no middle ground

Thinking about rating systems on the Internet (YouTube, Reddit come to mind), a lot of "rating" comes down to a simple "Like/Dislike" system (up/downvotes on Reddit, likes on FB). Is this perhaps a consequence - or a small part of the reason - of a tendency for strong opinions?

Opinions and reactions on the Internet often get incredibly polar - it's hard to see the middle ground between love and hate for someone or something. Though in that case, it's also the fact that people with more balanced or neutral opinions don't tend to voice them as much as those with extreme opinions of either kind.

This is something I've seen a lot of examples of on Reddit and some especially in the SC2 community. Sometimes those are gathered around subjects that are polarizing in themselves (IdrA, iNcontroL and EG in general come to mind). The common trend is that very few people just dislike someone or feel negative about a topic in a vocal, but calm way. It's a lot more common to see people flip the fuck out - wishing death upon others, insulting them for everything and actively trying to make them feel like shit. It works on the other end of the spectrum, too - if you don't hate someone, you probably love them instead in a rabid, fanboyish manner, unwilling to hear out or accept criticism towards their favourite person.

It's probably the rule of the vocal minority, honestly - but this only means that people of the middle ground shouldn't be afraid to speak up more often, offer criticism for those they like and not overlook the good things about those they don't like.

No wonder I couldn't fit this thought in any of my social media!
In other news, MLG Anaheim has made my weekend absolutely amazing. My sleep schedule is dead as shit, but, y'know... totally worth it. Can't wait for the finals.

buyer's mixup dream

Some dreams make for mildly amusing stories. This one felt like a rather subtle advertisement...

I was browsing stores with video games in the nearby Centrum Janki mall, starting from the local Empik. I considered for a while a Command & Conquer complete set of games, then decided against it. I kept peering around, then I went to the Real supermarket to see what games are there. Strangely, in the dream the available games spanned a wide range including really old titles (I recall seeing Fallout 1 and the Quake series). I eventually settled on buying Fallout 3, but somehow never actually did...

The dream skipped forward to when I was at home. I think I had asked Dad and Mom to pick the game up, they went with me and it turned out Dad chose something completely different - which I only learned of at home. I was very unhappy with this. I stormed off to ask the store's customer service for a swap. They were unwilling to make the trade, they listed complex conditions under which they would agree.

This concluded the dream on the note that I would have to spend more money to get Fallout 3 and make up for the mistake. The regret lasted until I woke and realized I had dreamt of all that - the thought brought me considerable relief.

I guess my subconscious is advertising Fallout to me for some reason...