To start, I hate drama and really don't want to waste my time on it, but I'm forced to address this. I let this bullying happen for an entire month after briefly addressing it in the header of one of my posts around a month ago getting a nonsense reply (Link). The problem with people like this, is that rational arguments have zero impact, and the one thing they crave the most is seeing that it really affects you emotionally which it obviously does.
If there are 2 things I really can't stand, it is people abusing their power and injustice, which is why these downvotes trigger me like crazy. I honestly don't care about the earnings themselves, which are being taken away as they are almost totally insignificant to begin with.
Downvotes
I have no problem with downvotes if they are justified, if there is some kind of consensus around them, and if they are done in a consistant equal way. I don't think i have ever cast a single downvote myself on Hive, and think they only really should be done on blatant abuse. If a single whale goes out on a quest to target and downvote an individual on almost every single post for an entire month with some made-up reasons, it's just straight-up bully behavior which should not have a place here on Hive!
My Hive Blog & Journey
I got into crypto mid-2017 and Hive (Steemit) was one of the platforms that I discovered and gave a try as it was the perfect fit for me. As someone who has been betting on sports & playing Poker professionally for more than a decade upto that point, and with a history of writing previews on private betting forums (which all died at that point since the market got sharper and nearly everyone lost their edge or started selling their picks to get something out of them that way), I figured I might continue this publically on my own Blog.
The benefits of this is that most of all it helps myself to stay sharp and disciplined, as it is crazy hard to actually beat the sports betting market consistently. As a side effect, there were the benefits of possibly finding like-minded people with this and potentially earn a little bit as a nice bonus.
What followed was 8+ years of really enjoying this platform, falling in love with it and seeing it as my home on the internet despite the fact that there are many obvious flaws in the entire Hive Model. While I aimed to do well here which was a challenge as this niche topic falls outside any of the general curation circles, I never had earnings on Hive as a goal by itself and I honestly never carerd about the price of Hive both in the bull or the bear, as I don't need the money. Aside from some funds that went into into Splinterlands, I never did any powerdowns and have no plans to do so.
Over the years, I managed to meet a lot of like-minded people who I consider friends even though I have never seen them in real life. I also get contacted on Discord regularly by people who come across my blog and run a Discord Channel that adds to my blog as I'm sharing bets there also along with covering all matches in-game.
As for my content itself which is exclusive to my hive blog, I can say that it actually is super impressive as I continue to beat the market year after year. (I challenge anyone to find someone with this kind of motivation, discipline and results on the internet!)
I literally share every bet that I'm taking on my blog and on Discord both during the good and the bad times keeping extreme transparant track of my results. The previews that I'm making in the last 6 years also include official bold bets which act as more selective suggestions for those who want to follow along. There have been 783 of these bets and they have done a very solid +5.74% ROI on Flat 1 Unit Stakes.
Aside from these Preview & Results posts, I also shared my Journey on the other side of the specturm in the Crypto GambleFi space keeping track of my portfolio and the news of different projects that I'm invested sharing numbers and insights that you otherwise can't find anywhere on the internet. I also enjoyed some Play2Earn games in the past years of which Splinterlands was one that got some nice curation along the way.
If anything, I would argue that Hive needs more unique blogs like this from people who start out wanting to make a blog instead of wanting to earn and start a blog for that purpose which is the main reason everyone eventually leaves sooner or later. Right now, Hive is pretty much a library where the most popular books are about the library. If I wanted to maximise my earnings here, I would just make perma-bull pretend post about Hive, Splinterlands, Leo, Surge, Stakehouse Den, Power Up Days, and everything else that has to do with the platform which nobody on the outside is really interested in.
Arguments For The Downvotes...
So I tried to interact are argue with this guy, but it's obvious that there is no logic reasoning involved. These are some of the things he accuses me of...
- "Easy Farming Content"
Believe it or not but this is actually the 2nd time he has been attacking me. The first time quite some time ago he also went on a rampage downvoting all my posts. One of the reasons then was that I make farming content which might make a bit of sense on the surface.
My reply:
I use templates to make my post look nice and also actually keep track of my results. The content itself is just factually rock solid given the fact that it beats the market year after year. I also put a ton of effort to get to the info that is included in my work as I watch pretty much all matches, follow the news, watch/listen to podcasts, update my personal Excel sheet with Stats that help me stay profitable. I also pay for a newspaper subscription mainly to be able to include visual line-ups in my posts, and it also actually takes quite some time to make these posts. I also have decades of experience in betting on the Belgian League. It's like saying a boxer who knocks out his opponent in the 1st second didn't put in any effort which makes no sense.
- "Self-Upvoting"
This was another argument the first time he attacked me and I can see why people don't like this. I have not self-upvoted this month though but the full downvotes keep coming.
