Here's my addition to this report.
+500$ redistributed via reward pool today. (accounts will need to take a rest)
My reason for flagging;
@craig-grant : Still promoting an obvious ponzi scheme in all his videos.
@virus707 : Self-voting for reward scheme (even though it's apparently for buying gifts to attract Korean community) Now moved on to upvoting very low quality pictures via Steepshot
@abdullar : Same thing, low quality steepshots, is delegating to @virus707
@corn113 : Self-upvoting empty comments
@redbanana : Self-upvoting empty comments
@michelle.gent : Disagreement on reward, Posting a novel page by page, getting ~65$ for ~20 views.
@suesa : Disagreement on reward, Posting a novel page by page, getting ~115$ for ~100 views.
(Only flagged posts that were getting more than 1$/impression after a few days.)
I definitely appreciate the effort to keep scammers and spammers under control here, but I have to say that @suesa and @michelle.gent do as much to provide value to the users of this platform as anyone. Both are sharing novel-length pieces of fiction split up into reasonable serial-length chapters (not pages) which are longer than most standalone short stories. Their posts are perfectly sized for daily consumption on a platform like this. They both also share articles which clearly take a great deal of time to research, edit, and share.
I have no personal relationship to either of them. It's just that they're the folks I come here to read, and I hate to see their efforts discouraged.
With all the outright scammy behavior going on with the platform now, it seems a shame to go after a couple of the success-stories who have gotten where they are by consistent hard work. It also has me wondering how hard I should work. After a certain level of success, are we meant to curtail our efforts?
You are of course free to exercise your steem-power as you like. I just needed to point out that as a reader, and as someone who actually comes to a publishing platform because he wants to find something to read, I feel these particular flags diminish rather than strengthen this community.
Disagreeing with the rewards on transistos comment and distributed them to you.
Flagging spammers is fine by me, flagging minnowbooster and other bots is debatable, but flagging authors who put in a lot of work will discourage them from writing.
If you have some arbitrary criteria for views and payout, you should probably fix the distribution of steem power not the rewards 😉
If you assume they are ONLY writing this to earn from the reward pool then yes, better they stop writing. You should instead wonder who would pays to promote their chapters to steem. Maybe they'd expect to sell more books by getting known on Steem?
Start by seeing the full circle of what brings value to Steem before going around giving advice about what content should be promoted or not.
WTF is this? I obviously do have arbitrary criteria for payouts and NO, I'd never advocate for stealing stake by redistributing it arbitrarily.
Given the whole of your work at redistributing the reward to random minnows solely because they are poor and deserving and completely disregarding content it wouldn't surprise me that's what you meant.
How many people from outside of steem do these book chapters attract? Not enough for the reward paid, ask @jerrybanfield how many people 115$ of advertisement on facebook can bring to Steemit.
If you want to finance the production of these books without oversight from the community you're free to send your own Steem/SBD directly to the author's account.
Effort and originality of content has little to do with content's ability to bring viewership to the platform.
Well, clearly you have a different vision for the platform, and as I said, it's your prerogative to curate for that vision with votes and flags. I guess I'm just confused about what it is.
Did these particular authors attract me to Steemit in the first place? No. But their work is a tremendous part of what keeps me coming back. If all I saw on here were articles about crypto-currency trading and meta-posts analyzing the politics of Steemit, I'd just have written this place off as a scam and concluded it had nothing to offer for my time and attention. I happen to love reading serialized fiction in among the other news and articles. It's a tradition that extends back to Charles Dickens and Arthur Conan Doyle, and it's still enjoyable today.
I don't understand the comment about @jerrybanfield. Are you saying that you feel that large payouts should be reserved for people whose content brings in new viewers, and people who are willing to invest US dollars to advertising in their efforts to do so? If that's the case, what are new viewers meant to read and enjoy once they arrive here?
