Comments vs scoring vs Author's feelings

[AwkwardlySet]

The old battle of content versus quality...
That is for me, why as a reader you cannot rely on scores....
Some of the more popular stories in certain categories, are atrociously written. Cardboard characters, terrible plot that is totally mixed up, but. The story however included all the important key words and phrases that excites the kinks for the readers of that particular category... Equals high score, but shit story...
Content is irrelevant for me as a reader.....

Remember... I speak only for myself, but. I don't read to masturbate. I like a story to have believable characters, rich dialogue, and an interesting plot.... If there is some erotic element, then good, but I never seek that out... Eroticism over smut for me...
So, as a reader, I totally ignore the scores, I look first for trusted authors... Then if delving deeper, the title has to offer something...

When I first started writing here, I honestly thought scores represented the quality of writing. I almost chuckle when I think about it now, but it's probably not a stretch to say that many readers believe it is so.

 

[MillieDynamite]

If that were true—that it were a computation of writing quality —we'd need a committee of writing experts to determine the score and not general readership.

When I first started writing here, I honestly thought scores represented the quality of writing. I almost chuckle when I think about it now, but it's probably not a stretch to say that many readers believe it is so.

 

[Lifestyle66]

But the standard door is 30 inches wide. If we measure our door and find it to be 45 inches wide, we can then deduce compared to most other doors, that we have a wide door. ; )

Still, the measurement itself is a comparison. It is a measurement of space. We are comparing the position of the left edge of the door relative to the position of the right edge of the door in space, and using the difference to determine the width. The tape measure does not function without this logical principle inherent in the universe.

But does the door work well for it's intended position?

You have a 36 inch with front door on your house. Would a wider barn door be better?

 

[Cagivagurl]

When I first started writing here, I honestly thought scores represented the quality of writing. I almost chuckle when I think about it now, but it's probably not a stretch to say that many readers believe it is so.

Yes, the same for me...
Reading stories early on is how I discovered a good score doesn't equate to a good story...
I realise, all readers aren't looking for the same things I look for. No judgement... Simply the scoring system doesn't distinguish between content and quality.
Maybe a scoring system that says...

"Those reading this with their dick in their hand are gonna love it."
Or
"Those reading this drinking a hot cocoa, and toasted crumpet are gonna love it."

Cagivagurl

 

[pink_silk_glove]

but also because the median score on Lit is so close to 4.5

That is precisely what it is. When we crunch the numbers, the mean score on lit is roughly 4.4.

Now just to avoid any confusion ...

We may not be able to tell by the scores how well a story was written.

But we can tell how well a story scored.

For instance, I have a story at 3.06. If we compare that score to the number 3 (3 being the exact middle of the 1-5 range) we would conclude that the story scored average. However, that is grossly inaccurate. 3.06 is probably in the 5th percentile, maybe even lower. This is a horrible score. This is a vomit-inducing score. Get real. If we compare 3.06 to the mean (4.4), we now accurately see just how poor that score is.

This does not mean that my story was poorly written. Neither does it mean that my story was well written. But it does tell us with absolutely no ifs, ands nor buts, that it was very poorly received. Without a doubt, it scored very poorly.

This demonstrates, that if for whatever reason we feel the need to judge the reception of our stories, we must use an appropriate benchmark to judge (compare) against. The arbitrary number of 3 as an average is inaccurate, just as the arbitrary number of 4.5 (the Red H) as cream (good) is equally inaccurate. 4.5 is not good and certainly not cream. It is barely above average, in fact well within 1 standard deviation of mean, which is very very average.

But if we use the mean 4.4 as a benchmark for average, we can draw a far more accurate conclusion on whether our story scored well or poorly or in between.

 

[Lifestyle66]

But does the door work well for it's intended position?

You have a 36 inch wide front door on your house. Would a wider barn door be better?

 

[pink_silk_glove]

But does the door work well for it's intended position?

You have a 36 inch with front door on your house. Would a wider barn door be better?

I dunno. What are we using the door for?

 

[APilgrimSquare]

It’s not necessary for everybody to rate a story, just as it’s not necessary to know every individual view on an election candidate to make a reasonable assessment of how that candidate will fare. Obviously the better the sample size and the more representative the sample, the better the assessment can be made (and please no digressions into failed polls here - we all know polls are imperfect). If 100 people have voted on a story with 10000 views, that still gives us a lot of information.