My reply:
While this might be somewhat controversial, I see self-upvotes as a feature on Hive and if it wasn't, they could easily turn this off and make it not possible to do. One of the issues of Hive is that there are almost no reasons for anyone to buy and power up Hive. I have no issues with people who have a stake in the platform and put effort in their work to upvote, especially if they are outside of the curation circles. This said, I do see ways how this can be abused if people start creating a ton of shit posts to self-upvote or if they start upvoting their own comments. I also have no issues with stopping self-upvoting.
- "Nobody Reads Your Posts"
This was another argument he threw at me.
My reply:
For as far as I know, there are no official statistics on this as Hive removed the view count a long time ago because nobody was getting any views. Threespeak still has a view counter and the top videos barely get any views (between 12 and 33).
The reality when it comes down to Hive is that there are many writers but few readers. I know for a fact that there are people who really appreciate and read my posts, and I regularly get contacted on Discord by people who discover my content. I also have some data on affiliate links that I have on my posts of some bookmakers that I actually use. These show that there are consistent clicks on my links (55 to be exact in September). Knowing this is only a fraction of the people who read that click on them it pretty much debunks the statement that I have no readers.
On top of this, if there was any consistency to this argument, he would equally need downvote everything on Hive. Instead, it's just a clear targeted attack.
- "No Engagement"
This is another total non-argument.
My reply:
Sure, I have some posts that have 0 replies just like many people on Hive, I also have plenty of posts that do get replies. The content itself also isn't 'engagement farming oriented'. Most of my conversations go on over at Discore which is just way more convenient and natural. What I bring is also just more 'lurker-friendly' and ot doesn't make sense to get comments on every post that I make. Some friends also stepped in recently to help me fight the bully and started to reply but that doesn't seem to make any difference whatsoever.
Again, the same argument goes that this is just tageted bully behavior as with an argument like this the downvotes would need to be spread all over Hive.
- "Redirecting Too High Rewards"
and I quote "just trying to redirect the reward pool towards where it is due"
My reply:
Sure, systematically max downvoting every post to zero for over a month of someone who maybe earns 2$-4$ on a post after running a blog for 8+ years is redirecting the reward pool. I bring good content that even though it's not for everyone, people respect. I'm invested in Hive and people know that I won't dump it like many of the ones you are redirecting the values to...
The Real Reason For The Downvotes...
The way I see it, this is just a high probability case of severe Narcissism Disorder. Someone with a large stake, which is used to bully and belittle smaller people, who can't fight back to compensate for low self esteem feeding into somewhat of a god complex. At the same time, staying very friendly with other people so this behavior can continue. I probably have some different opinions he doesn't agree with and I also don't hold back to so things as they are like what's going on with Splinterlands. This combined with the fact that my stake and average post values are perfect to causing maximum emotional damage makes me a suited target for this sheer abuse without any rational argumented reasons for it.
Other Indirect Victims
I have a lot of people here on Hive who do support me and who I have very friendly encounters with. They all also get robbed a part of their curation rewards by these systematic bully downvotes. @fullcoverbetting / @mercurial9 / @stimp1024 / @beat-the-bookies / @roleerob / @buggedout / @abh12345 / @jaki01 / @acidyo / @solominer / @ervin-lemark / @erikklok / @giuatt07 / @finpulse / @nevies / @uwelang / @behiver / @dalz / @forsakensushi / @tatakai / @bombus / @dwayne16 / @omarcitorojas / @blitzzzz / @libertycrypto27 / @thehockeyfan-at / @curamax / @mightyrocklee / @florian-glechner / @fermionico / @aftersound / @thepeoplesguild / @deniskj / @sportfrei / @maarnio / @r1s2g3 / @talesfrmthecrypt / @imno / @johnhtims / @pishio / @dexpartacus / @moeenali / @fortune1m / @atnazo / @eddie-earner / @bleujay / @underlock / @seattlea / @ekavieka / @achim03 / @bitcoinflood / @yablonsky / @tanzil2024 / @faiz1971 / @gadrian / @sorin.cristescu / @mypathtofire / @urrirru / @unitmaster / @relf87 / @blanchy / @beaker007 ...
The bottom Line
I don't want to stir up any drama or make this into a big fight as I don't have the time or energy for this. I just want to be left alone and for some common sense to prevail. If there is a consensus that these downvotes are fully justified, I also have no issue to leave hive and move elsewhere. So the question I have is the following. Am I the abuser here who deserves to be downvoted to the ground on every single post, or are these systematic downvotes by 1 individual a case of targeted bullying?
I am sure that you are not abusing the system. No doubt about that.
Being on hive can frustrating from time to time. That’s why I did leave 1.5 years ago. Trying to do my best effort to create quality posts, hoping on some interaction. On the other hand seeing post with zero added value, upvoted to heaven. On Hive the quality of the post isn’t t the most important, it is more important who you do know and what you do read about.
