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^ If this site is for pundits in English, then Its not place for me. I believe its not only for pundits but absolutely for learners:

Tour says:

English Language Learners Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for speakers of other languages learning English.

It is clear it's for someone like me.

Here is my issue:
I have asked a question which got 2 UVs and 1 DV. The question is not worthy to get upvote unless it is edited by some great people (some high rep users edited and made post more clearer). Also, its not worthy to get downvote after such good edit (IMHO).

Importantly, a moderator suggested to edit the title, a high reputation user edited to make it more clear, but an anonymous (sorry, I don't know who) user gave downvote after such clear post (IMO).

This is one of those things that doesn't take a lot of discussion/belabouring in my opinion.

But at the same time, it is not the way to welcome a new user, isn't it?

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  • We say "someone," not "some one." Apart from that, edits are made to make a question more clear. Suppose a new user comes and puts tags which seems appropriate to him/her, but, in fact, it might not be a proper tag. Another instance, suppose a question is not cleat at all, users don't know what an OP is asking, this will likely to get downvotes and getting closed, unless someone else comes along and makes an proper edit(I am not talking about your question, but in general). :)
    – Usernew
    Dec 9, 2015 at 7:38
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    "Pundits," not "pandit." and "It's," not "its." I didn't edit your post here so you will understand some minor mistake and learn a thing or two. :) peace out!
    – Usernew
    Dec 9, 2015 at 7:49
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    I'll just say this for now: This is a site where learners and pundits help each other out. The site isn't "for" one group or the other, because each group needs the other to make this work.
    – J.R. Mod
    Dec 9, 2015 at 8:49
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    Ravan your question doesn't make sense. It's like asking 'who are the apples for?' The apples are for anyone that wants to eat them. Stack Exchange is meant to be an interactive library. If someone doesn't want to use it, they're free not to, and if someone wants to use it fairly, no one should stop them from doing so. As for voting, downvotes and upvotes are just indicators of the post's quality. In an ideal world, they should only be aimed at content, not person. So you can be a pundit, and you can be a learner. You're a mere stranger and your contributions prove who you are.
    – M.A.R.
    Dec 9, 2015 at 10:02
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    @Usernew I have no objection if someone edit my post, I not even bother about that (atleast in this post) :)
    – user27383
    Dec 9, 2015 at 11:01
  • @Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. Your comment doesn't makes sense to me tbh. As J.R pointed, this site is for both. I agree. How can you expect super good content from a learner post? His (learner) post need some edits or something to make it more clear (or atleast to get the content which you are saying). It can be done without downvoting, correct?
    – user27383
    Dec 9, 2015 at 11:06
  • @Usernew Please see here en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandit . Also the so called Pundit originated from pandit en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pundit :)
    – user27383
    Dec 9, 2015 at 11:07
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    What part of it do you deem nonsensical? All I'm saying is that SE is meant to be a source of information ultimately. You may or may not want to use it and that's irrelevant to your being a linguist or a novice learner. And let's make our case clear: Are we talking about why you got downvotes? Or if this site's for novices or experts, the answer to which was stated in my previous comment? You're mixing two factors that are irrelevant. A novice learner may come up with a very good and thought-out question, while a rash expert will only confuse the poor learners further with bogus remarks.
    – M.A.R.
    Dec 9, 2015 at 11:15
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    So I understand if you're upset about a downvote, but that's not relevant to your being an advanced learner or beginner, nor to your being a new or veteran user. The only real reason behind the downvote can be explained by the person who downvoted. And you made it clear: "This is one of those things that doesn't take a lot of discussion/belabouring in my opinion."
    – M.A.R.
    Dec 9, 2015 at 11:18
  • @Ϻ.Λ.Ʀ. yup, I clearly mentioned the last line to avoid discussions like this. Anyway thank you :)
    – user27383
    Dec 9, 2015 at 11:20
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    pundit is derived from the Sanskrit word pandit. Someone learned in both the languages know the difference! :) @Usernew However, in this case, you are right! :)
    – Maulik V
    Dec 11, 2015 at 6:10
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    Ravan, use 'pandit' when you mean the one who does 'yagyas' and 'poojas' i.e. a brahmin. Use 'pundit' when you want to call someone 'master' in something.
    – Maulik V
    Dec 11, 2015 at 6:14
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    Native speakers have no idea about Hindu rituals and know the word only for its meaning of 'mastering something'. That's why they think 'pandit' does not exist! Not their fault! :)
    – Maulik V
    Dec 11, 2015 at 6:17
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    @MaulikV thanks =), I know both English and Sanskrit, that might be the reason, I used the word interchangeably :) I will try to refrain from using it (atleast with native speakers) =)
    – user27383
    Dec 11, 2015 at 6:18
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    I never even read the Vedas.
    – user15474
    Dec 25, 2015 at 5:04

1 Answer 1

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Upvotes and downvotes are personal opinions. However, in almost all cases, many agree on one point and thus, you see more voting on either of those sides (up or down).

The question is not worthy to get upvote unless it is edited by some great people (some high rep users edited and made post more clearer).

Not true. Questions get upvotes if they are worthy, not who asked or edited them. Yes, editing play some role but then it is only to make the question clearer. At times, the original posters need support to put their concern in appropriate words. This has nothing to do with great people or users with high rep. I've seen and approved many new users who edit questions (including my questions!).

I suggested to edit the title because you clarified that your concern is to find polite or less severe version of 'none of your business'. The title with just 'Why for you' did not serve the purpose then.

Clear titles are important here because ELL is a highly reputed website cached by search engines in a very short period. It comes high on SERPs when you search for any English language question. Imagine these two cases:

The original question as it may appear on search engine result pages:

Why for you

I'm not sure googling which 'query' would bring that up.

And, after edit...

Softer, politer synonyms for 'It's none of your business'

This might show in results if people search for alternative, softer version, more polite way to say 'it's none of your business' or queries the like.

And, for this sake, why simply search engines; the new users do such searches on ELL as well (a local search).

Better title, easier search, great results!

So, as I see, there are two concerns of yours that I try to answer

a) editing is suggested/done in the interest of the community

b) editing a question does not ensure any 'shield' to downvoting. Editing just clarifies the question further with better words, formatting or sentence structure

About reasons of downvoting, why don't users leave comment after downvoting -they all have been always moot points here.

You may read J.R.'s answer here. You may find it helpful as a new user to this site.

I personally find this site for learners to make them pundit!

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  • Well, @Maulik, Here I used the term great people but that is not equal to high reputation users (IMO). instead I mean some one. Yes questions get UV if they worthy but I mean, my original post hasn't unless edit. I appreciate you for suggesting to change title, because I myself felt the title is not a proper one. "the original posters need support to put their concern in appropriate words" yeah, I remember, the edit is after my comment, to provide context which was deleted by mod.
    – user27383
    Dec 9, 2015 at 7:21
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    btw I really like your last punch line :)
    – user27383
    Dec 9, 2015 at 7:22
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    No problem. Good that you discuss/suggest/ask here before reacting. Personally, I've learned a lot of things here (not just language!). I understand all such concerns like yours because I've been there! Happy learning.
    – Maulik V
    Dec 9, 2015 at 7:28

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