it can be usefull , but know that i think about it it does kind of seem like something a website for teenagers would do , i think that there should definatly be fluffy rating ,
about how rating should be in general population i can see it either way one :people could take advantage of it , but also 2 it also gives every one the chance to voice there opinion
Fairness has nothing to do with it. If you look at the real world, NOTHING is fair. But those of you who were rated fluffy can either be angry and destructive, thus helping people to see that fluffy rank was correct or accept it and try your hardest to advance away from it. Because I'm sure people labeled 'Fluffy' can improve their standing somehow.
See there needs to be information in email form from maybe a bot, that says what you did to get your ranking and how you can improve it. I honestly don't know how on earth I got my ranking, and it would be nice if something told details. This bot would also need to say how to improve it.
It is the same effect and different feature. Personally as you get further in your path and older, you begin to really careless about what others think of you or your "experience" level. Especially since a good deal of us run physical covens, when you hit that level what is online does not really bother you at all. I have been around here long enough to run a few Covens that have done well, I've been an editor, a mod and for real I like being a member so much more. I stick around usually in Coven chat only for the people I have helped and have helped me. Occasionally you will find me in the forums commenting on the obviously asinine stuff. Most don't ask new questions anymore, its the same repetitive threads over and over. Because no one took the time to scroll through the pages of preexisting threads. As time goes on most of your "adepts" just stop answering the same old stuff. But a few of them have more patience than I because they are in there every hour, of every passing day.
As far as adding spells, I won't add them anymore nor articles for good reason. But those out of all honesty has no place in these forums.
A practitioner who tells all of their spells and exploits loses focus and power in those spells. (Meaning chances are they will fail.) But if a practitioner does not tell of all their accomplishments and understandings how can you truly rate them? It is very common to rate and judge people in today's society, hence why a rating system here only stands to reinforce that type of behavior.
If you need a teacher, study published author's works with a careful eye, history with an open mind, and branch out. Be wary of wiki's and blogs. And allow sites like this one, paganspace, etc. be simply social platforms where ideas and thoughts can be shared and interpreted not taken as solid fact. So like I said, label me fluffy and keep my mailbox empty.. ;)
Well what you are saying does have some weight to it...BUT I don't want people that I could have truly helped avoiding me because of some ridiculous site rating system. Then again, there is the perk of an empty mailbox! And also, the person should be judged only on a personal level...not talking about a public ranking now, I am just saying that everyone will think differently of a person.
As said By others before, I totally agree with the fluffy thing. But we should know the basis for these ratings. This isn't a video game, and I can vividly see it turning into one quickly. This gives power, or rather authority, over others, and whether you like it or not, people can abuse that. I like some aspects, but rather dislike others...
And for some reason, I don't see a ranking on my profile, and on some others as well...
Fluffy - these people are role players, pretty much anything they say should be ignored, they don't know what they are talking about and generally have shown a refusal to learn or accept reality.
None - Noone has ranked them yet.
Beginner - This is a typical member who wants to learn, but
really knows nothing about spells, wicca, paganism, etc, etc. This would be someone who comes to the site looking for a love spell, or a quick fix to something in their lives. They don't really want to learn, they just want a quick fix.
Novice - This person wants to learn, but is just starting out. Even people with years of experience may still be ranked as novice, it is not an insult. These people are serious, but generally less knowledgable then the people at higher levels.
Knowledgeable - This person knows a lot. You can generally trust what they say.
Adept - These people know a lot as well. It is the highest ranking.
The above is the basis for all such ranking as indicated within Pet's post. It is assumed that if you have been voted into a specific rank this likely due to your interactions within the forums and chatter, and general observations made upon said interactions such as individual credibility within the forum, the responses of others to what you have to say, and how what you have to say stands up for itself in reality... I again assume.
You will also note that everyone seemed to start off with a low rank, if any. Why? Because it just started. So un-bunch your panties and wait for things to sort themselves out. I have not personally witnessed any new feature on the internet go absolutely perfectly the first time week of going live... It is inane to expect this of SoM.
And if your rank is not what you wish it to be? Well, I leave you with this poem from D H Lawrence to ponder:
"I never saw a wild thing
Sorry for itself.
A small bird will drop frozen dead from a bough
Without ever having felt sorry for itself."
