a few members of our beltchecker community have taken to downvoting profiles with insufficient evidence to support the claims of belt rank and such made by the profile creator.

So, I find it fascinating that a few members of our beltchecker community have taken to downvoting profiles with insufficient evidence to support the claims of belt rank and such made by the profile creator. Upon reviewing these downvotes, I noticed that they seem to regularly come with a note clarifying the reason for the downvote; Almost always 'insufficient evidence' and an offer to upvote immediately as soon as proper photographic evidence and social media links are provided. Historically it seems that profiles with thin supporting data have simply been ignored. But now they are being outright targeted with an attempt to enforce compliance to add the supporting evidence. Very interesting. I have a few friends who have resisted setting up a profile on beltchecker because they find the notion of being 'verified' based on photographic evidence by people who they've never grappled with a bit dubious. I wonder if this new self-policing will increase their confidence in the quality of profiles here or if these dispute votes will have a discouraging effect for some who received them? I just find the whole thing quite curious. What say yee? BTW everyone has their own criteria for how they vote. I think this is part of the magic of how the system works.

Recent topics about this: https://www.beltchecker.c[...]7c4b5ae6ad https://www.beltchecker.c[...]7c4b5ad619

I understand the tediousness of multiple threads on the same topic. However, I'm not sure that either of the earlier forms got to the point of my question- Is this a good idea? Personally, I'm conflicted. I also understand and appreciate the value of quality documented profiles on the site. But, a dispute seems like it might be a bit heavy? Especially if it is coming from someone several ranks above you. Lots of points. I might find something like that a bit intimidating. But maybe I'm just old and soft.

I have given up on disputing and sending messages for members to add evidence to their profile. I just keep scrolling now. If they can't be bothered neither can I and that's ok.

I understand the tediousness of multiple threads on the same topic. However, I'm not sure that either of the earlier forms got to the point of my question-

Let's pour myself another beverage.

I, in fact, read this, got inspired, got up, walked to the fridge, and now I'm back with another tasty pale ale in my cup. :) Interesting to see how some members choose to use the dispute tool, that is of course the beauty of this system. Personally, while profiles with insufficient photos bother my OCD, I do not dispute unless I think there is something untruthful reported there. If people make a profile without pics & social media links etc., then they simply have to go by with votes from training partners that personally know them. Tends to take a longer time, but that is their choice. The profiles here are also public, so I respect people not wanting to share too much photos, social account set on public etc. online (even when they want to join the site).

BJJ policing on forums isn't new. A site dedicated to that sole purpose, maybe. Back when the online BJJ community consisted of BBForum sites like the Underground, In the Guard, NHBGear and (shudder...) Sherdog people were scrutinized much harsher than this when claiming a belt color that seemed even SLIGHTLY suspect. Hell, we organized trips to gyms on sites like this to belt check people. When I first started teaching at my own place I was belt checked by a student of one of the other gyms in the area. And I was happy to have had it done and am friends with the guy that did it. I like the idea of this site and the method in which it works. Accountability within our community shouldn't be left up to the IBJJF or any other single organization. There should be multiple paths of validation with differing methods for that validation. People that are credible in their promotions who don't want to (or can't) publicly post where they train don't need to sign up here.

BJJ policing on forums isn't new

Digital dojo storming! What a frightening and deeply fascinating notion. I find the idea somewhat appealing I think. What does that say about me? And I could not agree more about the value of this site.

LOL! And Slideyfoot, you are correct I forgot about Bullshido. Great site. I was on the In The Guard forum. I was an IT guy then, my first job being at American Online in 1995 so I was pretty well versed with bulletin boards and the like. When Sam Kim started NHB Gear and created a forum to, essentially, replace In The Guard I was helping him moderate it. That had to be around 2000 or so because I remember getting my blue belt shortly after.

Nice! Is Sam still around? I never posted much on NHB Gear, but it proved fairly important for me, as that's how I ended up connecting with Val Worthington and Chrissy Linzy. Hence why I then hung out with them in Virginia in 2014 (where a bunch of us also went to a Dave Jacobs seminar, RIP), who both gave a TON of brilliant advice about setting up a women-only class back when I was starting my school in 2014. Andrew Smith too, though I still haven't met him in person yet, hoping to do that when I finally make it back out to the US.

I still think 'Rolling in Richmond' is the best BJJ documentary ever made, bar none. So many NHB Gear people on it (and it made me feel like I was meeting a huge celebrity when I finally started hanging out with some of them years later, like Chrissy ;) ) - Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/w[...]mp;index=7 Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/w[...]mp;index=8 Part 3: https://www.youtube.com/w[...]mp;index=9 Part 4: https://www.youtube.com/w[...]p;index=10

Crap, I never saw that! I will have to watch those vids tomorrow.