Goodreads Goes for Censorship

[speakingtohe]

I only use Goodreads for information. I seldom read reviews. A well written blurb works better for me.

I almost wish I had read the author behaving badly thing before it was deleted. Sounds like something that is banned on MR. No political/religious etc. Attack the idea/book not the person.

What I can't understand is the doxxing thing. If someone was stalking me and publishing my info online, I would be contacting the authorities and their publisher if they have one, and possibly the local newspapers etc. Whining about it on GoodReads seems pretty lame.

Helen

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Blossom

Could it be they check the books on the list and it was through that they determine if it fit the new guidelines?

I don't know, but I don't know the new guidelines for shelves either

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by speakingtohe

What I can't understand is the doxxing thing. If someone was stalking me and publishing my info online, I would be contacting the authorities and their publisher if they have one, and possibly the local newspapers etc. Whining about it on GoodReads seems pretty lame.

I agree with you.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Just so I understand you correctly: you're saying you personally had a shelf that was titled 'due-to-author' that was deleted?

No, if I had a shelve with that title I would know the reason of its name My shelves are quite lame.

[library addict]

Here's an article about it http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...any_users.html

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

I don't know, but I don't know the new guidelines for shelves either

You have to understand the names of shelves people were using to be done right abusive to authors they didn't like. So Goodreads finally has stepped in to stop it. You can name a shelf anything so people were using it to make sure no one bought certain authors books so when you look up a book on the side it shows what the book has been shelved as which is a good feature if you need to figure out a genre of a book and bad thing if you want to hurt an authors sales.

Check out this book's shelves after today's Plagiarism drama. There a few there that should be removed but I have seen much worse.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

Here's an article about it http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/...any_users.html

I actually saw those shelves. There are some really evil people out there. I don't see how they are going to monitor shelving though. I don't see a place to report a shelf anywhere. I am guessing automative filter will be put into place.

I just flagged a review that threaten an author. It will be interesting to see if GR steps in or not.

[library addict]

I agree something needed to be done. And some of the shelf names were horrible. I think Goodreads does have a responsibilty to set rules and not tolerate bullying from readers or authors.

But I think there are times when an author's behavior is something I would want to know about before I purchased their books. The line is different for everyone, but for me if an author is a plagiarist I wouldn't buy any of their books. And plagiarism doesn't seem to prevent authors from future publishing contracts (i.e. Janet Dailey) so it is an on going issue. I would also want to know if an author harasses reviewers and posts their personal data online. Sadly, I've read about more than one author doing this.

I concede that Goodreads shelves may not the best place for that information, but Goodreads reviews do turn up near the top of many Google searches and were a way for readers unfamiliar with past kerfuffles to become aware of them.

[latepaul]

The problem is that accusations of bad behaviour, whether true or not, are bound to lead to some pretty controversial and heated discussions. I can understand why Good reads doesn't want to be the venue for those types of battles. It's not really a question of whether there's validity to accusations, or whether it's useful to readers, it's about what kind of site they want to be. Its about setting a tone.

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by library addict

I agree something needed to be done. And some of the shelf names were horrible. I think Goodreads does have a responsibilty to set rules and not tolerate bullying from readers or authors.

But I think there are times when an author's behavior is something I would want to know about before I purchased their books. The line is different for everyone, but for me if an author is a plagiarist I wouldn't buy any of their books. And plagiarism doesn't seem to prevent authors from future publishing contracts (i.e. Janet Dailey) so it is an on going issue. I would also want to know if an author harasses reviewers and posts their personal data online. Sadly, I've read about more than one author doing this.

I concede that Goodreads shelves may not the best place for that information, but Goodreads reviews do turn up near the top of many Google searches and were a way for readers unfamiliar with past kerfuffles to become aware of them.

I think we have blogs to handle personal issues. I rather see that info moved off Amazon and Goodreads. I don't see a problem with a reviewer retracting their rating due to issues as long as it's done professionally by leaving a note that explaining why without going into hysterics.

Right now there is a drama going on at GR which was mention at DA today It's starting to get out of hand. This is why I think it's better for other sites than a review site.

[Canuck_in_Japan]

I've learned two things from this thread: A) My book shelves are viewable to the public or to my friends? WTH? and B) Some people sure take their reading lists seriously. Wow.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Blossom

You have to understand the names of shelves people were using to be done right abusive to authors they didn't like. So Goodreads finally has stepped in to stop it. You can name a shelf anything so people were using it to make sure no one bought certain authors books so when you look up a book on the side it shows what the book has been shelved as which is a good feature if you need to figure out a genre of a book and bad thing if you want to hurt an authors sales.

Check out this book's shelves after today's Plagiarism drama. There a few there that should be removed but I have seen much worse.

I repeat again Their site, their terms. But, if you change TOS without warning (BTW, not warning yet if you're not in the feedback group) and remove previous content according the new rules without warning, not fair.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Blossom

You have to understand the names of shelves people were using to be done right abusive to authors they didn't like. So Goodreads finally has stepped in to stop it. You can name a shelf anything so people were using it to make sure no one bought certain authors books so when you look up a book on the side it shows what the book has been shelved as which is a good feature if you need to figure out a genre of a book and bad thing if you want to hurt an authors sales.

Check out this book's shelves after today's Plagiarism drama. There a few there that should be removed but I have seen much worse.

I repeat again Their site, their terms. But, if you change TOS without warning (BTW, not warning yet if you're not in the feedback group) and remove previous content according the new rules without warning, not fair. That's my concern, the other... well,I think some shelves names are not good, yes, but if you don't have rules (they don't have about shelves but reviews) and trust on the good people's behavior

[Blossom]

Originally Posted by Terisa de morgan

I repeat again Their site, their terms. But, if you change TOS without warning (BTW, not warning yet if you're not in the feedback group) and remove previous content according the new rules without warning, not fair. That's my concern, the other... well,I think some shelves names are not good, yes, but if you don't have rules (they don't have about shelves but reviews) and trust on the good people's behavior

I think truthfully Amazon is stepping in and cleaning up GR. It needed to be done. I expect even more changes to come. Remember Amazon bought Goodreads. They sure don't want this on their reputation specially when they announce Goodreads integration with the new Paperwhite coming out.

[Terisa de morgan]

Originally Posted by Blossom

I think truthfully Amazon is stepping in and cleaning up GR. It needed to be done. I expect even more changes to come. Remember Amazon bought Goodreads. They sure don't want this on their reputation specially when they announce Goodreads integration with the new Paperwhite coming out.

I agree, Blossom, but... without warning? Not a good commercial movement. What would you think if your mobile company raised prices without warning and will recalculate your previous bills asking for more money?