Taking 'THUMBS DOWN' too personally?

SGM Matthew Quick — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 18:11:27 -0500

Over the past week, I've seen a few take receiving a 'Thumbs Down' personally and get upset over this.  I've even witnessed a retribution-style 'Thumbs Down' just 'too get back at a thumbs down'.<br><br>People, if another member does not like or agree with your comment, you MAY be making an unpopular comment...doesn't mean it's wrong, just that another member did not agree with you.  (Note:  I think I got about 10 'Thumbs Down' for the minimum drinking age post and I'm OK with it.)<br><br>Some of our BEST leaders make some of the most unpopular decisions...if you get a thumbs down, you MAY be doing something right. ;)

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 30 at 2013 6:55 PM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 18:55:43 -0500

MSG, well spoken. We are all professionals, and Rally Point offers an opportunity to discuss a broad array of topics including those we hold closest to our hearts and souls. In the moments when somebody touches a nerve, it's too easy to react quickly with very human emotions, and it is expected that we will all occasionally feel the sting of disagreement/rejection. That's normal; however, the mark of professionals is the capacity to engage in spirited debate and dialog without it degenerating into personal attacks or creating enemies. If anything, the discussions provide a forum where we can use the input from our fellow service members to assimilate new ideas; consider different perspectives; explore as yet undiscovered insights, and examine our own opinions to ensure that we are each making progress towards becoming the person we should be. True growth is always punctuated by learning, and most of that comes from meaningful interaction with other people who hold differing ideas.

And like MSG says, popular and right are not necessarily the same thing. Speak your conviction, but don't let it get the better of you if there are disagreements.

Again MSG, well spoken; the hallmark of a professional.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 7:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 19:24:49 -0500

I have found myself on the "Downs" for my infantry postings. I have found that some took stuff far to personal and I even just posted that I will no longer post to that thread. I know we are all professionals but I would say that just because you are a professional soldier doesn't mean automatically at like a professional.  I feel that some must justify their relevance by downing you and substituting reality with their opinion. We need to have thick skin and agree to disagree. <div><br></div><div>I also think there is some tension within the relation of age and rank. The situation I ran into was with a senior enlisted person. Often you will see a 2LT out of college with little to no idea what the army is about. I am a prior SSG that was about to make SFC but decided go the officer route instead. I felt that my qualifications was being questioned. I was surprised some would even do that. First, as a professional you shouldn't question the person or his experience. That is taking things to a personal level. From that point things will only degrade and no form of professional development is possible from that point on.</div>

Response by LTC Jason Bartlett made Dec 1 at 2013 2:31 AM

LTC Jason Bartlett — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 02:31:18 -0500

MSG Quick I was going to give you a thumbs down just to prove your point (j/j). I have given thumbs down just for the reasons you stated, don't expect a response other then I don't agree with you or I think you are being disrespectful.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 1 at 2013 8:28 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 20:28:06 -0500

As the leader in the most "thumbs down" of the site I feel I have credibility in the subject. I think you shouldn't curtail your opinions/comments because of fear of getting a thumbs down. I know with certainty some of my comments will get thumbs down. Embrace them. Take a stance and defend it. I count every 2 thumbs down as a thumbs up anyway. (2 negatives = a positive) Take your thumbs down with pride, people will respect you for it.

Haters....they gonna hate! ;-)

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 1 at 2013 8:37 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 20:37:54 -0500

As a general rule, if a thread has anything to do with politics or religion, you HAVE to expects couple of downed thumbs... I'd go so far as to say that if you're never getting a thumbs down, you're probably not saying anything worth hearing or very thoughtful.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jan 10 at 2014 6:36 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:36:37 -0500

Hi everyone, just in case you haven't seen this update yet, on your User Profile in the new "Recent Activity" section, you can see exactly who voted you Up/Down, and for which specific comment. Go check it out and tell us what you think!

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Jan 10 at 2014 6:43 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:43:29 -0500

Arbitrarily assigned points designed to increase traffic to a website are my only measure of self worth.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 8:53 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 08:53:13 -0500

Why all the hate on the thumbs down!! lol

Response by MSG Cameron Davis made Feb 5 at 2014 9:21 AM

MSG Cameron Davis — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:21:48 -0500

I was told something very similar the day I was promoted to Sergeant and entered the NCO ranks....sound advise!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 9:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 09:35:18 -0500

I honestly don't care about the thumbs down feature.  If you want to give me one, it's your world.  However, I just have an issue with people who jump into conversations without participating at all and vote down on every comment you have in the thread.  That's childish!  That's the most obvious form of targeting I have ever seen.  I recently had an issue with an individual because he gave me a thumbs down on 6-8 comments in the same thread (mind you he was the only one).  This type of behavior is ridiculous.  Have a voice people.  Vote down all you want but if you're not going to engage the person and tell them why you think they're full of it, how will they ever know?  We're all leaders here, well most of us.  It's like an NCO doing an on-the-stop correction on the soldier but instead of telling them what's wrong, "You're f'd up" is all the soldier gets.  How is that productive?  Anyway, just my two cents.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2014 10:22 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Feb 2014 10:22:28 -0500

Leadership isn't a popularity contest!  We can't be so afraid of failure that we risk not saying something because it may get a thums down.  If you have relevant insight, speak up!  Even if it is unpopular or controversial, that is fine!  You can respectfully disagree with someone, or explain why you think their contributions aren't relevant and still be profesional about it.  The ability to give and take criticism shows both humility and maturity.  I hope our egos aren't that delicate!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2014 5:58 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Feb 2014 05:58:32 -0500

What does a THUMBS DOWN get you or do to you? Hurt feelings is all I have noticed. I see why facebook doesnt have Thumbs Down. TOO MUCH DRAMA!!! lol

Response by SGT Andrew Chapman made Apr 23 at 2014 5:05 PM

SGT Andrew Chapman — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 17:05:13 -0400

MSG Matthew Q
I can agree with you on this and at the same time say that if a person doesn't agree why cant they say I don't agree and why, If you standing face to face and you don't agree then the person says why and you give your reason. I remember a lot of times in the motor pool we are all taking and if you didn't agree you said so and it made everyone closer. Now with that said and having teen daughter I have seen how first hand people get behind the keyboard and blast someone and give no reason because they are scared is my opinion.

