What's up with Karma trains?

[TheGodthatYouFear]

Now is it just me, or does a "Karma Train" rather defeat the purpose of being able to give
and take away Karma? I mean really, what good does my Karma do, if say I have 25
friends, and everyday, we poke eachother?

Not saying that I'm against them, to each their own. I just don't understand the point.
Seems rather selfish to me. :fpatricks

[~Anamorata~]

It's just for fun.... :rotfl:

[Shanti]

I know one thing...they come in handy during times of boredom!! :)

[Karma Chameleon]

Now is it just me, or does a "Karma Train" rather defeat the purpose of being able to give
and take away Karma? I mean really, what good does my Karma do, if say I have 25
friends, and everyday, we poke eachother?

Not saying that I'm against them, to each their own. I just don't understand the point.
Seems rather selfish to me. :fpatricks


Well some people who haven't been on for awhile go there to get a karma boost so that they can catch up. Most people post on there to boost not just their karma power but also their post count. Some people post on there because they are trying to unload karma because they want to poke someone who has made a good post but they need to spread karma around first. Some people are competing against one another to see who can get the most karma points. There's lots of reasons people post on Karma threads. But if you noticed, since the amount of karma touches has gone up the number of people posting on free karma threads has dropped quite a bit.

[Ninjakitten]

Well, you cooooouuuld start the "anti-Karma train" and see how that goes...

[Karma Chameleon]

Well, you cooooouuuld start the "anti-Karma train" and see how that goes...

I think there already is a Red Karma Train, I guess that could be considered an "anti-Karma Train" of sorts. :whatmewor

[Eijse]

Does anyone want to establish a Red Karma Cult? I have one of the highest karma counts there is, but I'd be willing to obliterate it just for fun!

[TheGodthatYouFear]

Well, you cooooouuuld start the "anti-Karma train" and see how that goes...
Okay, I'm gonna be honest, cause I don't know if your trying to be funny, or trying to be
a jack.... At any rate, since I don't like to assume things. My simple point is that, I thought
Karma was to go to those who really deserve it. If you want to be poke happy and give
lots of Karma, then so be it, it just seems to me that it's an easy way to look good.

Remember, I'm not pointing fingures, just sharing a perspective.

[~Anamorata~]

It's called fun...try it :D

[TheGodthatYouFear]

It's called fun...try it :D
Not to be rude, but no thanks. I'll keep my low score and be proud to know
that I earned it out of respect.

[Eijse]

It's all blobs on a screen. You can't redeem virtual karma for teddy bears, kittens or cash.

[Karma Chameleon]

Okay, I'm gonna be honest, cause I don't know if your trying to be funny, or trying to be
a jack.... At any rate, since I don't like to assume things. My simple point is that, I thought
Karma was to go to those who really deserve it. If you want to be poke happy and give
lots of Karma, then so be it, it just seems to me that it's an easy way to look good.

Remember, I'm not pointing fingures, just sharing a perspective.


Well I do give karma to people who I think really deserve it, but I also give karma to people in karma threads because sometimes a person will make two or more really good posts in a day and I want to give them good karma for it. I have to spread the karma around before I can poke the person again. Karma threads are an easy way to unload excess karma, plus as was pointed out eariler, they are fun.

Also, I did not get all my karma that I have from posting in the karma trains. A lot of my karma I have gotten for other posts where people thought I had made a good point.

[TheGodthatYouFear]

It's all blobs on a screen. You can't redeem virtual karma for teddy bears, kittens or cash.
This is where I just have to say that yes you are right, but I can earn respect.

And with that is where I bow my head and gracefully back out of this disscussion.

[~Anamorata~]

Not to be rude, but no thanks. I'll keep my low score and be proud to know
that I earned it out of respect.

Actually, yours is pretty high...

[Karma Chameleon]

Actually, yours is pretty high...

That's right, for the amount of posts, that is a pretty high level of karma power.

[Ninjakitten]

Actually, in my case, I usually don't do karma trains myself (but I was kind of being silly before... and got karma for it!). I like to give karma when people make me smile, laugh, make a good point, bless other people, and other worthy things. I don't tend to give karma lightly, even if more often than not it's because someone lightened my day by making me laugh, which for someone with Severe Depression is hard to do at times.

I can see where you are coming from. There is the rare occasion where I will return karma to some special person, or I will poke a new person to welcome them, but most of the time, with me, it really is earned.

