|
|
Year TWO and One-Half: No RespectJun 25 '02 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in Books
The Bottom Line We all need a little respect, every once in a while. And it never hurts to say "Thank You"... ever.
No, it's not THAT time of year, again, yet. If the way I'm feeling--the mood I'm in, today--is any indication 'THAT time of year' might not come around for me again, ever. What I meant by THAT time of year, again is my anniversary, the once a year entry (like to a journal; in a way it is just such a documentation) where I write to this category, noting my annual Epinions milestone, like the one dated January 9, 2001: I Ponder: Was It A Very Good Year? [located at http://www.epinions.com/user-review-871-4BA0F12F-3A5BA983-prod3] and the one dated January 8, 2002: Year Two: In Review (on my Second Anniversary at Epinions.com) [located at http://www.epinions.com/content_2462228612]. Who knows (at this moment, not I) if there will be a third? Today, Tuesday, June 25, 2002, almost two and a half years since I first came to Epinions.com, I received two pieces of epinions-related email: **the first made me smile, for the author of that miniature missive gladdened my heart with his unnecessary, yet treasured and appreciated, words of thanks for a small thing (for me) like a comment I'd just the day before left on a very well-composed posting of his. Like most everyone who've received such comments from me most likely instinctively derive from my lavish praise, how very touched and impressed I'd been by their superior efforts in sharing with us and, thus, the potential purchaser/reader/viewer a high-quality, outstanding product, in their top-notch reviews. Not to embarrass him, nor single out anyone in particular, since every piece of email or warm, sincere comment I've ever received from either of my fellow epinionators has lightened and enlivened my heart. Rather to adequately express (as exact as is possible) the totality of my emotions I'm experiencing and with which I attempt to deal, at this very moment, I'll identify that author in my editorial ravings and fumings. This review of which I speak, so very well done by SParkfan77, reflected my thoughts on the movie it reviewed (as a few other reviewers here have been equally as adept in doing) that I was moved to leave a token of my appreciation, which those of you who've gotten one of my 'little notes', I'll laughingly call them (although sometimes those 'little notes' would cover a full page, I'll shamelessly admit! The blame falls on those of you who made me do it!! [smile]) can imagine, I'm sure. Though the comment I'd left on Dan's most deserving review on Flatliners [located at http://www.epinions.com/content_66508656260] was not as long-winded and effusive as I've done to some of you poor folks in the past, I meant (and mean) EVERY word. Indeed, had I not been doing exactly what I'm [gasp!] doing right this second [writing on epinions on SOME one else's time. FOR SHAME!], it would, undoubtedly, have been so much longer. I was just that impressed with his efforts. Anyway, back to the reason for this out of character (for me) editorial rant, Dan [SParkfan77] emailed a thank you to me. It just happened I was checking my personal email for something else, so [shame on me, again. I admit it, OK?] when I saw it, and read it, I had to reply. As I'd said before, it was totally unnecessary and unexpected (though invigorating)-- merely an indication of Dan's good manners and breeding. Something rare and omitted (sorry to say) in many of us, today. **Scant minutes later, I received the second epinions-related email, and I'll tell you it elicited a completely opposite reaction/emotion from me. Though Dan's wonderful expression of his gratitude for my having left a comment which, again, his excellent posting deserved, had moved me to instantly respond in return email, this one inspired this (my first in over 2 years) disgust with those who are supposed to be running this show to spew forth in the form of this 'editorial', immediately composed following the reply I dashed off to them, posthaste. Again, those of you who've been here as long (some of you longer) as have I, know this is not my usual behavior. However, though I've always been the slow-to-anger; slower-to-respond-in-anger type, preferring to just "let it roll off my back" like a duck with water, this 'notification' from management spurred me to action. So, I struck back in the form of this editorial. I feel pushed to convey to my fellows my feelings that I must second Kristina Frazier-Henry's sentiments of just the past month's 'raping' at the hands of management, and that's after 2 and a half years of attempting to remain silent, more part of the solution than of the problem. I know, better than many and most, how difficult it is to start a new business. I understand the foibles often encountered, the