SGT Chapman

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 3:17 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 15:17:23 -0400

Nope, people need to grow some thick skin and get a spine!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 3:52 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 15:52:19 -0400

I don't think people are as concerned about down-voting as they are about not knowing why. We're working on some changes to the way down-voting works. However down-voting is a right we want to keep around, but we are definitely open to suggestions.
Thank you

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jun 1 at 2014 4:23 PM

CPT Richard Riley — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 16:23:07 -0400

It seems to be more of a pride and understanding thing than anything else. There have been several different threads revolving around the general topic and all have similar results.
If it bothers you to be down voted & you take it personally - as many have stated you need to grow some thicker skin. This site is based upon the idea that we help each other with knowledge and assist those who ask to improve their situation. I do not see the site as a personal soap box or sounding board for 'at-a-boy' comments. Each person here brings something unique because no two individuals have the exact same background and experience.
To get into a kerfuffle over syntax or word definitions is ridiculous, but it's a free country - have at it if that is how you choose to represent yourself. To believe that everyone will agree with your statement or position means to me your not being honest with yourself or anyone here ... you're just commenting to feel good and get the at-a-boy thumbs.
In the end we're all human and there are going to be stark differences in how each look at something - so accept the good with the not so good and move to the next thread. Most likely over 95% of those on this site have never met face-to-face anyway ... so why does a thumbs down hurt your feelings unless you make it personal?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 7:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 19:03:13 -0400

No! Not my influence points! Take my blood instead.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2014 11:09 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 23:09:28 -0400

Wait, no one voted you down for asking such a question?

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Jun 5 at 2014 10:51 PM

MSG Floyd Williams — Thu, 05 Jun 2014 22:51:37 -0400

I take it as a challenge to keep me on my toes.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Jun 6 at 2014 12:20 AM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 00:20:26 -0400

I think if someone receives more than 10 "thumbs down" in a week, they should be put on the "High Risk" watch by their command.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 18 at 2014 4:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 18 Jul 2014 16:18:20 -0400

SGM, I think it should not be taken too personally. This is a Rally Point! We converge to share ideas and debate in a healthy way. I get particularly excited when I see a topic or a question get so many threads of response and counter responses. It is a healthy sign that says we are all not just following and nodding our heads in the same direction. We come from diverse backgrounds and we might see things differently from time to time. Somebody may not have the time to respond to a particular notion or assertion in writing and therefore might resort to the quickest response by thumbing it down. It means he or she may have a different idea or opinion but can put it in writing at that moment. This allows us to learn from one another. In view of that, it is not a healthy sign to take thumb downs too personally. It's about the way we look at the same issues but interpret them differently.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Apr 26 at 2015 1:16 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Sun, 26 Apr 2015 13:16:56 -0400

I had posted something I thought i was going to get thumbs down hammered on but I posted it anyway, though it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 20 at 2015 6:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 20 Jun 2015 18:33:29 -0400

Like someone alluded to, it would be nice to see why someone dissents.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jun 23 at 2015 2:02 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 02:02:14 -0400

Thanks for saying what clearly needs to be said, reinforced, reminded, reworded, and hopefully one day understood SGM Matthew Quick! Besides, everyone agreeing with each other all the time would get boring.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 1:56 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 01:56:28 -0400

I recently saw a poster on this website comment "Giving a thumbs down because you disagree with me??"
To me, this is what the thumbs down is for, and I haven't even given any out. What else would they be used for? Why do you people feel so offended when someone disagrees with their opinion?

Response by SFC Michael Jackson, MBA made Jun 24 at 2015 5:10 AM

SFC Michael Jackson, MBA — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 05:10:44 -0400

SGM Matthew Quick I actually agree with your comment. I only gave you thumbs down as a joke :)

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Jul 18 at 2018 9:39 PM

PO3 John Wagner — Wed, 18 Jul 2018 21:39:05 -0400

I agree... Thank you for the post Sir. I shall remove the thumbs down in short order.
Appreciate the subject..

Response by SSgt Ray Stone made Jul 19 at 2018 6:36 AM

SSgt Ray Stone — Thu, 19 Jul 2018 06:36:18 -0400

Majority of the time I only thumb down when someone blatantly tells lies and bullsh@$%t propaganda or thumbs me down. Yeah I'm petty so be it

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Jul 31 at 2020 9:59 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 09:59:22 -0400

Or, if you get a thumbs down, you may also actually be doing or saying something really wrong or really stupid. It goes both ways.

Responding once again to a discussion thread several years old. ;-)

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Jul 31 at 2020 3:23 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 31 Jul 2020 15:23:42 -0400

I don't take them personally. But I *do* expect an explanation or rationalization. Especially because when you deluver a down-thumb a pop-up TELLS YOU that this is customary.

If you disagree, great! Tell me why. Hell, you may even get me to agree with you if you can offer a reasoned and well thought out explanation.