RE: The Daily Whistle Stops, Issue #6. (3/1/18)
@penston
A New Evil Plunders The Reward Pool
This is actually something I've been following for the past couple of weeks, and I completely agree that there needs to be a change. The major issue I have with the two accounts you mentioned (apart from them plundering the reward pool without producing any content and for no reason other than personal gain) is that they are run by the same individual you used as an example of someone who tries to stop this kind of abuse (I dare not mention the name for fear of a flagging).
I find it incredibly hypocritical that we have so many people who are quick to call out others for this kind of thing, yet are so willing to do it when it benefits them. Granted, he may just be trying to make a point by showing a weakness in the system and how it can be abused, but at what cost to others?
Regardless, I agree with your overall premise and had not really given much thought to other examples of this, such as the example you gave with davidpakman. I would normally not pay much attention to this or even notice it at all, but you are somewhat correct in your thinking that it is wrong. I mean, he is clearly successful and making plenty. It is funny he only gives a small percentage vote to others while giving a large percentage vote to himself. It isn't "wrong" per se, but it feels a bit... well, just irritating?
At any rate, thank you for continuing to bring attention to this problem that has been plaguing the platform as of late. Hopefully we can rally enough support to find and implement a solution to it all. Cheers!
The minute someone invents a new experience that is fun, worthwhile, educational and profitable, someone else (often more than one of these benighted souls) finds a way to spoil it ... or cheapen it ... or turn it to his personal benefit. It's one of them most bitter truths about human nature. This is one example. The recent dust-up between "the good whale" and a self-described crypto-analyst with a rich and powerful benefactor (maybe) ... is another one.
From a sociological point of view, it's all fascinating. As a dweller in the same ecosystem that is being poisoned by this behavior, it's really scary. The overall lack of response in the upper strata of the platform is the most worrisome piece of this whole drama to me. I'm not sure what to think of that, but like you I found @penston's article worth reading.
I don't know what to think about the fact that we are all being "played" for the sake of an object lesson. On the one hand, that could be a very effective strategy. On the other hand, that "lack of response from the upper strata" ... well, that's a problem. It will be interesting to see the next move. The story isn't done.
Indeed. Fortunately it seems "the good whale" and haejin have settled their matter. Unfortunately, it caused a LOT of damage across the board. Like you, I wish there had been some response from the top. However, since this is supposed to be decentralized, I cannot say that I am entirely surprised their input was not present. Hopefully things can settle down and we can get away from this whole vigilante/revenge type stuff. I mean, even if you think someone gets more than they worth, downvoting ALL of their rewards, especially without even bothering to see what kind of value their posts are worth, seems extreme.
We need to find that compromise and keep walking that thin line. Unfortunately, like you said, greed and personal benefit are a part of human nature, and it takes far fewer people to mess something up than to make it great.