hardship of working and dealing with people, especially the "creative"-types, like us (we?) writers/reviewers... Therefore, I decided to shut up and try not to cause Epinions management any additional, unneeded, useless, and unnecessary problems and concerns by 'acting out' just because I didn't get what I wanted. Even when it took more than 16 months to, finally, receive my first nod of approval from Epinions. Up until then, only wondering if my efforts and carefully constructed reviews were appreciated (for those of you interested, you may find that in the two reviews I referenced in paragraph one), I said nothing. I preferred to maintain my self-respect and keep my mouth shut, if not in an attempt to maintain peace here on the site and among my fellow reviewers. If not to always give the fledgling managerial staff at epinions benefit of the doubt, I said nothing. Words and actions can hurt more than help if misplaced or misrepresent or misinterpreted. So I try to think things through, before acting out in the heat (or disappointment) of the moment. Well... I guess we all have our limits. I'm afraid I'm learning my own, today. So, get a grip you're saying. Rouchelle, what the heck is this all about? I'll share both the instigating "offender" piece of email, as well as my (unaccustomed, and once more I emphasize, out-of-character [for me]) heated reply. I only hope that someone understands my [yes, they are selfish, too] reasons for this editorial. See, those of us who stayed here these many years, as we watched our "rewards" go from cents-per-posting, to NOTHING, remained here throughout out of more than "love of money". Hopefully epinions.com is not about to find out just what it'll cost to avoid taking charge of their own business. That they, misguidedly perhaps, not allow those little people [who seem to bring others of their acquaintance and are considered the popular ones due more to their social butterfly personalities/capabilities than for their communication skills in the written form] discourage those of us who ask nothing more than fair (intelligent and just/justified) consideration and treatment. That's all I ask in return for my mature actions, efforts and abilities, respect for and devotion to a company whose strong point for existing is the asset it represents (or SHOULD/COULD) to our consuming public. That epinions not find out these social butterfly types, who have amassed such followings in such a short time might not be here when their chips are down. That those 'fair-weather' creatures do not possess one iota of people skills, nor do they care for anyone who cannot (or will not) defer to their personal wants and interests. They know who they are; and, if we're lucky, so will many other of us, soon. Now, because I really need/have to get back to my DAY job, I'll end this diatribe, this bitter-pill-of-an editorial that has become a sonata without music; a sonnet that is neither poem, nor within the limits of its conventional rhyming schemes; this saga that fits the bill: it does go on, and on. :) THE NOTIFICATION Dear LEDOMAINE, Thank you for your contributions to Epinions as an Advisor. The most recent selection process for Advisor roles on Epinions has been completed. Unfortunately, you did not meet the criteria required to hold an Advisor title in Movies. Although you did not qualify this round, you will continue to be considered in the future based on your activity on the site. If you are interested in becoming either a Top Reviewer or Advisor in the future, the selection criteria for each are below. ADVISORS: - Quality of ratings. Selective rating of others' opinions with feedback ranging from "Not Helpful" to "Very Helpful". See Epinions Rating Guidelines: http://www.epinions.com/member/show_~news/sub_~ratingsguidelines - Rating frequency. Regular contribution of high-quality ratings to reviews in your category. - Quality and quantity of comments. Regular contribution of constructive, high quality comments to reviews in your category. - Rating/comment minimum. Meeting the minimum number of ratings/comments required in your category. - Quality of Web of Trust. A Web of Trust that only includes other strong members - Review quality. While reviews are not a requirement for becoming an Advisor, if you chose to write reviews you should have an overall rating of "Very Helpful" for the majority of reviews in your category. - Compliance with the Epinions User Agreement. TOP REVIEWERS: - Quality of reviews written. An overall rating of "Very Helpful" for the vast majority of reviews in your category. - Review frequency. Regular contribution of high-quality reviews in your category. - Review minimum. Meeting the minimum number of reviews required in your category. - Number of first reviews written. Regularly contributing one of the first few reviews on a product rather than the hundredth review. - Quality of