No Cera in this one....I sincerely promise!!

ANewBadlyPhotoshoppedPhotoofMichaelCeraEveryday

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So, I usually just post badly photoshopped images of Michael Cera everyday....

But today something happened that affected the lives of thousands, if not millions, of people either directly or indirectly, and I didn't feel that would be appropriate.

Many people wanted to show their support for France at this time, and many images similar to this one were posted

It was meant by most (if not all) to be a sign of solidarity and support for friends, family, fellow Imgurians and/or just strangers with whom they wished to express their sympathy and well wishes.

Those posts gave rise to a lot of posts and comments with the following sentiment....

I'm not calling these people out, and I can totally understand why people feel that way. In some cases, it may even be true. But how can we truly then express ourselves on Imgur where everything we post is approved by a point system?

So how about this? A "sincere post" option?

At the moment, you can select a mature option when you post to user sub? How about adding a "sincere post" option. (It can be called whatever....this is just putting an idea out there.)

So why would this make a difference?

Well, all upvotes received for this post would not affect your reputation. It would still follow the same path as all posts, but the positive points would not count as reputation gained. I honestly think this would make most users a lot more comfortable, or at least give an option to be sincere when showing support for whatever cause they are trying to bring to Imgur's attention. The borders could be a different color to usual posts and possibly a different color upvote arrow...maybe blue or something?

tl;dr OP has an idea for option to opt out of receiving reputation points when we post something we really are not trying to gain fake internet points for?

But, am I trying to get whole lot of points for this idea? No, in fact, if you like this post and upvote it (or even if you downvoted it) please take the time to downvote my 2 comments in the "bad replies" section below. Ill take a negative hit for this to hit front page.

Sincerely,
ANewBadlyPhotoshoppedPhotoofMichaelCeraEveryday

#peacefor France

wastedlander

*sin-CERA-ly

10 years ago |

killthebaddies

And they could donate the extra points to a worthy casue, like the children who need likes so that they can get their life saving operations