As far as "oversight from the community," I thought that's what we were doing by voting with our stake. By voting for the content we enjoy, we encourage the production of more of what we enjoy. This seemed like an elegant means of oversight, to me.
I see, for example, that the vast majority of votes to these accounts come from the @blocktrades account. I'm not sure if it's an individual or a business behind that account's votes. Is your issue with the fact that this quite substantial account is consistently voting for the same few users on a regular basis, and that someone with that kind of influence is distributing their stake of the reward pool without oversight?
I'm genuinely trying to understand your position here. I think that if I (and a lot of the other writers who have expressed concerns here) saw more clearly what it was, we might even potentially agree with it. If you explained it in previous posts, could you perhaps provide a link to them?
You've clearly invested a lot of time on this platform, and I think we can agree we'd like to see Steemit grow into something we can all enjoy and perhaps even profit from.
What I'm trying to say is that the reward will eventually have very little to do with the cost of creating content. There is no cost to consume content so if you think the author will stop producing what you like without the reward from steem inflation then you should fund the work directly via transfers. The reward is either meant to be paid (not received) to promote content or as a reward for posting (not necessarily producing) content that people want to see / or think will attract people on Steem.
At the end of the day it would be my personal opinion to not want to see that kind of content anywhere near the trending page but given my stake I fell the responsibility to explain my long term vision and voting strategy.
This whole conversation prompted be to do this : https://steemit.com/promo-steem/@transisto/bring-a-steemit-com-post-to-1-daily-rank-of-reddit-com-r-bitcoin-or-r-cryptocurency-and-earn-500-sbd-big-votes
check it twice. suesa is far from chopping novels into pieces for profit. also, if criteria is such view/reward ratio, see trending page.
took me 4 sec to find this
https://steemit.com/hate/@joseph/country-singer-neal-mccoy-writes-a-song-called-take-a-knee-my-ass
looks like witch hunt to me.
Flagged it too because of low quality but at least @joseph post was current event.
Random novel chapters will be worth the same thing in 7 days than they will be in 1 year. No point in having them in trending when only 30 people viewed it and maybe 5 actually read it.
i still have a feeling that you didnt explained it fully. at least i cant see it.
your reasons are clear, but they shouldnt be enough to make Suesa and Michelle your priorities.
i found poor joseph too quick, and 4,5 similar authors too. so i had to calculate a bit to find out who had worse numbers. joseph lost. and i dont like math&digging at all^
there is so many people who are stealing, circle jerking, self upvoting and writing novels&publishing them in chapters/ or all that at once^
but you flagged S&M
i mean, how did you made a choice? did they have biggest earnings&lowest views in chaptered-fiction?
i could understand that in a way^
Hi @transisto. As an admin for a writers' group on Discord called The Writers' Block with some 250 members, it is incumbent on me to seek some clarification: is it serialized posts you have a problem with per se or the frequency of them? For example, I have been writing my own sci-fi series for a while now HERE. When I post my next part, do I have to fear it being flagged? It was weeks before in between parts, this time it has been a few months. Thanks for your time.
This turn of events has the potential to be devastating for authors who wish to make a home on Steemit. As someone fairly well-connected in the mainstream writing/publishing community, I can see this discouraging many authors who would bring value to the platform from becoming affiliated. I don't see how this is beneficial to Steemit or the value of Steem in any way. Many readers are very interested in fiction, even serialized fiction. I would love to see Steemit compete with traditional online literary magazines with both content and payout to the author. But if authors are penalized for creating original fiction and posting it on Steemit, I can't imagine this would ever be the case.
No it's not serialization, it's about timeliness and popularity. Relatively few people will rush to read a novel just because it came out. Original novel writing will never be a good fit for Steem which gain it's value from ever changing trending page based on 7 day voting window. If on the other hand you are a known book author with a user-base and you publish your book chapters first on Steem or exclusively then I think the promotion initiative is worth rewarding relative to the amount and quality of viewership brought to the platform.
