What is wrong with this picture?

Capt Jeff S. — Wed, 03 May 2023 10:45:16 -0400

Rallypoint was created to be a resource for military members: Veterans, Retirees, and Active Duty and one feature that stood out that was unique amongst Social Media was the concept of Influence where people could offer advice or contribute ideas which then could be upvoted and/or downvoted if users thought it was lacking in merit. The military tends to focus on the mission so hurt feelings is not a major consideration when rendering judgment -- or at least one would think so...

I have been with Rallypoint almost from its inception and have on and off looked at what people were posting. For awhile, I paid attention to influence score and then realized how meaningless it is. It's not like you can put your influence score on a resume and impress people. There was a brief time where I was like #25 but I wasn't chasing the score... because the score isn't really indicative of influence [as in, what you have to say is actually worth listening to] so much as it is indicative of how much time you spend on Rallypoint posting.

The people early on that were the first to pass milestones such as a million points aren't even that active anymore. I've seen people come and go. You see the same people posting and I suspect that the number of people that are very active on this site is relatively low. My participation is a bit sporadic because I'm split between Facebook, Truth Social, Quora, and Rallypoint... but I've been around the whole time and have seen RP evolve.

Sites that try to pass themselves off as neutral have an inherent obligation to respect free speech but for awhile Rallypoint seemed to be dominated by those whose political opinions were well Left of center. I questioned the staff and they assured me that RP was neutral. I'm not sure I believe it, because RP is HQ'd in MA which is very, very Blue. And that's okay so long as you can be professional and not allow your personal biases to affect your professional judgment. To be fair, I have seen a concerted effort by the RP Staff and Admins to be more neutral and that is a good thing.

In a free country, people are free to express their views. The Right to Free Speech does not guarantee your right to not be offended by what others say. I took many downvotes on the chin, but it didn't change my views, nor did it silence me. Even after I got banned for expressing my views on Obama, Transgenders, and Don't Ask Don't Tell, I still continue to express them. And I see that others likewise are more willing to weigh in on topics of substance and express their views, which a few years ago would not be tolerated. The side that seeks to silence the other is not confident in its message. Truth withstands the test of scrutiny; lies do not.

Regarding influence score... Is it even meaningful because it has been so badly gamed by folks whose names you see all the time, who in the big scheme of things don't have much to say that's worth your time? Well, that's just my opinion. It's a free country and you don't have to share my opinion or like what I have to say. Some of you are wearing yourselves out chasing influence score and perhaps one day you'll figure out that you wasted a bunch of your time chasing the wind.

People will always figure out a way to game the system. RP has to figure out if it wants to be defined by people who post lots of music video posts that contribute nothing to RP's core mission.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made May 3 at 2023 10:59 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Wed, 03 May 2023 10:59:31 -0400

Capt Jeff S. The number of posts re: favored music amazes me. I have my own music sources and scarcely utilize them, I ignore the music posts on RP.

Response by Maj John Bell made May 3 at 2023 11:22 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 03 May 2023 11:22:24 -0400

In my opinion, the influence score has increased the chaff to wheat ratio. It is getting worse.

It would be great id RP admin would come up with a way to block individual posts, without blocking the individual. Quite often when I check RP, the vast majority of posts are the same ones I've been skimming past for 3 or 4 days. Admin help us get to the wheat.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2023 12:09 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 May 2023 12:09:41 -0400

i 100% CONCUR. I even was blocked by a few or messages deleted. I even voiced my things 'oBAMA'. I used began topis about weather. I cannot keep now, being overwhelmed. I lead by example.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made May 3 at 2023 12:48 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 03 May 2023 12:48:16 -0400

RP is social media. Full stop.

You are expecting a social media site to not be social media. Yes, there is a specific target audience. But it is still what it is. Just like any other social media, if a post does not interest you, keep scrolling.

As far as contribution.... those music posts are usually pretty high in up-votes and have more than a couple comments. So evidently a defined portion of the community appreciates them. I am not really in that boat. I will post a song once every blue moon, but it is either to introduce a rather obscure song/group or because the song has a particular message which I expound upon. Either way, if you aren't interested.... keep scrolling.

You speak about being censored here, while at the same time low-key pushing for censorship of others. Just a thought.

Response by CWO4 Terrence Clark made May 3 at 2023 2:17 PM

CWO4 Terrence Clark — Wed, 03 May 2023 14:17:32 -0400

Agree in principle. I only monitor two social sites, Winnebago Owners Assoc. & RP. and these only when I come in for a glass of water, waiting for glue to dry or calming down from wrestling with that #@*%&$ welder. Should buy a new one.
Politics seldom intrude on the Winnebago site. It's a technical site i.e. my slides are jammed and I can't find the hydraulic drain........That's because your model doesn't have schwintech slides stupid, read your damn manual.
RP on the other hand (IM-not so-HO) cannot distance itself from politics and culture wars. There is no facit, no corner of the military or military life that is not intrinsically bound to politics and actions of politicians. From the abysmally reality bending uniform changes to mold in barracks to the abominable divisiveness of Diversity (If diversity is a strength, is unity a weakness?), as Americans, staying current is a must. There are a number of folks on RP whose viewpoints - even when differing from my own - I value. Others not so much, but are read to understand the political spectrum. Then there are that small subset who spend waaaay too much time munching cheetos in their beanbags and are fun to engage with for a round or two. (a moral failing on my part I'm sure)
I seldom have time to respond to all the humor memes, and YouTube videos, (need to prioritize my time for those subjects I'm compelled to bloviate on) but more power to those that do.
As mentioned several times in the past. I see RP as a practice for Friday Afternoon Dart Drop at Famous Sam's. We are a loud and raucous group of retirees and near, where insults are a given, who will argue over why the fly landed on who's beer, don't agree on anything but part ways as the friends we are. I like my world problem solving discussions up close and personal. I like to look 'em in the eye and watch their lips quiver. Sam's satisfies, this is practice.
Don't know if that is in line with your essay, but I enjoyed the opportunity. Now, back to that ancient Sears welder. I'm thinking burned reostat contacts.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2023 2:55 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 May 2023 14:55:32 -0400

I don't see it as too big of an issue. I've been with RP for about 6 years. It's social media like anything else, I think we have to let it be social media.

Now, I align more with your thoughts, and I see RP as an outlet for creative discussions within an exclusive military-only community, and the votes help me to gauge what thoughts that community thinks are meritorious. But, if people are chasing likes, then I see the flaw in the person and not the system that is RP. Every means to help that kind of person lies outside of social media itself. No one comment, post, or even infinite amount of messages is going to persuade them because internet communication is not really a meaningful vehicle of communication for them in the first place. And that's alright, because this is social media and we should not take it too seriously.

I mean, RP isn't Facebook, but at the same time it's not really different. Both are filled with the same type of creatures, aka, human beings. And we're all just sending digital messages. None of us are writing research papers, crafting policy, having professional debates, etc. It's all just another form of email/texting.

Response by Maj Kim Patterson made May 3 at 2023 8:15 PM

Maj Kim Patterson — Wed, 03 May 2023 20:15:57 -0400

Capt Jeff S. I remember the early days. My strategy now is to find common ground and get us talking with civility again.