0xFFF1

~~~@cera~~~ @sarah, pls.

117

TheMaleTinaBelcher

Anything someone posts is basically them asking for attention but it's everyone else's decision to choose recognise what they're saying

WhenIGrowUpIWannaBeDoctorWho

Yes

SendMePicturesOfYourDog

@sarah

CaibreGreyblade

I, for one, am on this with our badly photoshoped overlord.

I post things because I want to make people laugh.. not for the points

retgarr

I think you should do a Cera post today. A Cera-less imgur is what the terrorists want.

sweetfumblebee

I got rid of most my social media and I wasn't even aware of anything that happened til 3:30 Saturday afternoon. :( Posting does help.

ithrashanus

This is a really nice idea. Good on ya, Cera.

Jubblybubs

I think this is a great idea. We feel genuine and deep emotions and posting to social media is a healthy way to express these and 1/2

foresthillsbob

I don't even know how many points I have, I just like being here

Burnmad

Cera's hat should be blue, white and red in your posts for a while.

poopbubble

I like you OP

gammaraycharles

I like this idea but I'm still searching the post for Cera...

250

VeryMagical

I have respect for the guy for being serious for this one.

anon2424

You are not the only one

cocapoda

I found him!

ATalkingMushroom

i SAID BASICALLY THE SAME THING AS YOU, AND i GOT -60 POINTS. aND COUNTING.

Imgur confuses me.

Strangedays2024

I checked every image twice just to be sure.

Hey, I found him for you!

I'm mildly impressed by your dedication to humor.

BarryBenson

Was I the only one looking for a hidden Cera?

RemainsspacebarUnknown

i honestly dont see why its a big idea. personally idc how many points people or i have, i dont upvote comments / posts. i just pass time.

ImAnFBIAgentBooBoop

You don't partake in the upvote economy?! You shameless commie.

honestly i think people use it too much, if they dont like a personal opinion its downvoted to hell... why? just leave it. 1?

instead use the downvotes to downvote straight up hate comments. upvote is fine. upvote funny stuff.

Eipi

Tbh I never cared about imgur's "reputation". I don't even remember what's mine. To me the upvotes means your content will be more exposed.

Exactly....so the upvotes will still get you exposed....but for those that do worry about points....this would prove your post to be sincere

TheCanadianNerd

Alan used to pick FP content, gave community choice, we keep track of the points pretty much to see who's more active. They mean nothing.

via reputations. Hell, wanna make points mean something, you could give them a new purpose. Rewards like customizable comments or something.

DragonLordG

I like to think of them as power levels. Right now, you'd be able to fight, but would lose to, Nappa.

LosLocosKickYourAss

You are at idolized. You're welcome :)

sassynpretentious

I agree with the concept, but how crappy is it that good, supportive content is considered point whoring?

Not all is....but this way? None would!

The8obman

I'd like to take a minute just sit right there and I'll tell you how ANewBadlyPhotoshoppedPhotoofMichaelCeraEveryday got a job at imgur

thedarksideoftheforce

I like this post. I like you OP. When this settles, can we have more cera?

Cera will resume soon....but I feel there needs to be a moment of respect for the fallen.

I agree. I'm here for france and I hope they recover soon.

levieuxquicrisesarace

It's never about points http://31.media.tumblr.com/04179971bde7213e1424c0450963626f/tumblr_n61dnqyCCz1shio1vo2_400.gif

clowndickfart

If you don't want to make someone an upvote whore just don't click the green arrow. Problem solved.

136

calyxium

Sometimes you want to upvote for awareness/support but don't want to reward pointwhores. This is a good idea.

fathersisterberzerker

Not sure you grasped the problem discussed in this post.

By not upvoting the posts never get to see the light of FP and our fellow users in France would not see the support shown.

Yeah but the many many images on the FP show that people do care about this situation. But is it genuine?

Oh I hear you on slacktavism but this place's currency is points. Imgur market works ok. Not perfect but good considering the openness.

Can you imagine if all the FP posts today had not even a single hint of point whoring attached to them?! That would really be something!

Which is why by simply removing points for certain posts, it would reveal people's true intentions.

allwayscurious

I would love to know someone's true intentions. I just think this level of authenticity requires a certain amount of self understanding.

racerxonclar

If your first thought is "oh they're just doing it for points", then you sir are the one that cares about points too much

Yeah. Each on imgur has the power to give me -3 on this post alone. But I care for the points on this issue....

Technically more than 3 with all the Comments you have added

There you go. Even more options to DV my rep.

Crackmuffin

Agreed. Btw I keep looking for Cera in this post. Neeeever know.

Occifer

Yeah seriously I was checking for Cera everywhere, the 'front page screencaps', the images of france, everything. I'm a little disappointed!

