Weekly Contest Is A Popularity Contest

The weekly poetry contest is, I believe, more of a popularity contest than a valid contest...

To reduce, or eliminate popularity bias, I believe the contest would be better served making each entry as by an anonymous author, then it can be rated by anonymous, random readers who can then view it without any preconceived notions related to it's author...

When the entry's contest period is over, the poem is simply placed back into the named author's list where ratings and/or comments may continue normally, if desired...

I believe this will allow the better pieces to emerge with at least a valid measure of credibility...

Any additional suggestions or ideas on this subject...???

Last edited by laydbak1 09-09-2009 at 06:04:38 PM

Re: Contest Is A Popularity Contest

Had to make a comment. You are absolutely right. I will never post my pic until I look like Marilyn Monroe. And I will never take this tooooooooooooo seriously or I might get gray hair and wrinkles.

Sally

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lol

are you saying that because you didn't win or do you really believe that?

because to me its no different than playing the lottery against a million people with a dollar and a dream ((smile))

perhaps the bigger the site gets they can have contest categories
and that will help....

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I've never won the lottery and can't because I haven't bought a ticket. Gambling isn't for me. I only write poetry. I try to find the decent poets on this site and there are many.

Sally

Last edited by wheelsal 07-09-2009 at 11:31:31 AM

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((smile))

this was my quote for the day:

“The real contest
is always between what you've done
and what you're capable of doing.
You measure yourself
against yourself
and nobody else.”

~Geoffrey Gaberino

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I agree with laydbak1 on this I also think his idea to correct it is a good one

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I wouldn't say it is bogus, but it most definitely a popularity contest. When I first posted (new to site) one of my published poems that won acclaim got a 7 average, and no, that isn't sour grapes, becuase I don't much base my worth on contests I win on the net. If you wish to get higher ratings.....comment on *alot* of poems, and you will get alot of reads. Just my opinion.

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Last edited by laydbak1 06-21-2009 at 04:37:47 PM

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Last edited by laydbak1 06-21-2009 at 04:57:07 PM

Re: Contest Is A Popularity Contest

put that way you are correct

I'm sorry if i came across as off beat

like i said maybe they should offer categories in the future
for the weekly contests or something....

i havent been on the site a hot month
and i haven't posted much or truly got passionate about contests
and other than my personal blog or on my myspace
I haven't really posted my thoughts online before either....

i can tell by your writing style that you have many more years experience writing than i do
for whatever its worth I've read your poetry and i love it!
i don't think i know that you are talented....

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On another note, and in thread there was comment about a rate ripper....no comments just low ratings.....this could be an attempt to lower everyone else's rate and win the contest for themself. Think about it.

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All great ideas but we write poetry because we love poetry. The rest is "frosting on the cake".
Still love cliches that work.

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Hello Everyone!

I had to post a comment to this forum. As you may already now, one of my pieces won the weekly contest. I truly had no idea of such until some of you began to send e-mails and comments were being left with congrats.

I have to be honest with you. I felt no different about "Butterfly" then I do about any of my poems. Everything I have ever written has emmited deeply from my heart, mind, unfortunate situations and fortunate situations. I have been writing for a long time. I have hundreds of written pieces that I cherish, that I love. Many reflect my battle with breast cancer, I needed to write to get throught and to get by!

As far as my poem being "better" than any other poem, I do not take credit for that, even if it it came with a fat check. The possibility of winning is about how many ratings you obtain and the average highest percentage. In other words, if people care to read and rate poems for those who are a part of the pool of pieces, within the "Contest Winners" tab on that week, and you score the highest, then guess what? You are a winner!

I do not agree, so much, with the popularity contest idea. I would rather call it "luck". Once again, I take no credit and no position for the best poem of the week. I just regret not buying a lottery ticket then!

I have to add that the turnover for receiving reading and ratings to your work is to do the same, read random pieces, not just your friends', but many, people will read and appreciate your work. Thank them when they do. As you post a thank you note to the comment left, you will appear in the "friends activity" tab and your friends will see that you commented on a certain poem, not knowing that is your own piece, and the turnover is greater for the day.