Want an other example:
If you manage to land a Steemit.com post to #1 rank of r/bitcoin or r/cryptocurrency , I'd vote your post to 80$ and will send you 500 SBD for the achievement.
Here: https://steemit.com/promo-steem/@transisto/bring-a-steemit-com-post-to-1-daily-rank-of-reddit-com-r-bitcoin-or-r-cryptocurency-and-earn-500-sbd-big-votes
@transisto, we at the Writers' Block have the ability to bring quite a few established writers/authors/editors to the userbase, and in fact, have already done so, including the Assistant Editor of Perihelion Science Fiction magazine and the Chief Editor himself, Sam Bellotto, Jr. He didn't become active on the platform due to concerns that included scenarios exactly like this one. I have no doubt that our hybrid publishing efforts would bring tremendous value to the platform, as part of our initiative is introducing Steemit authors to the mainstream literary community. And in reverse, recruiting established authors to Steemit. But this flag issue is concerning. It's going to put off a lot of professionals who otherwise might have joined our ranks. I'm hesitant to recruit new users at this point if their focus is fiction. I believe Steemit is a wonderful arena to offer serialized fiction, as it will keep readers returning and upvoting and contributing time and again. I stress that it must be original fiction, never before published, unless payout is declined, something it took me a minute to realize we could do. I would really love the opportunity to pursue the vision of bridging Steemit with mainstream publishing, since it would benefit the platform as well as the authors. But that will never happen if authors steer clear of Steemit out of fear they will become a target.
I have been aware of @michelle-gent for some time now. She's a hard working writer of original content who has been sharing her chapters here on Steemit. She's been a consistent publisher of original content and has developed a following. What she's doing should be encouraged not flagged.
It's not about hard-working or so much about originality it's about timeliness and popularity. Relatively few people will rush to read a novel just because it came out. Original novel writing will never be a good fit for Steem which gain it's value from ever changing trending page based on 7 day voting window. If on the other hand you are a known book author with a user-base and you publish your book chapters first on Steem or exclusively then I think the promotion initiative is worth rewarding relative to the amount and quality of viewership brought to the platform.
Want an other example:
If you manage to land a Steemit.com post to #1 rank of r/bitcoin or r/cryptocurrency , I'd vote your post to 80$ and will send you 500 SBD for the achievement.
Here: https://steemit.com/promo-steem/@transisto/bring-a-steemit-com-post-to-1-daily-rank-of-reddit-com-r-bitcoin-or-r-cryptocurency-and-earn-500-sbd-big-votes
You clearly are taking a very narrow vision of STEEM and Steemit. The only reason that original novel writing wouldn't be a good fit is because of people like you shooting down quality writing because it isn't of interest to you.
Steemit makes an excellent proving ground for writers and content creators of all kinds, but not when good consistent work is being killed because of personal choices of whales.
As for your 'example' why would I want or even care if a Steemit post ranked anywhere on Reddit? I find that site a POS that I wouldn't spend 5 minutes on. That comes after having explored it several times wanting to discover what attraction the site could possibly hold.
So, basically YOU want posts on bitcoin or cryptocurrency and are trying to run off people who don't share your interests. Rather selfish and lacking vision for a guy who has an investment in this platform.
You seem to forget that everyone who posts content on this platform and receives rewards for doing so and don't withdraw those rewards is invested in this platform. That investment may not have the dollars that others have, but it is just as important to them. That includes people like @michelle.gent
Copy/paste responses are very steemian indeed.
So you think hard working (and good) writers should not be paid as much as semi-automated (or fully botted) posting of the same Bitcoin (or whatever coin) graph with a few (probably also auto-generated) words??
Or just videos thrown into the fray, with made with nearly zero effort, just a bit of talking?
You seem to have a vastly different image of quality then I have.