I can assure you there is none. But I understand the trust issues associated with this username. ;)

@OP LIES!

"photoof" ;)

Hmm. Just this once..I'll trust you :p

Til we meet again!! ;)

AgentYork1337

I read that Til as Today I learned. Imgur has ruined me.

deadlyDouche

I can't help but like this guy.

booneht

I love that idea, please do Imgur!

tjshuman

*Spends 20 minutes searching every inch of the photos just to make sure*

DevilsAdvocateAndLegalAdvisor

I like this idea a lot, but what could we do if people abused the "no points" system to post trash/offensive material without consequence?

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guantanamobayxx

Downvote to hell obviously

htmlman1

Why not just set up a threshold for downvotes/reports? Let a "sincere" post lose its status after a certain amount of flak.

Downvotes would still cause posts to get removed. Just as they do now.

348

thistheshitthattheywant

Watching every reply for a badly photoshopped photo of Micheal Cera

But would those downvotes count against their reputation? They could troll post ad infinitum with no negative effects to them.

GaryFreakinOak

We still have a report system. Report insincere shit.

ChancesAreIHateYou

I do that all the time anyway. -20s 5 times a day is only -100.

FerretYawns

I would like to think that you would get reported for mis-marking content like mature posts. Also, downvotes means it won't see the FP still

Well that's what we could discuss. I don't have the answers. But I suppose people could take that risk. Possible negatives with no +1s?

ZaWithDude

Or maybe, you can up and downvote, but they would only apply to zero out the score? Or maybe just no votes at all. Just: I saw this button.

True, if the post had positive points, nothing; if it had negative, those would count against you. No points for altruism only.

It's a great idea and I hope it happens, I just didn't think it through completely. It's still too early on a Saturday...

kriositivity

Maybe if downvotes were spotlighted on sincere posts it would deter downvotes. Ex. Listing usernames on a side bar.

derwulf

That would be the opposite of what's intended, we're trying to prevent trolling sincere posts.

Why are points are so important to people?

1724

LuckyICantSeeFarWithThisLeg

Said the person with 474 points.

hannibal1barca

And who cares if other people get points, it doest take them away from me

Because we all seek validation that other people agree with us/like us/think we're funny.

usuallyjustalazylurker

What are points?

moldyhands

You can use them to purchase more internets.

KingGoose

Validation.

chesterfeildsofa

When we were kids, all our video games ran on point systems and we fucking ate that shit up. We're all grown up, so (1)

everything now runs on some kind of point system. You get groceries, gas, fastfood etc. most places also have (2)

a "Rewards" program. Life is now a fucking video game, only instead of our initials for the high score we get a headstone. (3)

yOuShOuLdPiCkAuNiQuEuSeRNaMe

Cus loser in real life, God on the internet

UneasyPartnershipOfCoyotes

Good point bro. I wouldn't down vote you either way.

CrimsonChin05

because people suck...

allaboutthatactionboss

Why are points so important*

CormacLynch

I'm in competition with a friend

Do you have a bet together? Like whoever gets the most points the other person buys them a cookie?

Nah its just for bragging rights.

TheGuyWithaName

I would reckon part of it has to do with instant gratification.

Ooooohhh that's good. That internal push for immediate satisfaction, hot damn!

FernandoRumdebum

If it's not points, it's number of friends, retweets, etc. it all equals popularity, and to a lot of people that means FAR too much

TheFinalDoctor

why are trophies?

IAmFaucetFailure

One of the few notifications I get on Imgur recently informed me I'm now an "Accepted" Imgurian

SomeGuyWhoSaysStuff

Point mean that someone enjoied my posts or comments in some form. It makes me happy knowing that I did something to brighten someone's day.

Stillthinkingaboutit

Asking the real question here.

Love your user name fellow ponderer @stillthinkingaboutit :)

BoozeHound001

Fake internet validation that makes them feel good?

I can see that, sometimes with the suffering that people face everyday, a little validation from a stranger can go a long way

clearbrook

Are you asking this if the people using the posts to get points or the ones or the ones trying to call them out?

Yes. There's a value that is placed on something that gives a user no tangible value.

It's like having a pocket full of sand, but it's important because it's YOUR pocket full of sand

The responses have been fascinating

mousemarie94

It's an embedded part of the community.

Cucumberismynames

Impointant*

MPSFroggy

Imgur give this man a job! Wait judging by character he already has a great job. Hopefully.

whatspaulplayingtoday

Because it validates an existence that some people can't find in other areas of their lives. They might be suffering at work, and this helps

Good point, sometimes it's the little things that help us get by

