(no subject)

[chellemod.livejournal.com]

Hello fellow members of Hogwarts is Home.

As many of you do, I usually try and vote on as many applications at platform_934 as I can, but I've recently noticed a growing trend I thought I might bring to everyone's attention for consideration. If you don't agree with me, so be it. I'm not at all trying to create problems.

If you don't have time to read all of this, my main thoughts are in bold.

First off, I guess I should explain what I've noticed that is a bit disheartening. When I read apps, I also read the comments of current members and what they say about the app. The astonishing trend I've been seeing is basing a vote on one simple trait.

I've noticed that because a lot of members have been voting those I (as well as quite a few other Slytherins I've talked to) would never consider Slytherin. Now, I'm not saying Slytherins are the only one with this problem, because that isn't at all it. I've witnessed that it seems extend into all off the houses.

At any rate, many members are voting apps to be Slytherin simply because the applicant is sarcastic or makes a snide remark here or there. I'd like to remind that the Weasley twins (and Ron, for that matter) were quite sarcastic, but they were also out-going, adventurous, and supportive people. Therefore, sarcasm didn't automatically qualify them for Slytherin. They were about the exact opposite of Slytherin. Nor does being incredibly intelligent and studious qualify Hermoine as Ravenclaw. She was voted Gryffindor for her stamina in tight and unpredictable situations, her originality, personal balance, and strong will and well-balanced mind.

Many of the houses share traits. For example, all of the houses could be considered driven. While they are all driven, they are all driven for different reasons and different outcomes. The houses are intentionally unique, as the founders of those houses were. Every human has a few traits in common with other humans, but that doesn't mean they enjoy the same things, react the same way in a situation, have the same morals, get along, etc, etc. So simply put, one trait cannot truly qualify what someone is. It seems logical (to me, at least) to take into account as many traits of the applicant as possible. This would seem to be the best way to have well rounded votes and houses of the truest nature.

Also, don't be afraid to vote something different than what the past seven votes have been. Your vote can make the difference on an application, so it's definitely fair to just be honest with what you think people are, and if it's different than what everyone else has put, you shouldn't disregard what you truly feel the applicant is. It is only fair to the applicants to be honest, even if it means going against the crowd.

I just wanted to advocate sincerely thought-driven voting. I'm not trying to pursuade any of you to change what you think the traits of each house are. Your opinion is your opinion, nor should it be any other way. My main objective for this post was just to provide reasoning that voting will be more effective if it consists of taking into account all that you can and that you are casting your vote for the right reasons.

Edit: Also, as mentioned by tangerinesidhe, don't be afraid to cast Muggle votes, either. No need to overdo it, but muggle votes should be used when necessary. Usually, muggle votes evolve because the person is careless and doesn't take the time or effort to fill out the app properly or carefully. It would seem fair that if they don't have the time or effort for us, we needn't have the time or effort for them.

Thanks for reading. Just had a few thoughts I figured might be beneficial to share.

Comments

[imnotafake.livejournal.com]

Thank you.



-Christy//Slytherin

[aurora-borialis.livejournal.com]

I concur. There is a lot of sterotyping of the houses going on in voting. I support your take on it. I'm glad you posted something about it. :D I haven't been voting as much I should be, stupid finals, but I really understand where your coming from. Say if one puts "loyal" on their application on what they look for in a friend and automatically they are put in to Hufflepuff, but doesn't everybody want a friend that's loyal? Same goes for the other houses. For Ravenclaws, the comment, "I love reading and writing". I love to read and write too, and I'm in 'puff. Traits are definately shared, but the big picture should definately be taken into consideration.

~Austynne, 'puff

[tangerinesidhe.livejournal.com]

I've been thinking very similar things recently. I know that on the hogwartsch community, they have a webpage with a small sorting guide. Something like that could be helpful here too--it explains the traits of the houses, what they are and what they aren't. Also, things like "Don't sort someone into house X just because of trait Y."