Regardless that I was away from hive for a long time, I did stop by from time to time what your thoughts were about the upcoming games.
Like you said, the more diverse the postings on Hive are, the better it should be for the ecosystem.
If a content is very niche, it is hard to get interactions. Like your posts do prove.
We have tried to setup a sportsbetting community, but it always felt we weren’t welcome at Hive. Still we tried and stayed.
Most upvotes on Hive are the result of networking, building communities, trying to find soulmates on a topic. I do believe that at least 70% of the upvotes, maybe even more, are given without that the post was read.
I have seems post with an edited title: ‘Don’t upvote, mistake’ getting a shitloads of upvotes.
The great thing about Hive, being censor less, does kill you at this moment. The whales do dictate the communities and type of posts.
While it can be seen as bullying, he is just using his force, like he is entitled to do.
I am your side, but can’t do shit about it.
Sorry mate!
Thanks Peter!
I have known Costanza for a number of years though I have never met him in person. I was always interested in gambling and sports betting in particular and it was through this that I encountered the SBC as it was known of which Costanza was a part of.
You won't meet a more dedicated hard working analyst of sport betting and of the Belgian League in particular. Costanza is meticulous in everything he does and an asset to the Hive Blockchain.
I have also done many high value transactions with him completely on trust, never with any issues whatsoever. He will always have time for you and I have personally witnessed him being an excellent ambassador for the Hive platform.
Whilst the content that Costanza produces won't be everyone's cup of tea I challenge anybody to show or dispute the effort that goes in to these posts. Whilst this is an open platform and users can use their stake however they wish I would urge those who are downvoting to reconsider and try to see the bigger picture here and that this platform needs a variety of content even if it is something you don't particularly like. It is clear from the upvotes that this content is appreciated and is enjoyed by a small niche set of users on the platform.
I have never had any interactions with azircon personally but it is clear he is passionate about the platform and the content that is made available. But I would like to remind him that it isn't just always about the content and if you personally think it is good or bad for the platform but also about the user and their passion and work effort dedicated to a platform that hasn't reached the heights we all want it to reach. We really cannot afford to lose users of the calibre of Costanza, the platform will never succeed if we do.
Thanks for the kind words Paul!
The last thing HIVE needs is to lose more users from arbritary downvotes. Hope the guy reconsiders that he might be doing more harm than good downvoting such a long time user who's stuck around through the good and bad of HIVE price.
Sorry to read that as we shared common things arounds sports also on Scorum. I get your point and I think it is good to NOT stir drama - will not help.
While I have a special relationship with azircon - we liked each other during Rabona times, then some discussion went into direction we did not like each other anymore.
He is special but as often as I think he overrreacts with downvote vendetta I also think he is not really doing it as of pure hate - what he does not like (and here I think is the foundation of flagging): Similar content with templates - could be seen as easy content to farm rewards - no matter what my views are here do not get into drama - azircon could be seen as a dick but what I still appreciate about him with all his downvotes i do not always understand: He tries to protect Hive and reward pool - the way he does that is a different topic - but let us be honest - we all are sometimes arrogant towards other people - I am guilty there as well.
I am sure you are the wrong target as you are not a scammer and not a farmer in my view.
Maybe try to talk to him directly. No idea it helps but aziron is after:
What I want is that not another good users of the platform will leave (we have not that many anymore) - and you are one of them. You own your topic spot - and I enjoy reading your content even it is often from Belgium Soccer (but better as to write about shithole club Bayern Munich :-)!)
Hope there will be a solution - I know azircon does not like me at all but in general he is one of the chain guys that tries to protect the chain (no matter if I like the methods or not) - you are probably one of the wrong victims. I would offer to have a talk together but I might be not the right person.
But please - no drama, no spam comments how shit people are and no mention of Blurt shitchain (here i would even downvote lol) - you are smart enough to get a solution.
Great insights @uwelang !
I totally forgot about the Rabona days, feels like ages ago.
While this triggers me like crazy and it makes me want to go on a rampage (Like nearly everyone who gets hit by downvotes), I don't plan to act on it as I always try to stay rational and reasoned, which I think this post shows.
Provocation: The most famous YouTubers do ad revenue farming. Is that wrong? No, that’s how the system works. It’s frustrating to be punished just for playing by the rules of the game. The truly unfair behavior comes from those who are more "powerful" because there’s no way to defend yourself against them. It would be great to have a system in which judgment was more communal and less individual (even when this is done with the best intentions).
Indeed, as I said I have no problem with downvotes if they are justified, if there is some kind of consensus around them, and if they are done in a consistent equal way.
Exactly what I think too
Greetings @costanza ,
So sorry this is happening to you.
