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The value of forum upvotes

Roadie June 11th, 2015

[Note: Originally posted in Listeners Only forums, but moved to general forum because this is relevant for all!]

There is something that I've notice about the forums while just observing and not actively participating.

If you're interested in supporting people, truly interested in supporting people, I ask you to try this one thing after reading this post. Go to one support forum thread and read someone's story. You don't need to reply but just read.

I think we can all recall times in our lives when we have been hurt, have been spurned, or have felt alone. Have been lost in our negative thoughts, seeking affirmation from others whether it be positive or whether it be negative.

Do you remember those times?

When I read the support forums, I see hundreds of posts made every day by members. And I see hundreds of threads created by those same members.

What are they after when they post?

Are they after a panacea, a magic bullet to cure all of their ills?

Can you think of a time when you've been there?

When you feel as though you're alone, hiding in the dark. Terrified from the
lack of light, all you are after is one spark to inspire. One spark to remind you that you are important. One spark to acknowledge that you're still worthy of someone's time and attention.

So when I see post after post after post unacknowledged, it makes me wonder. If I was them and I had shown the courage to spill my soul out onto the page for others and nobody had acknowledged that it had even been seen. How would I feel?

As a listener community, we give appreciation readily and openly to one another. Community shout outs to listeners are posted every day. Anonymous appreciation messages are sent daily, again to fellow listeners. Acknowledgement after acknowledgement of one another which is so kind and open however why can this not be shared with our members?

Let me just say this.

A man beaten down by society sits on the side of the road, soul destroyed. Watching person after person look away quickly to avoid his gaze. It makes you feel like less of a human being. A smile, an acknowledgement is worth more to that man than all of the gold that has been mined from this earth.

In the support forums, that acknowledgement is easy. It's called an upvote. A simple click of an upvote to show that someone has taken the time and care to read what they have posted.

Please, spend 30 seconds and make a difference to a member's life today because a forum upvote can be all that it takes.

171
themainjane June 12th, 2017

Things that make you go hmmm...

whats this place really about anyway?

very "Us and Them" feel here.

handshakes all around.

bumpity-bumpity-boo

All better? Good then.

2 replies
themainjane June 12th, 2017

@themainjane

That was a twofer - cuts both ways.

1 reply
themainjane June 14th, 2017

@themainjane

okay. So there was that. I retract my former evaluation and thought process on this one.

I definitely see the value in forum upvoting.

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BlueSkye2000 June 15th, 2017

@Roadie I love this!! Thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to look out for the unnoticed. It doesn't go unnoticed :)

And to everybody else: UPVOTE!

Lorenzo517 June 24th, 2017

@Roadie

you totally nailed it with this post. I will take my time to click that button more often.

cotex July 20th, 2017

@Roadie you are totally right. Good thing you burst out your observation. It is important to know the situation of the member and you can give them a helpful advice or ideas. I am glad to be part of the forum!

CallingDreams August 26th, 2017

Today had been turning out to be a bad day for me. During school when I was feeling pretty sad, I looked at my phone. Lo and behold, I got a notification saying someone had upvoted a post I had made a few months ago. I had completely forgotten about it, but knowing that someone took the time to press that little arrow really helped.

1 reply
Roadie OP August 27th, 2017

Thanks for sharing that @CallingDreams :)

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Roadie OP August 30th, 2017

I never thought it would get to 174 upvotes on that first post.. weird

September 8th, 2017

request 7cups to please! delete my account. 80% of the members who approached me were perverts. some other listeners approached me for a talk and they seemed psychotic...i don't wish to contribute on this site anymore, as it leaves me with negative vibes. please gracefully let me exit from this place, I have even deleted my associated email account, despite that I am able to log in to this account.

there's no delete option and there's also no deactivate option. so please.

1 reply
Anomalia September 8th, 2017

@seatofwisdom - You can email community@7cups.com to request your account be deleted or can change to 'self care break' in your settings which will put your account on pause and make it invisible to everyone. Hope that helps!

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peacefulWords45 September 12th, 2017

I was very reluctant with upvoting but because of your post I'm about t change that. It's really such a small thing to do but if it can make someone's day a little better we should all take the time and upvote.

Roadie OP December 23rd, 2017

It still surprises me that people read this thread if I'm honest. That's a good thing I realise but I never expected it to last five minutes let alone over two years!

1 reply
bernicestockstill January 5th, 2018

@Roadie people can surprise sometimes) Especially if new members are comming every day )

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amiableMoon9862 January 21st, 2018

Seems a nice thread to get acquainted with for newbies, long may it continue.