How do you feel about internet ratings?

Youtube comment and video ratings, forum post ratings (like here on Giant Bomb), game modding communities, and even within games like Little Big Planet and Far Cry 2.  Lots of sites allow users to anonymously rate threads and comments and information, but I feel it leads to abuse more often than any kind of real information.  Many forums turn into a popularity contest (either hate or like), and I never feel it adds anything to any internet community.  What are your thoughts?

Yeah I really don't see a point to them because in a forum you could just quote the post you don't like and tell people why you disagree with it.

i just rated you and gave you a +1, are you happy now??

"i just rated you and gave you a +1, are you happy now??"

Some people are dicks and will abuse the system. Welcome to the internet. And mankind.

I dunno, on youtube when a comment gets marked down enough I think it becomes hidden to everyone.  On this site I just +1 someone's post if I agree with them but don't feel I need to make a whole new post saying I agree.

"Some people are dicks and will abuse the system. Welcome to the internet. And mankind."

It's nice to have people's opinion voiced, sadly it gets abused.

"Fr0Br0 said:

"Some people are dicks and will abuse the system. Welcome to the internet. And mankind."

I think the system gets more abuse than it helps anything.  Why have a system that ONLY allows for abuse?"

I miss Youtube's "show" button that appears on a comment with more than 6 thumbs down. I liked seeing what the person said. Now it just gets removed completely if people disagree with it.

I really really like the Rooster Teeth method of using the ratings, I wish GiantBomb had that.

"I miss Youtube's "show" button that appears on a comment with more than 6 thumbs down. I liked seeing what the person said. Now it just gets removed completely if people disagree with it."

Most people on the internet do not put much thought into ratings. Go onto iTunes. Every album by any band that got anywhere will be loaded with 5 star reviews. I really only listen to friends and critics for recommendations. People who like to be "loud" on the internet about their opinions are often not the intelligent ones. The internet is also a magnificent echo chamber. Because of this most rating systems are broken when the community has influence on them.