It's not about hard-working or so much about originality it's about timeliness and popularity. Relatively few people will rush to read a novel just because it came out. Original novel writing will never be a good fit for Steem which gain it's value from ever changing trending page based on 7 day voting window. If on the other hand you are a known book author with a user-base and you publish your book chapters first on Steem or exclusively then I think the promotion initiative is worth rewarding relative to the amount and quality of viewership brought to the platform.
Want an other example:
If you manage to land a Steemit.com post to #1 rank of r/bitcoin or r/cryptocurrency , I'd vote your post to 80$ and will send you 500 SBD for the achievement.
Here: https://steemit.com/promo-steem/@transisto/bring-a-steemit-com-post-to-1-daily-rank-of-reddit-com-r-bitcoin-or-r-cryptocurency-and-earn-500-sbd-big-votes
If, on the other hand, you are a known Crypto blogger, you don't need steemit at all and should not get paid, right?
@michelle.gent :- you are incorrect as far as I can see..
This is not spam, or bots. This is original content.
I don't understand the logic.
This is what steemit needs more of, Not less.
@transisto
You don't agree with how I share my work?
Or you don't believe that I should get paid for my original work, mostly shared EXCLUSIVELY on Steemit.com?
My writing ranges from 1500 words to 800 words per post. It's all original work - mine - and it is all ONLY shared here on Steemit.com.
I'm disappointed that you don't think my writing deserves upvotes. I guess you're entitled to your opinion.
OK, I get it. I'll stop posting my novels on here but I do think it's a shame that I'm being singled out like this.
I'm very grateful for that, thanks you. I considered that the size of your viewership and quality did not balance out with the reward that were allocated. Notice I also didn't fully flag your post and flagged only a few of them.
Perhaps the people upvoting felt it was worth what they were giving? Flagging over post rewards when there isn't an additional factor, such as collusion or fraud, is one of the best ways to ruin this platform. It punishes incidental success, which all of us would be happy for.
Well I hope you'll notice that I don't post again and you will realise that you and you alone are responsible for my leaving the platform.
Thanks you and congratulations, your mighty power is available for everyone on the platform to observe and everyone not yet on the platform to take heed and warning of that it is you and you alone that is the sole gatekeeper of the platform and by your leave only shall anyone gain reward.
And with that, steemit has lost a writer of original content.
This is heartbreaking and horrifying. It is going to cause other well-known authors to keep a wide berth, and believe me, news travels very fast in the publishing world.
maybe you dont need to go. maybe you just need to adjust where necessary. just an opinion though
Thank you. I've decided to stay and just not post my fiction any more. Much as that pains me, I'll write other types of blogs. I have a little experience in journalism and other types of writing. I'm sure I'll manage...
The first author I check when I come onto Steemit in the morning is @michelle.gent. Her writing adds value to my Steemit experience and I'm appalled that, out of all the people on Steemit, you're targetting her. I'm not familiar with @suesa but am now interested in checking out their work.
If you want to finance the production of these chapters without oversight from the community you're free to send your own Steem/SBD directly to the author's account.
What oversight? I don't see the issue with votes being directed at authors. Unless you can demonstrate that she somehow defrauded the people voting for her, what transgression has occurred? What sort of boundary has she crossed that you can provide a logical reason for acting? Thus far, you've given examples of timeliness and exposure - both reasonable criteria - but unless there's some sort of collusion, I fail to see how either of these issues is reason enough to knock rewards on a post that is original content and demonstrates a significant amount of effort. This isn't a shitpost. There's plenty of other content to flag where reasons for the flag are clear cut and well-supported.
Value flows to what's scarce. My imagination is unique so therefore exceptionally scarce.
Experiential knowledge that cannot be digitized will retain scarcity value. My imagination cannot be digitized - it can only be created by me - if and when I please, not for anyone else unless I agree to the value they offer.
This is the basis of @transisto's suggestion to acquire skills, not credentials. My skills as a writer, editor and storyteller are so scarce there's only ONE of me in this whole world, yet 11 of my unique and original posts have been flagged by @transisto in complete contravention to his/her own words.
