Do MAL forum need a karma system or emoji reaction?

RobertBobert said:
Would you want MAL to introduce the so-called "karma" system that allows upvote or downwote user comments? Or maybe you will prefer to add emoji reactions to comments?

RobertBobert said:
Would you want MAL to introduce the so-called "karma" system that allows upvote or downwote user comments? Or maybe you will prefer to add emoji reactions to comments? And how do you feel about such a tool in general?

RobertBobert said:
Would you want MAL to introduce the so-called "karma" system that allows upvote or downwote user comments? Or maybe you will prefer to add emoji reactions to comments? And how do you feel about such a tool in general?

RobertBobert said:
@Steph If the negative feedback against karma is so obvious and evident, then why do most platforms continue to use it for forums and discussions in general?

Steph said:
Same reason as to why, but controversionally, youtube has removed dislikes. People should be able to join a discussion and state their opinion without being scared of getting -karma and being ignored. Anime is a place where a lot of 'hot takes' can happen and punishing someone by having a low karma just doesn't feel right.

I hate Reddit with a passion, and it is indeed an echo chamber! But it's undeniable that it has a lot of activity still. Even their bullshit karma system + echo chamber + irrelevance hasnt killed the site somehow, even as we enter the post-woke era where Redditors are routinely made fun of. Still the top of every damn Google search. MAL used to be, when it was more active...

There was one site for a game that had more activity under a karma system and then less activity when it was removed in favor for a likes-only system. But it's hard to say if the karma system encouraged more activity or if the game's popularity affected this, despite this that observation is considerable.

Myanimelist could use an activity increase, as this is probably the worst years for forum posts I've seen in 15 years. Also some more interesting posts would be nice. Likes may motivate some users to make better posts and be more active or encourage good posts. There's many times I want to let someone know I liked their post but have to write out a whole lame comment for it. Why can't I just like it? Or respond with a quick lol at the least.* People act like wanting to do this simple act will destroy "all good discussion cuz Reddit". Sites with likes still have amazingly thorough and intelligent posts (not Reddit lol).

Who is to say a like or karma system wouldn't encourage better posts here? Even if some posts are buried, many others will be greatly encouraged. I've been on two other sites with karma like systems and when posts were highlighted they were usually the best ones to read. Those sites didn't "become Reddit". There was never any more or any less "braindead bandwagoning" before or after those systems were implemented. It can go either way, but I've seen karma actually discourage bandwagoning which is contrary to what everyone thinks. Which leads me to my next point...

Apparently you can all see into the future because all I hear is "This will become Reddit!" Ok, since you have a crystal ball and can see all possible futures, can I borrow it and win the lottery? Thanks :D

You actually do not know how MAL would respond to such changes. Amazingly, when ppl say "MAL isn't Reddit, we don't need a karma system... MAL will become Reddit!" it can be perceived as contradictory.

The possibility of some users abusing a like system doesn't mean so many will that it ruins the site more than it already is ruined lol. There's many ways to abuse the MAL system, but it's not like everyone does it. You do know posting a review gets reviewer's profiles bombed with hate, right? It's been a thing since like 2010 lol. But we don't end reviews for the abuse of a few dummies. Is one person abusing the system out of a 100 really the end of the world, especially if 99 were to hypothetically benefit from it?

It's obvious that Pareto Principle applies to MAL as well. A fraction of users have a massive impact. When these ppl leave or are driven out (RIP kings) their absence is very noticeable. Why not give them some more encouragement with a damn like, as with every other site? It's not that much to ask lol.

I always hear how likes or karma will kill deep discussions and quality posts. And I hear this from ppl who want to move everything to Discord lmao smh. A dislike system could definitely demotivate someone from making a thorough post, like mine, as I know it will be downvoted to oblivion for considering multiple stances lol.

But from what I've seen a solo like system wouldn't necessarily demotivate anyone the way an emoji or karma system would. The karma system necessarily doesn't kill all good posts either, however it definitely destroys controversial posters whose opinions I actually valued the most (that's my main reason I'm against dislikes).

Another thing no one talks about. Toxic replies hurt participation as much as dislikes can, if not more! There's many users who dont participate because they do not want the backlash. A big problem across many sites! A like system kinda helps with this since you get a better idea of how the community really feels about your posts and participation, instead of a few angry replies skewing your view.

When there's a million replies, skimming through and reading highlighted posts is a better experience then skimming through a wall of posts and bad replies. There's many lurkers, throw them a bone too.