Should the Reactions Count Include Quotes of a Post?

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The discussion centers on whether quotes from posts should count as reactions, with some arguing that they represent a valid response to the original content. Participants note that the current reaction count includes only certain types of reactions, while others, like "wow," may not be counted as positive. There is a debate about the implications of counting various reactions, including the potential for negative reactions to still contribute positively to engagement metrics. The conversation also touches on the historical changes in post counting and the challenges of moderating forums that deal with controversial topics. Overall, the idea of expanding what constitutes a reaction is seen as a way to enhance community interaction.
BillTre
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Reactions (as I understand the counting is done) is the sum of various options available from the "Like" button.
I think that using a quote from a post should also count as a reaction, since it is, in fact, a reaction to the post, and would not happen without it.
 
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Interesting idea. In one sense it's analogous to the number of "citations" of a paper, but OTOH, a quote here at PF could be to say "good point" or to say "that's nutz!" :smile:
 
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A "that's nutz" text comment seems entirely equivalent, to me, to the Like button reaction choice of "skeptical", which is counted as a reaction and is similar in meaning to "that's nutz".
 
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Hmm, I did not know that. So a "like" reaction counts the same as a "skeptical" reaction? Yikes!
 
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Its like for politicians:
Bad reactions are not bad if they are reactions (since all media mentions are good (usually)).
 
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There is no bad publicity! It is the backbone of civilization as we know it..
 
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Just trying to pump up the reaction scores for you guys...
 
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I was thinking. just loving the skeptical choice all of a sudden.
 
I occasionally say stupid things but perhaps I should try harder!
More seriously I would point out that direct citation is often accompanied by a reaction skeptical or otherwise. I enjoy being skeptical when I'm not really sure...
 
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  • #10
hutchphd said:
I occasionally say stupid things but perhaps I should try harder!
No, no, no. You're doing fine... :oldeyes:
 
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  • #11
1626739189244.png

As I understand it, a member's like count or "reaction count" includes only the first 4, but not the last 2. Number 5 (wow) I don't know.

It would make sense if the last 2 disapproval added -1 to the count, but I think they count as zero.

@Greg Bernhardt can give us the authoritative answer.
 
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  • #12
anorlunda said:
View attachment 286232
As I understand it, a member's like count or "reaction count" includes only the first 4, but not the last 2. Number 5 (wow) I don't know.

It would make sense if the last 2 disapproval added -1 to the count, but I think they count as zero.

@Greg Bernhardt can give us the authoritative answer.

If you go to the reactions received part under your "MY PF" you will see them all listed equally as reactions, and the numbers of each category for you.
 
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  • #13
BillTre said:
If you go to the reactions received part under your "MY PF" you will see them all listed equally as reactions, and the numbers of each category for you.
Woo-hoo! So that's where all of my Reactions were coming from. Hah, and I was sweating all of those sad/skeptical comments.
 
  • #14
BillTre said:
If you go to the reactions received part under your "MY PF" you will see them all listed equally as reactions, and the numbers of each category for you.
Thanks, I didn't know about that.
 
  • #15
BillTre said:
If you go to the reactions received part under your "MY PF" you will see them all listed equally as reactions, and the numbers of each category for you.
The sum that's shown in posts and the profile only covers the positive ones, however. There is a slight discrepancy, probably from deleted posts or similar, but I checked how the counter changes when you give these different reactions.
"Wow", "sad" and "skeptical" don't count.
 
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  • #16
"Wow" does count?
That doesn't make sense.
I consider "Wow" to be positive.
 
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  • #17
BillTre said:
Reactions (as I understand the counting is done) is the sum of various options available from the "Like" button.
I think that using a quote from a post should also count as a reaction, since it is, in fact, a reaction to the post, and would not happen without it.
(1)
Member could choose to make a quote and say what he wants to say in a new post, about the post, along with choosing one of the reaction icons.

(2)
The available Reaction icons is limited; maybe a few more can be put into the forum.
 
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  • #18
BillTre said:
A "that's nutz" text comment seems entirely equivalent, to me, to the Like button reaction choice of "skeptical", which is counted as a reaction and is similar in meaning to "that's nutz".
You had a reaction score of 4505 before I reacted sceptically to this claim. You still have 4505.

Which is good going for a mere 1800+ posts!
 
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  • #19
BillTre said:
"Wow" does count?
That doesn't make sense.
I consider "Wow" to be positive.
Still 4505, despite my wow!
 
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  • #20
BillTre said:
I think that using a quote from a post should also count as a reaction, since it is, in fact, a reaction to the post, and would not happen without it.
To give a serious answer. On the homework threads, the OP's posts are almost always replied to with the next comment, hint, correction. To take an example:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ing-beam-in-two-different-directions.1005257/

What would be the point of counting all that toing and froing over a homework problem?
 
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  • #21
PeroK said:
You had a reaction score of 4505 before I reacted sceptically to this claim. You still have 4505.

Which is good going for a mere 1800+ posts!
Posts in the lounge (including general discussion) don't increase the counter, but likes there do.
 
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  • #22
mfb said:
Posts in the lounge (including general discussion) don't increase the counter, but likes there do.
I have noticed that anomaly too.
 
  • #25
Ivan Seeking said:
I used to have over 10,000 posts but as some point Greg changed the way the count is done.
I was going to use the sad icon, but that wouldn't have added to your like count; and I thought losing all those posts was bad enough!
 
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  • #26
Ivan Seeking said:
I used to have over 10,000 posts but as some point Greg changed the way the count is done.
Changed how? Mostly just curious and @Greg Bernhardt can likely answer if you don't
 
  • #27
Nugatory said:
Changed how? Mostly just curious and @Greg Bernhardt can likely answer if you don't
Nothing comes to mind, but since Ivan has been around since near the beginning, there may have been some platform changes that affected counts early on.
 
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  • #28
PeroK said:
To give a serious answer. On the homework threads, the OP's posts are almost always replied to with the next comment, hint, correction. To take an example:

https://www.physicsforums.com/threa...ing-beam-in-two-different-directions.1005257/

What would be the point of counting all that toing and froing over a homework problem?
To answer this question, I would consider anything that promotes positive interactions on the site a positive. therefore, it would be reasonable to have quotes and counter-quotes to count positively.
This would also provide a positivity boost to those laboring so selflessly in the homework sections.
 
  • #29
Nugatory said:
Changed how? Mostly just curious and @Greg Bernhardt can likely answer if you don't
I think a bunch of my posts were no longer counted after I left and the S&D forum was eventually eliminated.
 
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  • #30
Greg Bernhardt said:
Nothing comes to mind, but since Ivan has been around since near the beginning, there may have been some platform changes that affected counts early on.

Yeah, things back then got a little dicey. But when I retired I think my post count was still over 10k. I thought it was the elimination of S&D that did it since the posts were moved into GD.
 
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