Something heartening I have seen though is that there have been a lot of Muggle and No Vote ballots cast. The reason I endorse this is that no house should be stuck with someone just because everyone feels like they have to be stuck *somewhere*. It's not fair to any of the houses when that happens.

--Destiny, Gryffindor

[leucocrystal]

Thanks for posting that -- I haven't been able to vote in ages (ack, so busy!), but I do recall distinctly how often I saw what you've described here, even over a month ago.

I definitely know that one vote can make the difference -- I'm pretty sure I was only a few votes away from Hufflepuff house... and I'm just about as sarcastic as they come.

Anyway, it's good of you to point all that out, it's about time. :)

:: ::

[alaksirwen.livejournal.com]

Oh thank you, Chelle, for putting that into words so wonderfully.

[sffl.livejournal.com]

Agreed. You know, I may just stick this in the platform_934 userinfo.

[chellemod.livejournal.com]

Feel free to do so, if you'd like! :D <3

[limeyo.livejournal.com]

See, my only problem with this argument is that, well, who really is the ultimate judge of someone's character? Who can really understand someone's personality enough to make a clear, unquestionable decision on which imaginary Internet house they should belong to? We do not have the luxury of real magic like the Sorting Hat to make such decisions.

My point is: we all interpret the answers differently. Just because, say, I don't see Slytherin in someone doesn't mean another person won't. Perhaps I have too much faith in those of this community, but I firmly believe that most people sort on the general feel they get from the application, not on one particular characteristic. Sometimes when the decision is difficult, they'll use one or two traits to determine which house would be better, but still. *shrug*

I don't condone voting with the crowd, though, so I recommend not looking at the comments until you've read the application all the way through.

Lime, Gryffindor

[chellemod.livejournal.com]

I think you read me wrong. I'm not in anyway try to sway anyone's voting or judgement of the houses. It is absolutely undoubtable that all opinions will vary, and I don't at all refute that.

My main thought is that it seems some don't take as much as they can of the app into consideration, or vote simply because majority thinks so and so is a Hufflepuff or a Gryffindor. I don't think that is fair to the applicant or the community for members to vote in either of those mindsets. I'm not trying to point out any specific members or any specific votes and say "You voted wrong." I'm not the judge of what vote is right or wrong, nor am I attempting to be such a person.

I am also not trying to say that everyone on here votes mindlessly. I'm fully aware that isn't true. Many people on here are very full-hearted and well versed about apps, the houses, and what house an applicant belongs in, according to that member's judgment. They take time and sincere effort to vote as they feel is 100% correct.

So you see, I'm not attempting to degrade anyone, nor was it my intention to come off that way. If people are voting based on what they truly feel is the correct house for the applicant, no one can expect more of them. As I previously mentioned, my point here is to advocate more thought-driven voting to those that might not have previously taken voting as seriously as many members do.

[limeyo.livejournal.com]

Well, it was this that put me off:

I've noticed that because a lot of members have been voting those I (as well as quite a few other Slytherins I've talked to) would never consider Slytherin.

It seemed as if you were saying that because you guys disagree with the decision, it means everyone else voted wrongly.

I know you had the best intentions, but it came off fairly elitist and exclusive, as some people have pointed out. I know you said that it happens with other houses, but I've honestly never seen anyone in the Gryff community complain or bring up these issues.

Don't get me wrong, I think you have good suggestions for voting, but again, a few things put me off.

[chellemod.livejournal.com]

I know you had the best intentions, but it came off fairly elitist and exclusive, as some people have pointed out.

Actually, I've honestly only seen one or two people refute the ideas I presented in this thread, which is fine. One should always challenge what they don't agree with.

I know you said that it happens with other houses, but I've honestly never seen anyone in the Gryff community complain or bring up these issues.

But according to my count of those that commented about this thread and did so outwardly (in otherwords, they directly agreed with me, stating so in one way or another about the problems presented) were not exclusively Slytherins at all, but two Puffs, one Ravenclaw, one other Slytherin, and topping that list, three Gryffindors.

So apparently, there are Gryffindors who see the same problem as I do.