Your professional presentation is appreciated as well as the accompanying post....which when I read it for the first time was quite surprised how really enthused you are for the game....it just comes through in a big way as well as again professionalism. It was a proud moment for Hive...that a poster was offering such strong fayre.
It is hoped by me...that any downvoting on Hive is for the purpose of correcting a user to Hive Protocol. It is true...upvoting oneself is frowned upon and I wish the system did not allow it as so many run into it through experience and are downvoted.
If I were you...I would change up my presentation....no longer upvote your own posts ....and see if you can find a way to interact more. There are those like you who have been downvoted and just carried on as you have said you have already been through before, they are still here....still posting.
If you are on Peaked there is a view counter although it does say it cannot count any from Brave Browser.
With the amount of Hive you have, your KE score, the length of time you have been here and your rep number....there is every reason to consider you of value to Hive...One would hope.
Wishing you well,
Bleujay
Thanks for the mention.
Thanks @bleujay,
I'm certainly not claiming that I'm flawless, and there are certainly things I can improve upon when it comes down to Hive. I also have no issue to not upvote my own posts.
@costanza you are the reason I am here on hive and discovered splinterlands. I found one of your betting posts when you did 10+ blog series on steemit about betting pyschology, risk management etc and I started devouring everything you put out in early 2020.
I will remember the first interaction we had on discord when I ask you for advice on starting out on splinterlands and content creation -> "focus on long-term and remain consistent and all those small earnings will stack up as long as you remain consistent."
Fast forward 5 years, I am still here reading all your content. I don't comment often, but i do read.
I hope this situation clears up for you because I don't understand why you would be getting downvoted when the content you produce is valuable.
Likewise,
I also really enjoy your Defi Yield Farming Journey posts. It's the kind of content that draws me in the most.
I also always love chatting with you on Discord!
Hi! I’ve been reading you for quite a while, even though you haven’t noticed me. I don’t always comment, but in my opinion, a self-sufficient post doesn’t need any comments. Oh, those downvotes…
I saw your exchange under your post. I noticed only one reply from his side that seemed truthful — something like, “That’s how I see it, that’s what I want, and that’s my right.”
I’d add — the right of the stronger one…
Just wanted to support you in any way I can, at least morally. Just hang in there!
As for advice — same as others said: don’t get dragged into fights, diversify or lighten up your content, and if you can, try to engage people in discussion through your posts.
Good job tagging some of the old-timers — maybe a bit of attention will help bring some clarity.
Thanks for the Support!
I will never understand why people go out of their way to choke the life out of someone elses efforts. If there is anyone here who deserves their rewards, it is you.
You have been incredibly consistent in posting quality content, especially your Splinterlands posts.
Azircon, you are killing the Hive platform.
Sorry to hear of your downvoting troubles, it seems to be a regular occurence lately of someone being downvoted until they quit. I am not following your betting posts, but your splinterlands content has been the best on Hive. Even though I left Hive 10mths ago, I still drop back to catch your updates.
Whilst I think Azircon is free to do with his stake as he likes, his actions come across super hypocritical when turning a blind eye to obvious scamming on Hive such as comment upvotes by his whale frens. Just downvoting those would save the reward pool much more than pushing a few fish around.
Thanks for the kind words,
The thing with my Splinterands content is that I always try to keep it real while always staying constructive coming from an angle where I want things to succeed. I don't want to pretend that things are great just because there are good upvotes to be made. I know that many appreciate this, but at the same time, it's hard to keep up as I don't want to be shitting on the game all the time in the hope things actually improve and get fixed.
This perspective is really helpful for many readers I think.
Downvotes wear you down after a while... Even tiny ones, without monetary or rep implications.
That's something we need to take into consideration on Hive too, when we throw them around. Because we are already too few...
On the other hand, talking from experience: with few exceptions, regular posting has a way of becoming stereotype at some point. I needed to step back to realize that about my own writing.
Hive, if anything, really pushes toward a daily post, and you see that everywhere on this platform. I'm also looking to step away from it more as certain weekly updates can easily be done on a monthly basis.
I know... That's one reason I've done it for a long time. The other is that I came in with the idea that if you don't post regularly, you are forgotten. Something marketing people teach, which probably applies there, where you have something to sell. But when people really seek and follow you and your content, that doesn't happen, no matter if you take longer breaks or write often. At least that's what I see...
Azircon probably wants to stop the HIVE price from falling this way. But when people with KE-1 have been on the platform for years and start getting downvoted, I think this only puts further pressure on the HIVE price and diminishes the Hive community.
That is indeed one of the things that just makes zero sense to me.
Unfortunately, Hive do not inspire me now to post but I am still going to chase my dream stake in HIVE.
I wish you all the best.
I do not understand how they measure engagement, and communities in Hive fared very badly. I wish Hive has communities with strong tokenomics and everything could be contained on it with no drama of "general reward pool".