:) point cha ching!

snort. (I got a point for snorting!) And I like that you agree so I'll give you another point.

The idea that the point system has a progressive element. Provided we act as adults it seems to be a great incentive to get people in on the discussions.

I agree.

Oh...which ones...let's discuss them, shall we?

You also get a point if you ramble on forever to the point of being convoluted or boring.

Thanks... I had another point I did not make then.

You can get a lot of points by going through all of the posts in all of the topics and dropping in one-liners like "I agree." That counts the same as a post that is thoughtful, insightful, and helpful.

On vacation next week but I think I'll be able to pop in some time. I like the point system. The responses surprised me a little.

Better get busy, Rich. (If you disappear for long periods of time it makes it a little more difficult.)

I'm giving you a point for that, just so no one's confused. Because you earned it....just like the other 10,000 plus :)

Your brief explaination the point feature was good and probably helpful to some newbies. I was getting ready to thumbs up then you digressed, as you often do. Its a flaw, you just can't stop when you are ahead...and you DO make some very good points all over the Gulch.

Exactly my take on things, I may disagree with what people say, but I only give a 'thumbs down' when a discussion digresses from anything constructive and most likely to decay into a yelling match.

"The progressive element is that among the regular visitors and Top Points Earners are several political conservatives who support each other with votes and punish people who disagree with them. It is the "high school cafeteria" model of philosophical discussion. "

You are attacking a group of people with name calling and no specific argument. First, this is a forum for INDIVIDUALS. It is a voting system so popularity of posts and comments is a feature on this site. Most who vote down use it an important way of limiting those who have no real interest in discussing this site's mission. As a matter of fact, I often point up comments I disagree with, if I find them interesting to discuss. That's just me, but since you have name called me yet again, I feel compelled to comment. You would be more "popular" if you paid better attention. I am a political Libertarian. I do not believe in God, I support a woman's right to have an abortion, I am not a law and order Republican, I believe in strong property rights-
and I enjoy the most points in this forum for the moment. Check your premises.

Well, the points do have a "progressive" element to them. They come from three sources.

1. You post original material and you get a point for the Submission.

2. You make a comment and you get a point for the Comment.

3. Someone likes a Submission or a Comment and they give you a Thumbs Up and you gain a point. Thumbs Down is a subtrahend.

The progressive element is that among the regular visitors and Top Points Earners are several political conservatives who support each other with votes and punish people who disagree with them. It is the "high school cafeteria" model of philosophical discussion.

[Edit in from post below for continuity: Whether your comment is short or long, insightful or whimsical, the tally is still one point. You can get a lot of points by dropping in one-liners like "I agree."]

A long time ago, there was a board called "Sense of Life Objectivists" (SOLO) that also had plus and minus sanctions. After some abuse, they disabled the take-aways and only allowed positive votes. Also, interestingly, for the votes you earned you tallied Atlas Points which in turn gave bonus power to your own votes.

(SOLO split into two very different boards some years later. I do not participate in "SOLO Passion" but I am good for six sanction votes on Rebirth of Reason - but with my views, earning the Atlas Points was an uphill push, I assure you.)

Lol, funny!