Check this out ! She totally reposted a post she made 7 days ago that all ready made over 40.00 SD and copy pasted the whole thing and tried entering it into my Pop Contest as I try to spread more Positivity on steemit ! Its up to another 11.00 SD for copy pasted work ! While we all struggle to make even a dollar ! I just shared this info as well with @berniesanders
https://steemit.com/popcontest/@himshweta/pop-contest-entry-life-of-a-steemit-user
and heres the link from 7 days ago also up voted by @techslut , amongst others , that I had all ready up voted once , now she wants me ro do it again!!
https://steemit.com/poetry/@himshweta/struggles-of-every-steemian-an-original-poetry
Keep up the great work you guys are doing for the community @transisto !! While I try my best to spread positivity in the community and make it a great place for us all !
@karenmckersie don't you remember when this was you? I stood up for you.
is there a reason your upset with me , have I ever said or done anything against you !? I don't know why everyone is so hostile lately on steemit . Thanks for standing up for me in the past when all the rules were so different and I knew absolutely nothing about the internet or blogging and was never on a social media site before . What she did and all her comments back were a completely different story . I never knew the rules back then , but she does , and thinks thinks its perfectly ok to repost her story after it has paid out , then send bots to her reposted story to make more money on the exact same thing . Maybe these rules can change if the bots and everything else changes . Or if she wouldn't have posted it in my contest to possibly win and earn more money on top of not declining post payout . Thanks again beanz .👍✌💕
I'm just surprised to see you with a pitchfork, that's all. There are no official rules to break on steem, we all individually set our own standards and I think it's a lot to expect other people to automatically live up to our own without prior efforts to come to an understanding,
I didn't realize I had a pitchfork LOL ! Im one of the most positive people on steemit . im not good at explaining things at all , but as im currently doing my post for the new contest I have tried explain it better in the rules there . If she wouldn't have been trying to possibly collect 3 times on one post it would have been different . Perhaps she should have declined pay out the second time she posted it after it all ready paid out . It certainly blew up into way more then it should have ! from now on the rules to my contest will be explained in more detail ! This was the first time I had this issue in 14 weeks of doing my pop contest !
I just feel like we're being distracted and turned against each other for the small amounts of income we get from this... We don't need to be fighting. ❤️
I totally agree ! Its more of a misunderstanding and the fact that I am terrible at explaining things and at times I come across as being mad or something when I type which I don't mean to be at all . I have explained the rules better I hope this time in my new contest post as well so there's no more discrepancies I hope ! It all just blown way out of proportion , fast , for no reason ! LOL! Thanks for your kind reply back ! 💕✌👍💕
Don't underestimate what pitchforks can do (and did through history) when they band together and rise up!
You think this is an uprising?
Not an uprising necessarily, but standing up for sure.
have you been once guilty of what you are reporting
More that she was victim of not being allowed make the steem rewards we wanted her to have. According to another whale who was policing the system just like these.
she should just take things slow
I've been tagged so I reply - I thought that poem was funny. Not $40 funny, but I ain't no judge. I saw that she indeed reposted it just by copy/pasting. No justification for that.
What's a better course of action - flag or submit to steemcleaners? Thanks in advance!
not sure , I heard from sweetpea that at @bluepencil this same type of thing is going on and steemcleaners has been dealing with it . Thanks for your reply .✌👍
Am I to understand that people are posting material once, then editing and reposting the same material again without declining payout? Or am I misunderstanding?
Yes you are right . The fact that she did it also by trying to win even more money in my contest on top of not declining payout . Is what made it worse . Thanks for replying !👍✌💕
I would also disagree on your suesa's downvote. There is far worse abuse happening than suesa's posts.
Why would you flag @suesa? She's great and brings tons of value to the platform !
She's a legit nice person and is getting rewarded for her work in the story-telling fiction department.