When I wrote this, I figured it would put some people off, but I also acknowledged that I wouldn't be able to accommodate everyone. Naturally, we are allowed to have opinions that don't agree.

No hard feelings, though.

[boley.livejournal.com]

You know, I would just like to comment how refreshing and nice it is to have someone who is as open minded and accepting as you are. You knew you were putting something out there that may ruffle a few feathers, but you are willing to discuss instead of merely bicker back and forth about it. That is incredibly awesome and makes me happy to be a part of this community.
Cheers to you! :-D

[chellemod.livejournal.com]

Thanks. I usually try to appreciate if not at least respect the constructive criticism and opinions of others. I rarely agree with others, but I usually attempt to be humane just so something will get accomplished.

I definitely appreciate the positive reinforcement. :)

[unwoundfantasy.livejournal.com]

I don't know how long you've been a member here, but in the old community we actually had a massive amount of essays. They all were written by those already sorted into the houses, and we had a link up as a helpful sort of guide when looking for traits to sort by. It was an excellent idea, and we'll hopefully be implementing something similar here -- things have yet to settle down. :)

[caustique.livejournal.com]

I was just about to say something about that. Wow O.O

[sffl.livejournal.com]

Just a clarification for your edit: Muggle votes are for those who are pushing for a house; if the app is too short, then you use "no vote." :)

[pwopah.livejournal.com]

Oh god, Chelle... are you bitching AGAIN!? (people, don't freak, i know and heart the chelle...)

I agree. well said.
<3/Katie/gryffindor

[boley.livejournal.com]

I dont know...This seems like a lot of Slytherin exclusiveness to me. Not trying to start any sort of flame war or anything, but my opinion is that you wrote this because you dont want people voting for your house. Its like, we cant vote Slytherin if they have too many traits cause thats "trying too hard", and we cant vote if they only have a few cause they "arent truly Slytherin". I mean....I have no idea how to vote for a Slytherin. I dont think Ive even cast that vote.
And you know, sometimes its hard that just from a few questions, youre supposed to judge what truly drives a person, or what they truly are like. Sometimes its that certain comment, or that way they worded one of the questions that really throws your vote towards one particular house. And if we took the time to list every reason we did consider in our voting comment, it would take quite a bit longer to vote for the ample amount of apps coming in.
Okay, theres my thoughts on the whole situation. Please dont take them the wrong way, I can kind of see where your coming from, but maybe it just rubbed me wrong this morning. :-)

[boley.livejournal.com]

Just thought Id let you know who i was,
Andrea~~ Hufflepuff

[saiyengirl.livejournal.com]

I don't really see where this comes up as "Slytherin Exclusivness" I mean, I think Chellemod used Slytherin as an example because they have such a large stereotype and they're a house that more people know about (or think they know about them) because of their use in the HP movies and books. It happens with all of the houses, not just Slytherin.

As a Puff I can see where she's coming from. Puff's tend to get this "bad rap" for being the bottom of the barrel, so to speak, of the houses, which is entirely untrue. Therefore, when people vote, those who have a tendency to vote with the bandwagon will often put people who should have gotten a 'No Vote' or 'Muggle' into Hufflepuff just becuase they feel they need to place them SOMEWHERE and, of course, Hufflepuff is the "reject pile."

It's completely ubsurd and I heartily support what Chellemod is saying. I'm not trying to razzle anyone up or anything, that's just my opinion.

Yes, this community is made to be fun, but to be fun and interesting at the same time people need to be intelligent and calculated about what they do. Without it this community might as well be threads and threads of "OMG DID YOU SEE HIS BUTT IN THE LAST MOVIE!!!" or "Slyterin's suck, Gryffindors are idiots, Hufflpuffs are lazy, and Ravenclaws need to live more."

I agree with Chellemod, and I have been trying my hardest to be as calculated as possible with my votes, looking at all the possibilities before I vote. Of course, you can't tell EVERYTHING about a person with just an essay, but I feel that the questions asked are very good and allow us all to tell a lot about a person and their characteristics.