By doing so, you are informing the reader that you are alive and not vanished from the site. You let them know that you visit the site often and that you will get back to their work as a favor in return. If you don't comment on comments, then to the reader, you are DEAD! Therefore, no need to waste time.

My hope is that Original Poetry come up with a trusting method of rating, a fair and square method, that allows the poet to grow within the accomplishment. Until then, I will call it a " Luck Game!

P.S. I almost forgot..... do you guys think that my picture works though?? ha ha ha


I love you all for the passion that you display within this site! God bless you!

Until next time....

Erika Brown

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Erika,
I'm not being sarcastic when I say to you, I fucking love your attitude and point of view. You are a very positive person who will no doubt go far in life because you are so positive.....and between you and me girl your picture soooooo works!!!!!!!!!! lol you are an insperation to me and I'm sure to more than are even aware of.....keep up the good work.

Suzanna

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re: jademelissa74

your picture definitely comes through and working just fine ...

StandingBear

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My third time on site! will my popularity take flight? I am here for the beauty in prose. Not for those who stick up their nose. Judged according to deed. I vote an honest winner be freed. Don't like it, don't rate it. Squabbling must be abated.

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You guys are making me .... ha ha. Thank you dear fellow poets! You guys are all winners to me! JadedJezzabel for her unique and aggresive style...Standing Bear for his delicate ways, and I can go on and on! It is simply LUCK! That's all!

Smooch!!!!! Love ya!

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Friends,

I don't really know if it's a popularity contest. I imagine that if you have a large network of friends you might get more reads on your entries. That might not necessarily be a popularity contest, but it doesn't really speak to the quality of the work either. (Please, I don't mean to put anybody down or offend when I say that).

What I'd say is that the process needs more transparency. For example, how many poems have been submitted this week? Is there a list somewhere of the poems in the contest? If so, I'd certainly be interested in reading more of the entries and rating them.

What about a ranked list that shows who the front runners are? That way everybody could actually get to vote on the winners. Is that a good idea? I dont' really know. But it is an idea and perhaps deserves discussion.

But I would certainly agree with Laydbak1 on one thing (and this isn't just because he is a friend of mine). I think there is room for improvement in the current system. And I think transparency is a good thing in banking, in government, and I suppose in poetry contests as well!

gmcookie

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Friends,

One other comment... I left this out of my earlier posting. I agree with Laydback1 that an anonymous posting would be more fair than the current system.

But, please, can we at least see a list of the poems in the contest so we know what to read and rate?

Winning the poetry contest would be a nice validation, but only if I felt that I won based on the quality of my work and not necessarily on the support of my friends.

And I also agree that it isn't really all about the contest. The site is valuable to me because of the comments and feedback I read, not only on my own poems, but on other's poems as well.

I hope I haven't offended too many folks here.

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gmcookie;

i agree i think its a great idea
the best part about these forums is throw ideas out there
so they can make it better and of course fair

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All of these are great ideas! Ideas that we can all benefit from. I hope that our voices be heard!

God bless you all for caring!

Erika Brown

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Ok, I look at this site, as an awesome tool.
First of all, winning to me would be cool.
But that is not my intent, so I won't cry over spilt milk.
There is a lot of positive ways to look at it.
Like a football season, we are writing with heart I'm sure.
So do you think, this will be the last season or contest?
Not hardly, This is how I look at it.
I 've been here since Jan 1 2009.
I select 5 to 6 poems, and that's so hard to do
when you have nearly 800.
But When I select those, and come to this web site,
I pretend I' am on stage, playing my heart to millions of people.
Maybe like opening up for Ozzys' crowd, lol.
But each poem to me is like a song.
And when I share it with you all.
I want to to give you a good ass song, kick your ass
with poetry.
If I have it or I don't it's fine with me, but all I can say is,
it's a sweet oportunity, to get a fan base.
Keep contact with your fans, it can lead to better things.
And I'm sure originalpoetry.com will also grow, for all of our needs.
And also people know what's up, so enjoy your time here.
Help create a stage/platform so we all, all people, and poets
can enjoy them selves, and this website.
I hope you see my views, I just want to see you all enjoying the music of poetry.