For the record (though I think I'm going to jinx myself by saying this), I have never recieved any negative karma. I usually recieve karma for the very reasons I give it, and I have only given negative karma once, and that was to someone who not only spammed the site, but spammed it trying to push cheap cigarettes, which I consider cigarettes (not smokers, but the cigarettes and the smoke) to be an evil plague that's only legal because the government makes too much money to make it illegal. Ie... an extreme case, and not because I simply disagree with someone.

[Shanti]

If he started a no karma thread that would be a way to get karma that he just said he thinks isnt right for him. So I can see him not wanting to do that.
And I only poked him 2 times and he only poked me once!

[TheGodthatYouFear]

That's right, for the amount of posts, that is a pretty high level of karma power.
Thanks for noticing.

[Eijse]

This is where I just have to say that yes you are right, but I can earn respect.

And with that is where I bow my head and gracefully back out of this disscussion.

Virtual karma shouldn't be about self-worth. Each of us knows within ourselves if we are a good person and worthy of respect - we don't need blobs on a screen on the internet to know that. Or at least I would hope not!

[Eijse]

If he started a no karma thread that would be a way to get karma that he just said he thinks isnt right for him. So I can see him not wanting to do that.
And I only poked him 2 times and he only poked me once!

I just started taking an eye-for-an eye approach to karma. If I get poked, I poke back. If I don't get poked, I don't give anything out.

[Xentor]

Now is it just me, or does a "Karma Train" rather defeat the purpose of being able to give
and take away Karma? I mean really, what good does my Karma do, if say I have 25
friends, and everyday, we poke eachother?

Not saying that I'm against them, to each their own. I just don't understand the point.
Seems rather selfish to me. :fpatricks

Hmm, let's see. You signed up this August, you have 72 posts.

Who are you?

[Earthy]

I used to post on the karma trains, but haven't in quite a while now.
I tend to give karma out to people who have touched me, made me smile, or to those who are going through a hard time and need an extra hug.

[Cassie]

I'm a karmaholic and I admit to being on the karma trains quite often. It's just a bit of fun and I don't think people take it too seriously.
Spreading karma around is a good way of cheering people up and giving a them a token boost of spirits.
What's more important are the karma comments. They are a convienient way of showing approval or support (or the reverse). On the rare occations I say something worth-while it's good to see a few positive comments. Thats where the real karma flows.

[Mindflayer]

I don't think I've ever done the "karma train" thing (maybe once?).

Most of my karma comes from people who like my posts, I've gotten some red karma too, twice from people having a hissy fit, and once from somebody who didn't understand the point of the post I made.

So all in all, I'd say I'm doing pretty good. I mean i haven't been banned yet, or really gotten a warning that I can think of. (I wonder if there's a section for mod notes somewhere... I wanna read mine! :D)

[misty]

I have a really quick and easy solution to your not approving of the karma train threads.....

....are you ready for it?












Ignore them! :D

:hugz:

[Shanti]

I have a really quick and easy solution to your not approving of the karma train threads.....

....are you ready for it?
Ignore them! :D

:hugz:
He didnt say he was not in approval of them...

Not saying that I'm against them, to each their own. I just don't understand the point.
People seem to get so defensive over such minute things!!:geez:

[Rowan MoonDragon]

Personally, I think the karma points are fun and I have done the karma trains. I honestly think you are taking them a little too seriously. They are not that big of a deal. I dont weigh my worth on how many karma points I have. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate getting them and I do give them, but thinking they should be based on only how you are is just a little too serious for me. We are not on this earth for long so we may as well have fun while we are here. There alot more serious things to be concerned about, IMO. *shrug*

[PropheticMonkey]

I always thought your karma represented how you act and what you say towards other people. It should be deserved and not just given for the sake of raisiing a number.

[starfire]

i know for me, I enjoy when I get points for things I have said that means something to someone else, even if it is silly or serious. With having so many points available, it is impossible to give them all out. It takes me so long to read things that the original 10 was hard with the limited time i spend on the computer.

The Karma trains make it easier to give away, and they are more of a fun thing, people making other people happy. I guess that is part of the reason for having them too.

[Faeawyn]

I appreciate getting karma if its for something that I said or did that someone appreciates....THAT makes me feel good. But silly karma pokes done randomly for no real reason don't make me feel one way or the other. I'd rather people wait and poke me when I say something meaningful :whatgives: It makes me feel respected and appreciated..and thats really cool.

