Ding,Dong-The Witch Is Gone
Oct 26 '00
This is a sequel to an review that I wrote entitled One Bad Apple Can Spoil The Whole Bunch.
A few months ago, I decided to take a break from Epinions. I stayed away for the most part and didn't write any new reviews. I couldn't stand to be on the site even long enough to read many of the Epinions of my Web Of Trust members. I didn't lose my love for writing or reading the works on this site, I just could no longer bear the ugliness of some members.
I enjoyed Epinions so much I finally decided to give out some of the independent message boards a try. I lurked around for a bit to get the "feel" of the general conversations. My primary concern was that they were not just highly evolved reading circles. I soon found them to be a meeting group for just a few sarcastic,mean spirited people who hate not only themselves but everyone else around them-in this case anyone not in their small elite circle. Now,don't get me wrong not everyone posting on this board was like that but their voices were overcome by the arrogance of the few.
I took note as to who these members were. I decided to seek out their work. The most outspoken,cruel person was an "expert". I decided to do a little detective work. I checked the comment notifier on her profile page so I could be informed when she wrote comments on others reviews. I also did the same for the others that were in question in my mind. I found she paraded around Epinions most of the day leaving horribly rude and at times threatening comments. She was reporting this one for this action and informing another member that they were wasting their time by writing a word. Over 95 percent of her comments were in some way hurtful. In fairness, the other members I found were very respectful while on this site and let their frustrations be known on the message board-which is their choice since unsuspecting members don't have to be subjected to their complaints. They were not trashing anyone's comments sections.
My last straw came the day I was reading from the Just In section and she attacked a brand spanking new member for posting a referral link. This person,upon inspection, had only written a few reviews and did not read the TOS. Every bone in my body went into a blind rage.
Why was Epinions letting her do this? This is not good for their business,she is single handily trying to drive members from THEIR site. Somebody stop her. I quickly plucked out a quick Epinion on Her Evilness without naming names and reported her tactics to Epinions staff. I was given a "sorry not much we can do". My frustration level,normally at a negative 1, was at a all time high of about 12. For my mental health(I'm not joking), I decided to leave the site. I could no longer bear to see her getting rewarded for the worst type of behavior possible on this site. Writing bogus reviews is one thing but intentional cruelty is another.
Time passed and I couldn't help but check in. Changes were happening. Experts became Advisors. The program for Advisors changed and only the most qualified were left with their well deserved status. I missed my outlet for writing and I ran out of reading materials around my house so I decided to give it another go. I soon found Epinions staff had pulled in the reins either intentionally or unintentionally by changing the system.
Many abusers were writing their "swan songs". Former bitter Experts last words condemning other members and the site itself. One former expert claimed to have made over 1000 dollars in April and only over 100 dollars in August. Talk about biting the hand that fed you. I don't recommend any of these type of reviews for any good information on Epinions but in a car wreck sort of way I guess they can be entertaining-that is, if you are not a targeted member or in the wreck.
You are not going to make over a grand a month anymore here nor will other members kow-tow to your greatness because you can write a semi-intelligent thought. If you are here for major money or some delusional sense of power, I suggest you find yourself a therapist. Other sites on the internet will pay you a flat rate for your articles, if money is your motivation(and I am in no way putting you down for that). You do not have the sense of community on the other sites that Epinions offers nor do you have to worry about reading others work to gain exposure for your own.
This is the place for you if you like reading others thoughts and overall like people in general. If other human existence bothers in in some way-move on. Not all of the writing found here is top notch-it is a site for all types of people. I have found most of us have something to say regardless of grammar errors.
I guess the moral of this story is to always remember and never,ever forget that what goes around does indeed come around. Your actions whether cruel or kind will have an impact on a living being even if you never see them. Words are taken to heart. I, for one,am very grateful for the recent changes made by the powers that be at Epinions. Hopefully,this will be my final submission to the Community Room.
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Epinions.com ID:
sparklesky
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Member: Melissa
Reviews written: 75
Trusted by: 323 members
About Me:
"My heart does not know from logic."
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