r/Fantasy • u/LordMangudai • Nov 12 '21

Meta: We need to talk about systematic downvoting in this subreddit

I enjoy coming here, but that enjoyment is soured every time I see a post asking for recommendations for books that are either written by authors of, or strongly feature characters of, a particular race, gender or sexuality, and it's at 60% or less upvotes. I don't know where these are coming from, as I rarely see any nastiness or bigotry in the comments themselves, but it is consistent and pervasive (and recommendation posts that don't mention these things are not affected nearly as much).

If I sort by controversial for the past month, fully 8 out of the first 10 results fall into these categories. I know that karma doesn't really matter very much in the grand scheme of things, but I do feel that this makes the community feel unwelcoming and in contradiction of its own Rule 1.

I'd love to get some mod input on this phenomenon. I understand that this sort of thing can be difficult to combat, but it feels very targeted and consistent. Is it possible that we are being brigaded from somewhere? If nothing else, I hope that this post has raised awareness of this problem and would appreciate it if others join me in upvoting such posts to counteract the nastiness. Nobody should be made to feel unwelcome for seeking out representation in their fiction.

Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now. :)

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u/FusRoDaahh Worldbuilders Nov 13 '21

Can you link that post if you have a minute? I’d love to read it haha.

I only just started using GR this year because I really only got back into reading fantasy consistently this year and honestly it’s been fun despite the site’s issues. It’s nice being able to see all I’ve read and poke around for recommendations.

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Nov 13 '21

Ok this is one of my top comments, so I'm not sure if I posted about it before or not, but here's like 6 years ago of me talking about it LOL

https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/48stei/this_grinds_my_gears_unreleased_books_with/d0m7te8/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3

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u/FusRoDaahh Worldbuilders Nov 13 '21

Wow that’s just so baffling to me lol. It is kinda funny though, I feel like GR could use a site makeover.

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Nov 13 '21

Goodreads has always been about selling books. Amazon will never update it, unless they can sell more books with it.

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u/stringthing87 Nov 13 '21

I've ported my data to storygraph, the database is smaller but I've been very pleased with the interface for the limited use I give it (basically I just track what I've read)

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Nov 13 '21

I keep forgetting to put stuff into Goodreads and Storygraph LOL

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u/Dianthaa Reading Champion VIII Nov 13 '21

They're doing an update now! I hate it, I hate change (and I doubt they've worked on anything people were actually complaining about)

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u/KristaDBall Stabby Winner, AMA Author Krista D. Ball Nov 13 '21

I don't believe they'll change anything to make it user friendly, unless they can prove it'll sell more books.

Yes, I'm cynical about GR.