Karma trolls

[MisterJH]

I feel as if this topic has been addressed, but not given serious consideration. I am not here to rage or complain. I have 26 karma, which is perfectly acceptable to me. As most anyone can give positive/negative karma, many are choosing to downvote completely illogical posts. Mods, is there any way you could just not give everyone karma abilities, or remove their ability to influence karma if caught trolling? Im not asking for my own benefit, it's mostly for others.

[Mikefrompluto]

I've personally dealt with three karma trolls before and all three cut it out when confronted. I believe we're doing a sufficient job as is, and since the karma log exists now, people can deduce what's an illogical downvote*.

*Meaning people can judge for themselves if someone is worthy of the negative karma or if they were just getting trolled.

[Keyeto]

It is unfortunate that some are too harsh with their karma. If someone trolls, generally a mod or two will go through the log and fix the karma, and as Mike said, confront the troll. Sometimes people take it too far and get way out of line. Those who are deemed unfit for Gathering are banned (though generally not just for some karma trolling), and the rest is dealt with by us mods or the community. As it stands right now, I think karma fixing and Pm's will suffice.

[FlickerYourOwnIdentity]

Just don't let it bother you.  It work for me!

But in all actuality, it's just a useless number.  It's not a big deal, but if you wanna stop it, then yes do what mike and Keyeto said.

[Opticarrow8]

Definitely getting better, i had -15 before the guys stepped in. Apparently i had a karma stalker. So yea, it's getting progressively better.

[Gorzo]

The biggest karma troll (and later just regular all-around troll) was banned, which lightened up the karma issue a bit. But there is still some harshness around. It does thankfully balance out most of the time.

I made a post in the karma log thread about the issue that sums up my feelings on the issue both as a mod and as a member of this community:

Yes, some people have some very strange karma habits as of late. If I may say a few words on the matter...

There has been a lot of trolling regarding karma lately. I'd like to point out that
A) The mods are watching the karma log carefully looking for abuse, and we CAN see who is the source of the hit.
B) While karma is yours to give or take for whatever reason you find fitting, there is one exception - you may not break iMtG law. Most notably "Do not harm." Singling out a member and stalking their karma by repeatedly hitting it for no reason other than a grudge or personal dislike of the person (which we have seen being done) is a harmful act. Rifling through the forums and spamming karma on members is a harmful act. Please do not do these, as it is part of forum law.
C) Just be nice! Forums are a social hydra, each member a different head. The hydra isn't happy if it's heads are biting at the napes of the other necks. We're all here because we have a common interest, and because we -want-to be here. Just try to keep that in mind.

And just a personal note, regarding A. I want to remind/assure users that just because we mods can see karma with clarity, we are by no means exempt from negative karma. You are welcome to give out posts the "thumbs-down" just like any other member if you see fit - we will NOT retaliate, think ill of you, or be upset in any way. Just the same, giving us positive karma will not give you special favor or handouts, but we will appreciate it all the same Karma should be a tool for learning what is appreciated and what isn't, and we are subject to that just as you all are.

[MisterJH]

Ok all i saw was people's issues with karma trolling, i didnt realize its being dealt with sufficiently. Clearly you cannot stop this from happening before it happens, i was just putting my 2 cents forward. Im glad its taken care of because some people clearly care about karma more than others

[Opticarrow8]

Ok all i saw was people's issues with karma trolling, i didnt realize its being dealt with sufficiently. Clearly you cannot stop this from happening before it happens, i was just putting my 2 cents forward. Im glad its taken care of because some people clearly care about karma more than others

And that's fine. Bringing attention to the problem can only help.