Your opinion is your opinion, and that's why natasha_lumiere waits for about 30 votes before she stamps someone.

Sorry for being so long. -_-

~Terri /Hufflepuff\

[tangerinesidhe.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to sort of chime in and say: yeah, I really like what you just wrote.

For a long time I've been trying to convince people that being smart doesn't make someone a Ravenclaw. You also have to value that intelligence. And crave learning for learning's sake.

Likewise, loyalty is a trait that belongs to all of the houses. It's not exclusive to Hufflepuff. And, as you said, Puffs are not just the reject house--I mean, think of Cedric Diggory!

Snarkiness does not equal Slytherin. I'm snarky as all hell, but that doesn't mean I'm a snake. I know lots of snarky people who I wouldn't place in Slytherin.

And, finally, my own dear house. I certainly hope that Gryffindor isn't the only house with a sense of humor. I also hope that they aren't the only one with some pride.

I don't accuse anyone of bad voting. Really, I just want to share some of these thoughts and ideas, because it helps me vote better too! I think we should all look for ways to improve the community, and one of them is making sure that we are placing people to the very best of our ability.

[saiyengirl.livejournal.com]

^_^ Well thank you very much.
And you said it well, each house is deeper than just the one characteristic that everyone defines it as, and that should be taken into account.
Me for example, I'm a louder than some of my housemates and yeah, I'm a bit more sadistic as well, but as many of my friends will tell you, I'm a Puff to the core, and darn it, I'm proud of it. ^_^

[chellemod.livejournal.com]

Aye, no harm in stating your opinion. :)

Just a few things though.

"Now, I'm not saying Slytherins are the only one with this problem, because that isn't at all it. I've witnessed that it seems extend into all off the houses." (from my original post)

I'm not trying to limit this to saying that Slytherin is the only house with the app/voting issue that I talk about. The reason I used Slytherin as my example is because I am Slytherin, and so Slytherin votes are the first case to pop into my mind. It might seem biased, but it isn't meant to be. I'm not here to clear out or turn away votes for Slytherin.

I'm sure there have been some votes for Hufflepuff where you've gone "How on earth can so many people vote that applicant a Hufflepuff?"

It's not about disagreeing with someone being voted into your house, because it happens. You won't like every person in your house or always agree they are in the right house. Sometimes though, it just appears as if some votes are to just go with the flow of the other ten votes before them or because the person said "intelligent" twice, they automatically clear the person as a Ravenclaw.

I'm not attempting to question validity of the votes, but more or less if there was a lot of thought put into all of those votes.

Hopefully that helped clarify my purpose for you a bit.

[boley.livejournal.com]

Okay, when you explain it that way, it seems a little clearer to me. But one thing...

I'm sure there have been some votes for Hufflepuff where you've gone "How on earth can so many people vote that applicant a Hufflepuff?"

Nope. Never. Thats why Im a true puff. Cause I accept anyone. Yeah, theres been times when I think that a certain person has a little more of another houses traits, but if they end up a Puff, Im as happy as a hog in slop. :-) Therein lies the difference between Slytherin and Hufflepuff. Or maybe just me and you. Who knows.
However, I do want to say that you do make some very good points about voting, how more should be taken into account and all that. I guess I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning when I read that....You know us puffs have our snarky side too. (By the way, I dont think Ive ever used that word (snarky) in my day to day speech, but Im definitely going to have to try)
Okay, enough babbling for now. :-D
Andrea, Hufflepuff

[enni.livejournal.com]

I agree with the whole having contests once a month thing. I saw a lot of people drop out of here because they couldn't keep up with their schooling and the things going on here, and I know it's the same for me. I've wanted to do a contest for a while now, but with my busy schedule and the tight deadlines I can never find the time.

I hope that helps.

~Cheyenne, Slytherin

[evilsource.livejournal.com]

Permission to glomp?

I wrote a 1700 word essay on the traits of Slytherin house. I'd be more than happy to post it, if you'd like.

Kristal // Slytherin