9 replies
Hi Murray,
I'm not sure what you mean by "gaslighting" your reviews.
Can you explain further?
MW
When I am getting 8 or 9 thumbs down on a review I've just posted, I have to wonder who is gaslighting my reviews you see. I really don't know what other term to use for someone wanting to wreck your reviewer's opinions. Do you like the word "gaslight", by the Chicks? (Aka Dixie Chicks) I thought that was a pretty good adjective myself you see, my friend. Cheers, hope we can find the culprit. Thanks!
Ah. I see.
Well this is one of the interesting things about the pop world these days.
Certain artists (particularly pop and KPop acts) have very... active fanbases. Their favorite act is the best in the world and unless you are 100% fawning over them and everything they do, then you are their sworn enemy. We see it all the time on AllMusic. When we post a 4-star review of a Taylor Swift album, we receive thinly-veiled death threats on social media.
What you may be experiencing is this fanbase rallying around their favorite artists and individually downgrading your reviews if they perceive any kind of slight.
The other thing we see occasionally is that users may find a review to be less helpful or not a review of the music itself, they may give it a downgrade.
The text next to the thumbs up and thumbs down say "Was this review helpful to you?" and if the user review is not a description of the music itself or feels less like a critical analysis of the music, they may choose to mark it as not as helpful as other user reviews.
We encourage our users to focus on the music contained within the album, and we've seen people choose to downvote a review if it does help them to learn more about the album in question.
Either way, I wouldn't put too much emphasis on how other folks are interacting with your reviews. They may have their own agenda, or feel like they're playing a kind of a game to (somehow) help their favorite artists. We at AllMusic appreciate your reviews. You're one of our most prolific contributors. Thanks for your efforts.
MW
Thank you for your sincerity, as I take things too personally sometimes, and get hurt easily that way. I do volunteer work with a program at the Univ of Nevada on dementia care. Our "Nest Collaborative" helps those with disabilities and handicaps, or even Alzheimer's, get the medical care and attention they need. I've suffered much with many medical issues regarding the cardiology operations I've received lately and have a stellar background in Health Amin and Emergency Medical, to help these poor souls achieve their goals and happiness too. I try to show people to think constructively and by being positive, change isn't really all that hard. Thank you for helping me help this site become better at getting people to work together for common goals. Let me know of anything I can do to make my reviews more informative and productive. Cheers! Murf
Taking a look at these recent reviews, I wonder if people are seeing that these few are mostly biographical information repeated across multiple albums, as opposed to a critical analysis of what the music makes you think or feel.
They might not see these as being as helpful as they would feel about a heartfelt text describing how you feel about the music itself.
MW
I suppose no one really wants to call me. I would like to speak to anyone who is in charge. 702-331-9527 . I have clearly stated that I'm being abused and used. Is it because I'm gay, old or just too assertive? I'm really not a bad guy, if anyone cared. Judging by the mood in the States lately, I suppose this is the new normal (as in the Drive By Truckers "The New OK, The Unraveling"). Maybe we should talk to Neil Young on "Hitchhiker", as in "Even Richard Nixon has Soul". Maybe I'm a bit "old school" but I still believe in "Peace, Love and Understanding". If your IT people can't figure out how to make your site more democratic and all encompassing, we are ALL lost you see. I can leave altogether if you'd rather... Just let me know. Sincerely, Murray Winship aka "Murf"
Zac
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Hi Murf.
We emailed you.
Please take a look at your email for further updates.
MW
Thanks you Zac for addressing the future of gas lighting on allmusic.com amongst its contributing reviewers and members. You've inspired me to become a full fledged member! (hope that doesn't scare you, lol). Pax and cheers, Murf
MW
ZAC, I'd erroneously assumed that the gaslighting epidemic had ended, which leaves me with two new questions. Perusing my reviews, someone (perhaps internally) keeps me one thumb down on my reviews at all times. (I don't normally post a "thumbs up" on my own reviews unless a deliberate attack occurs you see). I do this only to equalize this little terrorist at his (her) own immature game, Second, I wonder if the culprit is someone (perhaps internally) that is out to damage AllMusic.com and its members irrevocably. Peace out, please call me or write me personally as I'm not sure how to beat this child at its own game you see. (I would rather keep this between us than publish them publicly for obvious reasons). Thanks for your concern my friend, Murf 702-331-9527
Zac
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Hi Murf.
I'll send you an email.
MW
Please take a look at Mitski's latest album (notice the gaslighting flame war attack and follow it all the way through. Someone (perhaps internally) keeps me underwater. That review has NOTHING negative in it, and is actually quite positive and upbeat. What do you think? If this goes unnoticed by your IT people, your reviewers aren't safe and your site will get hurt. Possibly someone who knows your coding (perhaps internally) is out to destroy your site and job eventually. I am so sorry I didn't get your email; would you be so kind as to resend? Thanks Zac, you're a trooper. Have a lovely week and take care. Pax, Murf
Zac
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Nobody internally is downvoting your reviews.
This is not going unnoticed by our IT people.
Sent the email again. Please check you spam folder.
The title of the email is "[General Site Feedback] The gaslighting continues uninhibited,,,"
MW
Thanks ZAC, you're a trooper, and I can clearly see that you really don't have control over bullies on your site. My suggestion is that the IT people see to that an individual can not make more than one response per review. I noticed many default anomalies myself when I first began. Good luck with weeding out your gaslighters, trolls and bullies, as they seem to abound lately. Also, (not to make anyone paranoid), maybe its a conspiracy theory after all?, lol I truly cherish Allmusic.com and frequently mention that in my reviews, as I believe that to be truthful, and am appreciative of your posts every Friday. It gives me a shortcut to find out all those great albums that you and Pitchfork.com present me with. (Yes, I communicate with other music sites often too). This is a hobby of mine, as I do volunteer work with the University of GA, FL and Nevada on dementia care to help the helpless, help themselves keep it real. Peace out, Murf
MW
Check the latest Cola review, as the obvious fictitious culprit is brian keith, (what's with the small letters in his name also?) Ten up and ten down on the same day? That is not quite believable IMHO. Please let your IT dept know what's up, thanks! Yours, Murf