There’s some misinformation floating around regarding Lemmy not having a karma system. While many have discovered otherwise, this is for those who may not have.
While it’s not exposed in the Lemmy default user interface, Lemmy does have a fully functional karma system and it is visible in third party clients such as WefWef and Memmy.
Do with that what you will.
So no free and open discussion then? Only approved group think will be allowed?
I understand the benifits of what you are asking, but those are the very things that lead Reddit to what it is now.
How does requiring a minimum account age cause group think?
It was more of a response to the minimum account karma.
Account age is reasonable enough, after the service has grown a bit more.
However, if people start getting banned for the wrong reasons and have to create new accounts to be able to have discussion. It does create a barrier for that discussion to take place.
What would be good or bad reasons?
It is seriously difficult to have negative account karma on reddit unless you are an outright troll.
Requiring basic levels of karma or age is not “group think.”
requiring basic levels of karma most certainly is. You have to say the right things first to get the group approval before you can contribute.
Again, I disagree. You can say the “right things,” certainly, or you can say “neutral things.” Really anything short of overt hostility would be acceptable.
I think that is too idealistic. It could very easily go into a downward spiral that a community could never get out of. It happens already on several subreddits already. You may not have experienced it, but I can say it for certain happens. There have even been scifi series written about it that have taken the concept to the extreme.
I’m familiar with some of the subreddits, but I believe you’re taking the spiral too steeply and too quickly.
The “don’t be a dick” philosophy will get you more than enough karma to comment on whatever subreddit you want to participate in, outside of some super niche ones.
If you have controversial opinions just post them on controversial subs as well. A large part of “the right things” depends on the “right community”
That is entirely correct.
But not ‘being a dick’ is far too subjective in a global village… The world does not beat to one drum.
I have to stand on eggshells with my language around USamericans as an example.
While I hear what you’re saying, it’s really not as complicated as you’re making it out to be.
I really don’t think you do, you are being incredibly closed minded and sticking your head in the sand. Because it has no* effect on you (yet).
Sorry, what? That’s the opposite of my point. I think most subs benefit from outright trolling and off topic nonsense being prohibited, but my issue is that downvotes promote group think, and on a discussion sub, you should be able to limit or remove them.