I have the ability to do it myself. But someday I will try. :)
Hehe, that screenshot was a small blast from the past. :)
Good points in the post, for all we know someone might create a front-end that only shows flagged comments and not upvoted ones. :D
That would be funny as heck. I would use it.
Good post - as always.
I just wanted to add that for anyone using Chrome (at least) - a simple right click on the foreign text gives the opportunity to have it translated before your very eyes. :-)
I occasionally have situations where it doesn't work, but generally, it seems to work very well.
That would actually help. I only use the other one because @serylt recommended it.
Because it's good. :P
I don't doubt it, but I'm always open to alternatives.
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@martin.mikes coordinator of @kedjom-keku
Flags must remain as an option because they serve a purpose, especially in the case of copyright images or text being used. But there is no good reason to use them just because you disagree with the opinions or beliefs of the poster - or to censor subjects. Unfortunately it happens, but as flag weighting follows the same as upvoting - the biggest investors (Steem Power Holders) will have the biggest flag impact. It is hoped of course that anyone wielding a big investment is capable of logical and restrained use of the power - unfortunately we have seen that isn't really true either.
One way or another, if anyone can post anything they like on here then we will quickly see the entire blockchain go down under a sea of copyright lawsuits.
Generally I find the majority of people on here are able to act appropriately - and often it is a mistake or from just being new that inappropriate content is posted. And there are of course @steemcleaners working hard to not only ensure copyright and plagiarism issues are dealt with - but also if people have issues ie being inappropriately flagged they have somewhere to go for help.
#thealliance #witness
At the end of the day, the principle holds true: if you just want to post, no one can stop you from doing so. The flags can only take away your rep and potential rewards, but no one can ever silence you.
#truth
I'm glad you feel the same way.
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