Add "Unhelpful" Button to The Debate Room

[ElementMK]

I noticed this button being used in a thread specifically about the removal of the love buttons, and it made me consider where this button could be applied.

A vast number of posts in TDR are not debate posts. Many posts simply exist to provide information about whatever is being discussed. Now, the line between the "agree" and "helpful" buttons may be a little blurry, but I usually see it used accurately. Most of us do not spam all of the positive buttons when we see something we like.

Helpful posts are marked with their respective love buttons and get more attention. However, all we can do with posts that spread misinformation without stating an opinion is "disagree" with them. I think an "unhelpful" button would be a quick way to note that someone's post is rife with misinformation (so others can gauge this at a glance and be more critical of the post). It may also bring erroneous information to that poster's attention, so they can look over their post and figure out where the incorrect information is.

TL;DR: I am an anal-retentive fact checking jerk.

Also, it's another button that can be used in the ever-running MTS popularity contest, which is always a bonus. ;)

[Morphead]

I agree. All too often do I read something that I consider "Unhelpful" only to see the button isn't active. So I press "Disagree" instead. That usually conveys the wrong tone or simply doesn't even make complete sense.

[Mootilda]

On the other hand, the Debate forum is there to debate issues. It only takes a few people (6? 7?) who use the Unhelpful button to make the post disappear for everyone. It seems better to use a button which will leave the post visible.

The Unhelpful button is special because it actually affects whether the post is available when you scan the thread. If I understand correctly, it's primary purpose is to avoid displaying help posts which contain misinformation, so that people will not follow bad advice. No other button has the same kind of effect.

This doesn't seem to apply to the Debate forum. In a debate, all posts should be available during an initial reading. Subsequent arguments should be used to invalidate a post.

[Inge Jones]

Oh I didn't notice an "unhelpful" button had appeared. Istr asking for one some time ago and at the time it was felt to not be a good idea.

ETA: Hmm but there is no "unhelpful" button the very place we could do with one - in the forums dealing with help for modding etc.

[ElementMK]

I agree, Inge. I believe the same button would be great in the creativity boards. However, I don't frequent those ones, so I don't have a reason to campaign for them. Self interests and all that.

@Mootilda: In this case, I imagine the button could be nerfed or that feature could be removed. I think 15+ unhelpful votes would clearly point out that a post is not contributing to the debate in any valuable way.

[unalisaa]

I support this motion. Especially in debates where facts are important, it'd be very helpful to have some indication of accuracy. I clearly remember seeing posts with downright incorrect facts, where posters who do not read the entire debate* (and thus don't see any corrections that might be available) use these as basis for their argument.

*A reprehensible habit, really.
@Mootilda: In this case, I imagine the button could be nerfed or that feature could be removed. I think 15+ unhelpful votes would clearly point out that a post is not contributing to the debate in any valuable way.
On the other hand, what about the wildly unpopular members? It's not unthinkable that someone would click "unhelpful" just to annoy a member/downrate their post. I suppose you could say that someone who is not welcome in the debate would be unlikely to be taken seriously either way, but it has been my impression that MTS in general tries to cultivate a forum culture where everyone is welcome, despite any personal differences.

"Unhelpful" in the debate room could quickly turn into a milieu where not everyone feels coddled.

In summary: Yea to an "unhelpful" button, nay to a "hide posts rated unhelpful" feature.

[Delphy]

Adding an Unhelpful button to a forum isn't that hard. De-coupling it from the hide feature, however, means keeping a list of forums where the Unhelpful button *shouldn't* hide something (or, where it should), which is a whole different kettle of cats.

[Inge Jones]

I'd have thought having "unhelpful" hide a post in a modding support forum would actually be quite useful, as it could stop people acting on the faulty advice. Also I have often seen modding/creating threads turn into flame wars.

[Ghost sdoj]

So why would clicking "disagree" and "funny" in a debate post not convey the same meaning as "unhelpful" if the post is filled with inaccurate information? Misinformation in a debate should be challenged with facts. Anyone who blindly quotes the misinformation as accurate isn't reading the whole topic, or isn't thinking for themselves. And is advertising that fact to everyone else.

I agree that hiding the inaccurate information in a modding forum would be helpful, as a search will usually take you to a single post, but I'm also a bit worried that if modding/creating threads turn into flame wars, will it make things worse if partisans of either side can hide the other side's posts?

[Inge Jones]

I don't think you can see the names of people who used the buttons. Hopefully staff can, then they can remove button privs from anyone habitually abusing them to bully inviduals etc.

[HystericalParoxysm]

If someone has posted something inaccurate or boneheaded in a debate, refute their points with accurate information. That's the whole point of a debate, really.

If someone is being disruptive, being off-topic, posting absolute blithering nonsense, and/or generally spreading a whole lotta stupid in the thread, report the post and we can deal with the poster specifically.

[Inge Jones]

I don't have a problem with that idea, but it does leave me wondering why there is an "unhelpful" button in this forum of all forums, while it's not seen as a good idea or necessary in the others?

[leesester]

So we can randomly click it :)

/lee cackles

[whiterider]

Who what?

[leesester]

Bah. That is just so MEAN

[HystericalParoxysm]

Inge - It's useful here as sometimes folks post completely moronic solutions to problems (i.e. "I can't download!" gets responded with "Reinstall your game!" or something equally stupid). It probably should go in a couple other forums like the modding ones too though, but as the Debate Room is rarely black and white answers, it probably doesn't belong there.

[ElementMK]

Well, fine. Thanks for ruining my dreams, HP! :( :( :(

[levini]

On the other hand would it be possible to add a "F--k you" button? Or a "I wanna have your babehs " button? Because I would probably be mashing the latter of the two on about 99.9% of the posts .

Also a "f--k you" button is a good thing in a debate room where I dont want to straight up say it and want to quitetly say it to everyone who disagrees or acts like an ass .

[Shhh]

Oh, where did the unhelpful button come from? Seriously, I have never, ever seen it before.