[PropheticMonkey]

Speaking of which, i'm just curious does anyone take away karma from anyone ever? I mean on most of the posts everyone is respectful and courteous to eachother with regards to their opinions and such, I for one have never had any need to reprimand someone like that

[DianaStormDancer]

It about the hugs, love, support, encouragement, and fun for me! :woot:

[DianaStormDancer]

Speaking of which, i'm just curious does anyone take away karma from anyone ever? I mean on most of the posts everyone is respectful and courteous to eachother with regards to their opinions and such, I for one have never had any need to reprimand someone like that

I have never in my memory ever taken anyones karma. I figure bad karma comes around quick enough on its own to those who foster evil and negativity and i strive to be about compassion and tolerance. So even if someone has flamed, attacked or filleted me I dont take thier karma.

[Shanti]

Ok I am breaking a rule I and my son had set!!
Thegodthatyoufear is my son. Sorry dude!!

I told him before he came on MW what Karma pokes were.
I said they where for showing someone you agreed or liked what they said. I also said red was if you didnt like something someone said.
Now he comes on here and sees a contradiction to what I told him. The trains have nothing to do with my definition of karma.
He honestly doesnt give a hoot who does what. He thought, thanks to me, that karma had a purpose.

So beat me up instead for mis-informing him!!!!!

Plus some people have given me karma in defense of the karma trains and are calling my son some nasty names...if you want to look at childish behavior..thats the core of it!
Name calling behind the back and taking this so dam seriously...good grief!! He didnt bash anyone he just said he didnt like the trains..so what!!
He was mis-informed and now you know why!!!

I must say this whole mess sure showed the maturity in some people! Maybe this should be in political pagan!

And please dont poke me to be childish and call names!
Unless your calling ME the names!! Then feel free!!!
I consider name calling behind someones back to be very childish indeed especially over something as trivial as this thread!
Oh and I thought Karma had a purpose once too until after being here a long time, I have learned otherwise. He's been here like week or so!

[starfire]

Ok I am breaking a rule I and my son had set!!
Thegodthatyoufear is my son. Sorry dude!!

I told him before he came on MW what Karma pokes were.
I said they where for showing someone you agreed or liked what they said. I also said red was if you didnt like something someone said.
Now he comes on here and sees a contradiction to what I told him. The trains have nothing to do with my definition of karma.
He honestly doesnt give a hoot who does what. He thought, thanks to me, that karma had a purpose.

So beat me up instead for mis-informing him!!!!!

Plus some people have given me karma in defense of the karma trains and are calling my son some nasty names...if you want to look at childish behavior..thats the core of it!
Name calling behind the back and taking this so dam seriously...good grief!! He didnt bash anyone he just said he didnt like the trains..so what!!
He was mis-informed and now you know why!!!

I must say this whole mess sure showed the maturity in some people! Maybe this should be in political pagan!

And please dont poke me to be childish and call names!
Unless your calling ME the names!! Then feel free!!!
I consider name calling behind someones back to be very childish indeed especially over something as trivial as this thread!
Oh and I thought Karma had a purpose once too until after being here a long time, I have learned otherwise. He's been here like week or so!


Are you saying people are doing name calling and things in private to him? I didn't see anything in this thread indicating that, so that really conserns me and should perhaps be reported to the monitor.

I too understand that giving or recieving Karma is for the reason you described, and it means a lot to me to get true points for comments and such that I have said. If your son is the one that started this thread, I gave him points for asking a good question, it in no way was a negative thing. I think people should and have the right to ask questions, how else will the know?

Some people do get carried away in their comments, but if it has gone to being rude and impolite, then they are going against the rules and should be reported. I haven't been really active myself until the last couple of months and while I have seen things get heated I haven't seen this happen, so my appologies to your son. Even though I did not do anything against him, he should know that not everyone is like that.

It is a shame that you had to write this comment in the first place in his defense, that should have never happend, my appologies to you too.

[Shanti]

Are you saying people are doing name calling and things in private to him? I didn't see anything in this thread indicating that, so that really conserns me and should perhaps be reported to the monitor.

I too understand that giving or recieving Karma is for the reason you described, and it means a lot to me to get true points for comments and such that I have said. If your son is the one that started this thread, I gave him points for asking a good question, it in no way was a negative thing. I think people should and have the right to ask questions, how else will the know?

