Reality Check - Ratings · 4:18pm Jul 1st, 2016
I had not planned on posting a blog today, but there is something I need to get off my chest.
How many of you have down-voted a story before actually reading any of it? If you have, please kindly continue reading this blog at least; and if you haven't feel free to do so as well.
This is my beef: I want to know why a story is receiving down-votes. If someone does not like a story, then tell the author what they can do to improve it. Even if you do not believe the story can be improved, at least mention what you have against it. It should be a requirement to leave a comment along with a down-vote. There is a lot of time and effort (with most stories) to create the worlds and characters with which they take place. Do the author a favor and give them their due feedback. We are supposed to be a friendly and supportive community, and your support towards any story should be common sense. By support, I do not mean it has to be positive; but at least leave a critique for Celestia's sake people.
If you cannot leave a critique, because you have not read even a bit of the story, then your opinion is null. Unfortunately, that does not mean it won't hurt. All I ask of you, is to have a conscious. Think before you vote, and have a solid reason for doing so. Not just for me, but for every author out there. Thank you.
Sincerely, a very irritated,
FeatherB
I've done it for a few stories, primarily ones that give away key story parts in the description/horrible grammar or spelling or just sound downright awful (namely human-self in Equestria fics, those are the absolute worst).
Though I do agree with the requirement to leave a comment in order to leave a dislike. Many of my own have received dislikes without any reasoning behind it.