hiperson134

I don't understand either.

Mcnk

Because we ahunters and collectors

Interesting thought, each individual determines the value of points

thefatlonelyjew

You wouldn't understand

StooperDave

because their lives are so sad and lonely they think the internet is serious and not just a porn delivery service.

maniacalmacaroni

http://31.media.tumblr.com/11bf2191ed9acaf9589d31ccff5d6508/tumblr_mq3zck2F7c1s5hut9o1_500.gif

Bricmpt

BINGO!

ErrantTerrain

They're not important to everyone but most people tend to think that getting points is the only reason some of us post things when it's not.

Which is why the option to opt out of points would be a good idea?

EternalSenshi

Blah, I feel the same with PSN trophies, etc. I'd love to opt out.

I think so. You have my support.

Mohead12

Because people are stupid and seek the approval of their peers so badly that they will go after imaginary points that make no impact on life

ButtAmbassador

Except an upvote means someone agreed with you, laughed with you, or even smiled. Points are worthless, but they mean a lot sometimes.

And sometimes all it takes is a user name to make you giggle - here's lookin' at you @ButtAmbassador

WeAreOne

I've been on here for 4 years and rarely post or comment. I don't care about them. I just enjoy the laughs and the feels.

Riding that imgur rollercoaster :)

Yep!

cboxchamp

People act like they could put fake Internet points on their resumes

Why wouldn't you? You should. Maybe.

I stopped with the smart Internet comments after I caught flak for putting I was TIME magazine man of the year in 06

wth? I say you one the cover. You were great.

DeliriouslyFunkyPriest

"We want to be somebody in this world, we want to be a force to be reckoned with, each and everyone one of us does not have the same (1)

desire or passion or pursuit but each one of us has that innate desire that we want to be somebody. We pursue things, we pursue people (2)

we pursue situations all in an attempt to amass that status that; I am somebody."

flamingflamingo

Part of it is the imgur community "religion", where upvotes are basically precious, and FP is the holy grail. I look at my oldest post, and>

I see how I was when just getting into the community. I was guilty of considering these important too, but it's so pathetic.

You be you flamingflamingo :)

Waddafaq

idk, why dont you tell us now that you have a few more? :P

Points don't do anything for me, I was curious so I asked a question

yoshi

ego, lack of self worth, boredom

thk5013

Why are you on imgur?

Because despite the horrid community and the points not mattering, it still has the best UI for browsing images.

TheFourthLaw

Mostly for the lulz.

I agree with @TheFourthLaw, it's fun. Plus I love that the content is generated by users in a very visual format.

ByThePowerOfSCIENCE

Interacting with people, knowing things, laughing, seeing pretty things.

AcadianBacon

I think it's incredibly naive of people to think that the points don't matter. We're social animals, this feeds that part of our brains.

Several others have mentioned acceptance and validation. Are you thinking more of solidarity?

You mean about reasons for the points mattering? Yeah, I think validation is a big factor, it's like when you like a game and someone 1/2

you need to validate your purchase/decision on this game. Gaining and losing points here is the same, though on a smaller scale.

says they don't think it's good. Really, what they said is their opinion and isn't fact so it doesn't matter, but it makes you feel like 2/3

Kinda got a little messy there with the numbering, but hopefully I made sense and didn't sound like I was blabbering.

No worries, I get that it stings a bit to like something and hear another person say it sucks...

hetriedtokillmewithaforklift

Big penis.

kissmyassets

Really? On a post like this? Take your disrespect elsewhere.

Excuse me? I am pretty sure there was no disrespect against the Paris shooting meant. All I was saying is that Imgur points are worthless.

Still... Disrespectful. Big penis? On a post about the france attacks? Whatever. Defend yourself all you want. You are still a good person.

But some ideas are just genuinely pure hearted and it sucks to be called an upvote whore for really trying to show some form of kindness.

433

DavidBowiesBulgeInLabyrinth

Thank you op. The grief is overwhelming. For me it has absolutely nothing to do with recognition. I just need to express myself. Simple.

People expect a lot from you and will assume your intentions. I'm sorry that your true feelings were dismissed by bias.

Actions speak louder than words. Do a good deed without trying to get attention for it. That's the answer here.

Thanks for speaking up. Some might call you a hypocrite, since you started a trend, but you're using your imgur celebrity to spread a >

positive message. I saw an actual Parisian poster actually get accused of whoring for upvotes when he posted about his situation last night.

veganfortheanimals69

Its the internet....always a bad apple somewhere!

Points = recognition. Everybody want to be recognized for what they do. That's life.