Sure, but these aren't simple random samples. Certain people vote on certain stories for certain reasons. My point was only that the ratings themselves might denote all sorts of different things, and not to get too hung up on them. I agree there's probably a general correlation between rating and quality, if quality also incorporates some element of "adherence to the ideal standard of the category." People who attack categories from different angles might write something brilliant and find their work rejected by those who bother to rate, regardless of quality.

 

[Gamblnluck]

But what you're not understanding is for some people what you can't envision is the very kink they enjoy.

That's what's wrong with vast factions of the LW readership, they are the only readers on the site who simply refuse to believe these are just fictional stories and constantly act as if they're real and then get outraged over them.

They should put a disclaimer at the head of the category "No, amazing, virtuous and always good men were cheated on by any nasty evil women in real life, this is a work of fiction" to help sooth the butthurt of the professionally offended and terminally salty

The problem you don't understand is that many of these stories hit the reader at their core. They were cheated on.(in LW) Or taken for granted and then taken to the cleaners in court. If not, somebody they knew and were close to was. They put themselves into the position of the character. They feel the angst described. And they react. You may see it as a light story to be told like Peter Rabbit stealing carrots.
But even knowing it is fiction, the readers of some of these stories put themselves into the place of characters. In some cases that creates a vicarious thrill.In others a deep feeling.
Whether the reader admits it or not, they get invested. You scoff and don't understand which is why you might get a 2 as a score where another story you consider not as good gets a 4.
If you don't believe people get involved in what they read or see on television, just watch a bit of Big Brother. People watch that stuff, pick favorites, get involved in the show. It's not like a football game where they might yell at the referee for a play and then walk into the kitchen for a beer unconcerned the next.

 

[Lifestyle66]

I dunno. What are we using the door for?

Depends on the size of the people you're inviting into your house.

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Depends on the size of the people you're inviting into your house.

Then we would make our assessment based on the comparison of the width of the door to the width of those people. ; )

 

[AwkwardlySet]

If that were true—that it were a computation of writing quality —we'd need a committee of writing experts to determine the score and not general readership.

You dare to imply that our readers aren't experts? Preposterous!

 

[Actingup]

The problem you don't understand is that many of these stories hit the reader at their core. They were cheated on.(in LW) Or taken for granted and then taken to the cleaners in court. If not, somebody they knew and were close to was. They put themselves into the position of the character. They feel the angst described. And they react. You may see it as a light story to be told like Peter Rabbit stealing carrots.
But even knowing it is fiction, the readers of some of these stories put themselves into the place of characters. In some cases that creates a vicarious thrill.In others a deep feeling.
Whether the reader admits it or not, they get invested. You scoff and don't understand which is why you might get a 2 as a score where another story you consider not as good gets a 4.
If you don't believe people get involved in what they read or see on television, just watch a bit of Big Brother. People watch that stuff, pick favorites, get involved in the show. It's not like a football game where they might yell at the referee for a play and then walk into the kitchen for a beer unconcerned the next.

I think that this is an important point, particularly for LW. We may see a story as a playful fantasy, wheras the reader might see it as a retelling of their life, hoping for a better or more savage ending.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

How many authors here read the stories of others, rate them and leave comments?

If it's so important to you, do you spend the time and effort returning the favor to others?

I don't read a lot on here, I usually will if I wanna get off on written word, which is rare. I do vote and comment.

 

[M_K_Babalon]

Actually, your stories are an exception to my low score I doubmethod. I at least read over them. I cannot stand a cuck simply accepting his wife kicking him in the nuts and screwing around on him while he kneels at home, happy his wife is getting some sex and he waits, ready to lick her clean upon her return. i have trouble envisioning ANY man doing that. I can't envision anybody in a close relationship accepting that, male or female.. I might accept a mutual open lifestyle. as something interesting, but even then, I cannot see a long term marriage. That is 2 roommates sharing a domicile while their intimacies lie elsewhere.

Well... it happens. I've been there. We all have our reject reality moments, though.

 

[TwistedManc]

If I have a story under 4 star I take that to mean the writing or the plot wasn't very good.

the comments, well any constructive ones I think I like the most because it helps. Any that are along the lines of "I hate you and everything you do" I just delete and never think of again.

You know what I don't very often look at the number of favourited on my stories, I really should look at that more.

I think the score and the number of views is what I consider most important

But that's just me

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

I think the score and the number of views is what I consider most important

But that's just me

Number of Views is almost completely irrelevant for most things.

