<H3>NOTE: .174 STEEM is worth *two cents* at market value as I write this post.</H3>

>*"People, I just want to say, you know, can we all get along?"* - [**Rodney Glen King**](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Rodney_King)

I've recused myself from this discussion up until now, not having anything particularly constructive to say. However, after reading a wide variety of opinions, I have five simple observations to share. I hope they may help "cut through the fog."

![No Way To Go But Up](https://source.unsplash.com/cYUMaCqMYvI)
<H6>**No Way To Go But Up** - Photo courtesy of [Jungwoo Hong](https://unsplash.com/@oowgnuj) and [http://unsplash.com](http://unsplash.com)</H6>

<H3>Caveat:</H3>

Although I am a strong believer in giving credit where credit is due, I *have not read* all the arguments or all the posts on this topic, and I have *probably forgotten* certain references. I make *no claim of originality* for the ideas expressed here. I only hope to simplify, distill, and mention what now appears to me to be a reasonable and simple solution.

<H3>1) Steemit is a *cohesive community.*</H3>

*Most* Steemians *care* about Steemit and its future. Even more care about the feelings and fortunes of other Steemians. Sure, there may be a relatively small percentage of trolls and sociopaths, but they are a minority.

Because Steemians care, tempers flare, small matters loom large, and feelings are hurt. This too shall pass.

<H3>2) Changes often have *unintended consequences.*</H3>

Because Steemit is a complex system with many moving parts, any changes made should be modest in scope and made with long term consequences in mind. In other words, try not to rock the boat; we don't want to swamp it.

That's why I believe that "flag evaluation boards," *major* changes to algorithms, etc. are likely to be overkill, with complications and consequences presently unforeseeable.

<H3>3) Some "Steemit Terms" match system actions *poorly.*</H3>

In the immediate case, two "equal and opposite actions" are described by words having radically different *natural meanings.* The words used are *vote* and *flag.*

The word *vote* has generally very *positive* connotations, while the word *flag* (in this context) has generally very *negative* connotations. Yet, a "vote" and a "flag" are *exactly* equal and opposite in what they *do* on the platform (given, of course, that they are activated with the same amount of Steem Power).

<H3>4) Payouts are not final until *"the fat lady sings."*</H3>

Steemian @robrigo [**has pointed out**](https://steemit.com/tag/@robrigo/re-krnel-re-richq11-re-krnel-vote-negation-flag-review-council-other-solutions-20170226t002639238z) that payout amounts are not final until the end of the voting period. Yet, the *current estimate* is displayed in real time with each post. This has the unfortunate consequence of building up author hopes *prematurely.* The function of the system may be fair, stake-based, and balanced, but the *feelings and perceptions* of the authors and the community are not.

<H3>5) A very few *minor* changes could result in *major* relief.</H3>

And so, here is the punchline you've been waiting for, three proposed, minor changes:
- **Rename** "Flag" to "Un-vote" or "Down-vote." Or, instead of vote, have "Thumbs Up" and "Thumbs Down."
- Have a **"true flag"** with system semantics that *match* the English meaning, i.e. *true disapproval,* "abuse," or "wrongness."
- **Hide** the $SBD payout value until it is finalized. Display some *relative* indicator instead.

<H3>Conclusion:</H3>

If I understand the system at all (yes, that's surely questionable!), these changes would *not* change the system behavior or payout algorithms.

Psychologically, user expectations might be more sheltered and feelings less likely to be hurt.

Functionally, the meaning or semantics of a "Flag" would have to be defined. Would a flag "grey out" a post? Would it alert a "troll patrol" to investigate the content? I don't know, other than meaning that the flagger had observed something truly *abusive,* a *violation* of community standards (e.g., blatant plagiarism).

I defer to developers and coders to evaluate whether these three changes are *truly* minor, as I have no direct knowledge of the internals of Steemit system coding.

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<center><H3>~FIN~</H3></center>

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<center>**Thanks for your time and attention.**<BR>**You**  *are why I'm here on Steemit!<BR>I have very eclectic interests and hope, over time, to write about them all.*</center>

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<center><H4>⬇️To Check Out @creatr's World⬇️*CLICK* Each Image Below⬇️</H4></center>

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