says-us : Ratings and Reviews give us Knowledge

 

And From Knowledge, We Get Power!

We expect to be able to find peer ratings and reviews for jobs, employers, products, and services on the Internet.  These ratings and reviews empower ordinary people relative to owners and managers of corporations and other institutions.

But most rating and review systems are run by people with corporate and other institutional interests.  These systems are like privately owned and operated 18th century toll bridges, better than nothing, but of uncertain construction (Face Book & Google), with ulterior motives (Glass Door), and built for and dedicated to profit (Yelp).

Face Book’s and Google’s logic and algorithms are proprietary, secret, designed to monetize your life.  Glass Door is dedicated to helping employers to find employees.  And Yelp has been accused of removing negative reviews for advertising dollars.

People who rate and write reviews are taking the time and effort to inform the rest of us about their experience and the value that they did or did not receive.  They are helping us to get power from knowledge.

We propose the creation of a system for standardized and fair ratings and reviews, built with open and free software, without hidden agendas.  Users will be able to be anonymous, and we will integrate relevant writings and media with the possibility of taking further action (from anonymous complaint to coordinated action).

We will start small and grow based upon your support.