 

[TwistedManc]

Number of Views is almost completely irrelevant for most things.

I disagree, depending on the category of course. I know if I write an incest story it'll get a lot more views and if I write a Sci fi story it'll get a lot less

But keeping in mind where, in my head, I want the views to be. I can sort of guess if people are coming back to read this story more than once

 

[AlexBailey]

Apple? Orange? Banana?

How do they compare? Which is factually the best fruit?

Personally if I could have an endless free supply of only one fruit I’d either choose tomatoes or possibly avocados .

Which is the best choice?

 

[Nynah]

Number of Views is almost completely irrelevant for most things.

Everyone has different metrics by which they judge their own success or measure what they want to get out of publishing on Literotica. Views can be seen as one of them, given that there's a whole page with lists dedicated to it that you can get to from the front page. And I'd argue that most authors here would like more eyes on their work, so number of views is likely one of the most relevant metrics for folks who use this site.

But that's just conjecture on my part, I don't presume to know what is important to people (unless they explicitly state it, as TwistedManc just did).

 

[SimonDoom]

Number of Views is almost completely irrelevant for most things.

I don't agree with that. It correlates positivesly with almost everything else, other than high scores. A story with more views is likely to have more votes, more comments, and more favorites. It means more people are reading my stories. I'm more likely to get followers, and that in turn will give me more views the next time I publish a story.

 

[AlexBailey]

Apple? Orange? Banana?

How do they compare? Which is factually the best fruit?

Personally if I could have an endless free supply of only one fruit I’d either choose tomatoes or possibly avocados .

Which is the best choice?

Oh shit! I forgot about mangoes! That’s probably my favorite, unless I’m thinking about pie. But if I’m looking for a good pie, rhubarb is my first choice.

I once read the orange is the most popular favorite flavor in the world - is it pandering to the masses to choose oranges?

Please help me analyze this!

Since it’s all about comparison there has to be a right answer to which is best. No?

 

[iwatchus]

Wheee views does not correlate to favorites or comments, beyond the category factor, that is interesting on its own. There was a whole thread earlier about the ratios with views as the denominator

 

[Gamblnluck]

If everything were the same length, the concepts of long and short would not exist. If every door were exactly 30 inches wide, we would not measure them. There would be no point. But doors around the world are different, so we compare them. Most are the same size, but many are different, very different, so we compare them to define them.

Measuring a door, like testing the temperature is not a comparison. It may have a practical reason. Nobody says, "I prefer 32 inch doors to 30 inch ones". They may need a wider door for a wheelchair though.
Measuring or scoring a form of media takes on a different reason. It tells others how much you liked it, how comfortable you felt (or uncomfortable if it is a horror movie) but enjoyment is subjective.
If I find a listing of a movie that nobody likes, I am likely to pass on it myself. The same with a story here. I'm not going to read a poorly rated story. That tells me enough people did not like it that chances are, I won't either. The problem is the false HIGH scores.
Giving everybody a 4 just because the they finished a story and posted it, is like giving out participation awards. Yeah, a kid feels good about getting one, but if that is the ONLY award given, why bother.
What do you think about grades in school? Give everybody an A for showing up?

Somebody mentioned abnormally high scores. In some ways that might be justified. Where I went to college (way back when, in Colorado) most of my classes graded on simple performance, NOT a bell curve. When I entered graduate school, we had a group of students who came from Cornell in NY where everything was on a bell curve. Only a percentage would get A's B's etc.
They were amazed how students in Colorado worked together and shared notes. They said at Cornell, nobody would share notes except to a close friend as you wanted the other student to do worse than you.

 

[Gamblnluck]

That is for me, why as a reader you cannot rely on scores....
Some of the more popular stories in certain categories, are atrociously written. Cardboard characters, terrible plot that is totally mixed up, but. The story however included all the important key words and phrases that excites the kinks for the readers of that particular category... Equals high score, but shit story...
Content is irrelevant for me as a reader.....

Yes, and that is why scoring is category specific. Poor stories don't do near as well in LW. You might still get a decent vote (not good but decent), but you will sure as hell hear about your cartoon characters, plot holes or even absurd reactions in the comments.

Which is why you are generally successful in that category and others here wail and cry about the 'insecure trolls' who hated their story.
Now lately, that trend is changing a little. There are so many poor stories where all the characters are unlikable, when you find one you enjoy, it tends to get rated a little higher.