Z Space Blog

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Why Review Scores are A Bad Idea™

I suspect some people may take notice of this some time, so I decided to answer the question pre-emptively:

Why don't any of your reviews contain scores?

Short Answer

Scores defeat the point of writing a review. My thoughts are not easily shoved into a numeric mold.

Long Answer

When you read a review for something, what matters? If you answered "score," you're wrong. Someone could post a negative review with a top score, or a positive review with an abysmal score. There are two primary questions that should be answered in every good review:

  • Would you recommend this product to someone else?
  • What reasons do you have to support your opinion?

It's really that simple. That's why a lot of sites have gone to "Yay" or "Nay" systems; they're simple and they allow for greater expression instead of mulling over which specific number to assign to it.

My reviews follow this principle. I urge readers to follow this elegant simplicity and do the same for their reviews.