6 Using Rating Sites

The Internet has several types of book purchasing sites, arguably the most popular or widely known of which is Amazon.com.

I am locating the Leviathan by looking at other users ratings of book summaries and reviews. The Leviathan is the invible way that people and organizations enforce societal norms. In CMC, this is different than in face to face, in that the reports are more direct and less "social". An offense generally has to be "reported" in some manner, be it to the administrator, organization, or even other members (as in a MUD). Because this is CMC, this is generally always text or electronically based and there is some record of it.

On Amazon, users are allowed to give book reviews and summaries. In addition, and the subject of my discussion, is the fact that other users may rate these reviews. This is becoming a more and more common technique for guiding and encouraging helpful and positive reviews. Users rate reviews and reviewers based on the quality of their review or summary. On Amazon, this is a simple 1-5 rating, as it is on many other sites. Users reinforce constructive reviews with good ratings, and conversely rate lower quality reviews with lower ratings.

As far as I know, there is no reward system in place, other that the accumulation of stars on individual rates. Amazon might utilize the Leviathan more by giving a reward system for better review ratings. Also, they might consider using a multi-dimensional scale. Alas, I digress with improvements for Amazon. Back to the Leviathan:

I find that users are emphasizing the need for useful reviews and enforcing the "norm" or normative response (as our eloquent study put it) of posting these. This is purely "societal", for there seems to be no active administrative body or punishment system. The only punishment is in the fact that people will ignore reviews that are not of good quality.

I also note that the individual freedom of speech is given up or restricted for the good of the community of book purchasers. The proverbial eyebrow is raised when a rating is 2 or below. However, information is valued in reviews with ratings of 4 or 5.

Maybe, if I am lucky, someone from Amazon will read this post and learn to maximize the Leviathan to better their services or product. Maybe? Please?