Idols and Twisted Gnostic Secrets

[aggienaut]

   Most recent LJ Idol poll is up. With 28 people remaining, its easy to read them all. I encourage doing so. And voting! (=

[Poll #1348977]

   I stared deep into the dark coils of lj, to understand its arcane inner magic, and lo, I was rewarded with gnostic secrets. Anyone can post any poll. I'm not a hacker, there is no secret. I simply questioned what I couldn't do and was rewarded.
   And I found this pleasing -- that specifically the kind of behaviour I thought most commendable (questioning your surroundings) yielded a reward of some usefulness. Personally I think the advantage gained by being able to post the poll in your entry was more deserved to those who found it and more proportional to the merits of earning it than nearly all the random "rewards" and "Special powers" that have been purposefully bandied about in this competition. In short, it made me feel like at least something was right in the world.
   However, all good things must come to an end. All too often good technology is eventually twisted, and this has happened.
   Gary became concerned and asked how it is done, and the knowledge was passed on to him. I hoped he would have the good sense to keep it under wraps, or at least would tell everyone about it all at once. Unfortunately however, he simply told two idolists, spydielives and kittenboo.
   It is no longer a slight advantage to those who have thought to question and investigate their surroundings on their own, it is now an advantage to those who asked Gary how to get advantages. That literally makes me feel sick, and I'll feel filthy until I rectify it.
   From here I'm quite clear that it will continue to spread, and until someone posts about it publicly the people who have gained the knowledge by asking others will do it under the table. Already today I'm seeing strange vote spikes NOT accompanied by a visible entry, that ARE accompanied by "last post: four hours ago," a spot I can't see an entry anywhere near.

   And so, I am levelling the playing field. I am telling each and every one of you that yes, you can post the poll. The method is shockingly, mind-blowingly simple, all you have to do is try. That or ask Gary.


PS: I thought I'd brighten your days with a visual representation of the poll standings. Please stand by, hopefully I'll have some charts converted to a postable size and form within an hour or two.

Comments

Re: FWIW

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

I think that implication is a bit of a jump. I'm just saying that if as a matter of policy Gary is going to tell people who ask, then the advantage goes now not to "those who discovered" but "those who asked Gary", in a general sense. It wouldn't be coherent for me to be casting implications that Spydie posted the poll because I don't believe posting the poll is condemnable.

Re: FWIW

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

Enough. I said it was poorly worded. Clearly you disagree... while others agree with me. You don't want to water it down with clarifications.

No problem.

You also don't state in your POST that you condone this activity, only in the comments. The whole tone of your post is about exposing the lurid underbelly of LJI.

I hope that you reap the rewards you sought.

Re: FWIW

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

In my post I thought I was pretty clear that I had a very positive opinion of the activity, using phrases like "In short, it made me feel like at least something was right in the world."

The rewards I sought? Snarky much. The reward I sought was the publication of how to post the poll. I've been doubly rewarded by people hopefully reading this and putting it together, or at least learning how to do it from the green room. So yes, I feel rewarded, thanks.

Re: FWIW

[spydielives.livejournal.com]

I was actually thinking your poll numbers... you made a huge leap in the last couple of hours.

Re: FWIW

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Ah. Addressed in the greenroom.

Re: FWIW

[brightflashes.livejournal.com]

only commenting again for emphasis. I read your entry wrong and it ended up in me being angry with the wrong party. Interpret that how you will. I'm not angry now at anyone, but I don't want to talk about it.

So, the implication, while a jump, was one that I read.

Re: FWIW

[crucibelle.livejournal.com]

I shouldn't have come in here fanning the drama flame, anyways... I'm not even a part of lji, really. All I was doing was trying to explain how "I" perceived your post. Apparently my perception was off (wouldn't be the first time). In any case, I apologize for coming in to your journal, which I should have refrained from doing. I wish you much luck with the remainder of the ljidol competition. =)

Re: FWIW

[emo-snal.livejournal.com]

Its quite alright, I always welcome anyone to join into any discussion going on here! (Provided of course they're not being a socially maladjusted troll of course). I appreciate your participation.