Web of Trust. A Web of Trust that only includes other strong members. - Compliance with the Epinions User Agreement. Thank you for your valuable contributions to Epinions. We encourage you to continue participating in the Epinions community and welcome any feedback you have. Sincerely, The Epinions.com Team MY REPLY (no, I am not proud of it; just feel better for having vented) Despite all the turbulence in my life of late, I regularly edited reviews in both the Movie and Books categories every other day (on average). I've done this the majority of the 29 months I've been a reviewer at epinions. I've written reviews in both these categories each of which have taken hours to compose (not just thoughtlessly clicking them off, only to make a few dollars, like so many with poor grammar and poorly communicated details). I've given epinions my best, though unlike some of those epinions undoubtedly treasure for their campy, popularity personalities, always dramatically making their presence known, epinions, obviously does not appreciate those of us who contribute our labors of love for the sake of doing just that: producing something, rating and commenting on the new member as much (if not more) effusively as we do on the veteran member reviews, encouraging them when they need it along with helpful hints on how to improve their new abilities, all in a sincere and with dedication to the skill of writing while offering the public potential consumer high-quality work of which this company (epinions) might be proud to call its own. Last month these 'leads' that someone chose, by what exact means I cannot say, took away my title in Books. Ironical, however except for sending management a 'note' in email letting them know about my bewilderment, I did nothing, but continue to spend hours and hours reading, rating and commenting reviews on books and movies for the past month, more than 100 each and with a varied array of ratings ranging from "off topic" to "very helpful". Apparently my labor and efforts were not "very helpful" to epinions. I came here when this site meant so much to us newbies... not because of the money we could make (the mere cents for work we infused with pieces of ourselves, and at a time when the story of epinions was only just being written, no firm rules or guidelines by which WE could mold or format our reviews). We stayed because we felt proud of our work, and proud of a site that seemed equally as eager to show the world THE best. Now many--but thankfully not all--of those with rank seem to be barely capable of putting together an intelligent thought, let alone give advise to the new reviewer who needs guidance. Their comments are either heartless, cold or canned, but of course what really could they offer with so little skill and ability of their own? Yes, I'm angry... but more saddened. I gave quietly, patiently waiting for epinions' management to mature enough to realize the TRUE reasons the majority of their really great contributors contributed, and to make known the value of their efforts to the success of this site and your coffers. Apparently, I've waited in vain. Bless you all. I'll think deeply (maturely and fairly) on whether my presence here at epinions is important enough to warrant the empty thanks I've received in turn from epinions these 2 and a half years of my obviously unnoticed tenure. Take care. And, if my words have unjustly stricken some of you there, I know you are aware they were not intended for you. Those who were justly offended, please do not take them as a personal offense, but the sorrow felt by one offended, such as myself. Rouchelle LEDOMAINE ----- Original Message ----- As ALWAYS, thanks for reading... I have vented. Unlike any other of my reviews/editorials, this one was the most spontaneously written. I apologize for the deference in character to those of you who've known me 'always' (read, all my epinions life). I thank you all for 'listening' and hope I've not hurt your sensibilities. To be fair to epinions, I do not know if they've responded to my email reply or not. In the past it's mostly been form letters, so I don't know if they've got one to cover anything quite like this, huh? I'll check later (when I'm legal, and rightfully back on my OWN TIME :) This is not meant to elicited pity, nor to influence any other's opinions of site, nor of person. Please take it as it was meant: a human reaction to an emotional event; an outletting for so many months (years) of having held my peace. I do mean what I said early in this posting: I do not know if I'll see a third anniversary here. There really is a limit to what anyone (even those preferring quiet and peace) of us CAN take and still respect themselves. Let me assure you all, I do know my own worth. Bless you one and all... and Take Care! Tuesday, June 25, 2002 **********  |
| Read all comments (44)|Write your own comment |