Some people do get carried away in their comments, but if it has gone to being rude and impolite, then they are going against the rules and should be reported. I haven't been really active myself until the last couple of months and while I have seen things get heated I haven't seen this happen, so my appologies to your son. Even though I did not do anything against him, he should know that not everyone is like that.

It is a shame that you had to write this comment in the first place in his defense, that should have never happend, my appologies to you too.

Thank you for your kind words.
I am not big on reporting.
And name calling was done in my karma..like this is for "&&$%^$^" and it points to thegodthatyoufear, it was all good karma but with some childish behavior.
And yes its my son that started the thread. And I too thought that he handled the observation of Karma and his curiosity of the matter with out being disrespectful. He did state his feeling about it all but pointed it at himself and no one or nothing else. He even said he had nothing against the trains. But some people only read what they want. They dont read it all. Then they re-act..foolishly I think.

[WokeUpDead]

Everybody loves karma.

[Dusk]

Most people receive the benefit of karma trains indirectly by getting poked by people who do participate in them.

[Mistress_Ravenshadow]

with all the negative things we see going on around us i think its something that lightens the mood of things.. karmic tag.. its just for fun.. often times when i have had a bad day and i come on here, finding a random karma poke or karma train poke cheers me up.. I have become a pokeaholic and I know I'm not alone *WEG* MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA ..ahem *cough cough* ok i'm done... back to the subject at hand...
if a post/thread is moving etc you can let the person know by leaving a message for them so that they know it touched you.. and if you didn't like the post you can also let them know..
as for me i'm going to go karma lurking, poking people when they least expect it...
everyone beware.. karma stalker on the loose MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[misty]

Ok I am breaking a rule I and my son had set!!
Thegodthatyoufear is my son. Sorry dude!!

I told him before he came on MW what Karma pokes were.
I said they where for showing someone you agreed or liked what they said. I also said red was if you didnt like something someone said.
Now he comes on here and sees a contradiction to what I told him. The trains have nothing to do with my definition of karma.
He honestly doesnt give a hoot who does what. He thought, thanks to me, that karma had a purpose.

So beat me up instead for mis-informing him!!!!!

Plus some people have given me karma in defense of the karma trains and are calling my son some nasty names...if you want to look at childish behavior..thats the core of it!
Name calling behind the back and taking this so dam seriously...good grief!! He didnt bash anyone he just said he didnt like the trains..so what!!
He was mis-informed and now you know why!!!

I must say this whole mess sure showed the maturity in some people! Maybe this should be in political pagan!

And please dont poke me to be childish and call names!
Unless your calling ME the names!! Then feel free!!!
I consider name calling behind someones back to be very childish indeed especially over something as trivial as this thread!
Oh and I thought Karma had a purpose once too until after being here a long time, I have learned otherwise. He's been here like week or so!


I am very sorry that there has been name calling and such. I can honestly say that I meant no disrespect with my post in this thread....just being silly and in my own way, saying "lighten up." Perhaps it didn't come across that way (even with the hug at the end, lol). I aplogize to you and your son. I guess I don't take the karma system here all that seriously, as it isn't real life...if someone doesn't like my post or what I have to say and I get negative karma pokes, oh well...it doesn't ruin my day.

[Shanti]

I am very sorry that there has been name calling and such. I can honestly say that I meant no disrespect with my post in this thread....just being silly and in my own way, saying "lighten up." Perhaps it didn't come across that way (even with the hug at the end, lol). I aplogize to you and your son. I guess I don't take the karma system here all that seriously, as it isn't real life...if someone doesn't like my post or what I have to say and I get negative karma pokes, oh well...it doesn't ruin my day.

Oh no hon. Thank you and you did not disrespect.
No worry.
I have gotten red karma too, not from this stuff, but at other times, thats no big deal. I dont care if someone wants to say something not nice to me or poke me red. But they shouldnt be saying nasty things to me about someone else when its such a trivial thing that didnt warrent that type of behavior.

[Xentor]

The name calling and negative reactions show that some people take the idea of karma points far more seriously than they themselves like to admit.

Shanti, please keep in mind that the MW respect rule should be applied to karma pokes and PMs as well. If any MW member abuses you or your son by means of the MW board, please report it to any admin. If you don't report it, we don't know it exists and thus we can't take action.