792

Ihmhi

I wasn't expecting this level of introspection from the guy who does silly Cera Photoshops. Respect.

BenderBenderBender

I understand your intent with this idea, but couldn't "making it to the FP" be just as much motivation as points in being recognized?

That's a different issue. This just gives people a chance to post a sentiment without being accused of trying to whore for points.

somethingsomethingjojoreference

The same principle follows for the terrorists; they want to be remembered and eventually get their way.

Bigbadsmell

"Love yourself foo" - Mr. T

9 years ago |

Ialwaysupvotefood

Somewhat true. I feel its very true for this post though.

PinkiesOutnStuff

Who are you?!?

TheLaughingGod

in my line of work getting recognised would be extremely detrimental

It's like Facebook likes and gold stars in kindergarten. It feeds our reward systems.

Sorry @kriositvity I responded to the wrong comment, I can see how points would be treated the same as gold stars. Excellent observation

True. With this post it sounds like you were hoping to create a different type of recognition.

codexdelux

Well, if you make OC; Points = entertained people. The more are entertained by your effort the more inclined you are to put in said effort.

If you are making OC to entertain yourself and just want others to see points don't matter. If you are doing it to entertain other they do

2/ but if they rule your life and you count the day's til you are "accepted" or something, you're a fucking twat:P

WTFIJustRead

Soo you say..

Maybe for some people, but I could have a million points or 0 points and it wouldn't make a difference to me. They literally don't matter

suddenlybeagles

*They literally don't matter to you. Remember your bias.

I'm with hiperson134 on my attitude towards points. @suddenlybeagles you make an excellent point, thank you

This thread is too civil for my liking. Somebody riot.

Palfrost

I like when my posts get points, but it seems totally absurd to me to post just to get points. I also don't understand when people call 1/?

each other out about posting for points, it's really not the first thing that comes to my mind. When I see a shitpost I'll think of a 2/?

hundred things before "fuck op, he's just doing it for the points!!". I just don't get the madness about them.

insegrevious

Imgur doesn't understand up vote down vote. Worst community out there that has rep/status.

NightDany

Not really. I have 16,892 points, nobody knows who I am. Only the people who do funny stuff like yourself get recognition.

[deleted]

10 years ago (deleted Nov 21, 2015 4:50 PM) |

i would :c

DunkeyonMaster

I can understand that but why would anyone care about being recognized on imgur where most people upload stuff by other people

handsMoleman

People used to say that about hip hop / rap artists, or DJs sampling others' music. It's about putting existing content in a new context

i dont think thats the same as reposting

Depends. If it's a straight repost with exact same title then I agree, but sometimes different title can completely change things

@handsMoleman and @DunkeyonMaster I hadn't even considered this perspective, thanks for bring it up!

DickDraper

YOU'RE GETTING POINTS FROM THIS!

Yeah.....if people followed my suggestion I would be LOSING points for this.....I had 2 comments to downvote. +1 for Post -2 for comments

Thank you for responding. You're right, transparency is important, and the allure of points can really distract from a sensitive issue.

Can't tell if I like the Cera or Travolta trend more.. CAN YOU COMBINE THEM?!?! (2/2)

I know, I was just joking. Also super jealous at how awesome your cera posts are.. YOU GET ME EVERY TIME! (1/2)

enigma1235

Shit I used to think you're just a guy who can photoshop pictures but now I get the feeling that you're something more.

198

Arlok

the hero we need ...

NotReallyAzul

But not the hero we deserve?

postbluex

THIS

MichaelBay

I did the same once, and people spread the rumor I was more than a Explosions freak, a human or something. JESUS!

tanebou

He's really 7 squirrels in a trench coat.

helpusdrzaius

A girl? Wait no, that is usually something less when judging purely on volume and mass.

Abso

Two guys?

104

WesternerWithInternetAccess

I was all serious thinking how great of an idea this is and how it's true, Cera guy really is something more.. Read this, bust out laughing

IAmTheBadW01f

Two midgets in a trench coat

DemographicUnknown

A litter of kittens in a trench coat?

Fleury08

Two Brothers

usernameschmoosernamelosername

I think I love you +1

TheAmericanMacho

And half a guy?

PhysicsAndRomance

You might even refer to them as men.

thundrabolt

Men, men, men, men, manly men men men.

So, I usually just post badly photoshopped images of Michael Cera everyday....

Many people wanted to show their support for France at this time, and many images similar to this one were posted

Those posts gave rise to a lot of posts and comments with the following sentiment....

So how about this? A "sincere post" option?

So why would this make a difference?

Comments (632)