In a two year period the point system has changed 3 times. It has changed because members complain about who they think should or should not be a top poet. Some members will read the poems of the top 10 poets and think that their poems don't represent good poetry. Other members will think the opposite.
So the question that I feel needs to be answered is what makes a good poem?
We all have different ideas on what makes a good poem. When a poem doesn't meet our individual standards or coincide with our writing style, we tend to be a little critical of that poem. I am guilty of that too. But, there is a difference between not liking a poem and not respecting the poet. For example, I may not like the content of a poem, but I have to respect the poet for expressing himself or herself. If I dont like their poem, does that mean they should not be a top poet? If 10 poets like the poem and 10 poets dont like it, is it a good poem or bad poem? The decision of what's a good poem is up to the individual poet, regardless of who likes it or not.
So what can GS Poetry do? We can set criteria and standards on what we think makes up a good poem. Every community needs certain standards and guidelines to function a certain way. Naturally we cannot read every poem to make that decision. There are too many to read. In the coming weeks we will be refining the point system. This will artificially help us make those decisions. This is not a cure or a catch-all solution. This is a man-made system and is subject to flaws. In addition, there will be those who will try to manipulate the system. That's why we will not reveal the criteria and standards behind the point system.
The first change will be coming before the end of the week. The points that poets accumulate will no longer be public. No one will be able to see another poet's points. Poets will still be able to see their point totals on their own page.
We know these small changes may get some people upset. We know some may not like it, but we are trying hard at the moment to improve the system.
GS Poetry is not the ultimate or official authority on what is good poetry. All we want is for poets to express themselves, treat each other kindly and write good poetry.
AC
GS Poetry Founder
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