LOL. I just literally came back to life here on AFF and I was surprised that there was this commotion about buying upvotes? Well, I'm not going to lie. I know that it would appear as unfair to others, and I'm going to be completely honest, I own an advertisement shop myself and I had offered upvotes, although I never really asked for their personal reasons as to why they bought those upvotes.

I'm not really feeling guilty right now, heck you can bash me all you want, report my advertisement shop, DO IT! But here's the thing, life is unfair! I totally get it. Buying upvotes to get your stories featured is wrong, but heck, if you compare it in real life, are you any better? As a business graduate, I'd like to talk about this piece by piece. In my eyes, I took it as an opportunity -- a business opportunity. By analyzing the market and segmenting it via their (authors) needs and wants, as well as analyzing my competitors (other advertisement shops), I made my own ad shop and offered those upvotes as well because of "competition."

I may be going off on an absurd road here, but in a nutshell, it’s your broken idea of fairness that affects this whole issue.

We may have an innate sense of right and wrong, and we may expect the world to comply, like, be a good girl and you'll have some candy, but come to think of it, reality is indifferent! You studied hard, but you failed the exam. You worked hard, but you didn’t get promoted. You loved him, but he didn't return your calls. Ideally, can you imagine how life would be if it was actually fair for everyone? No one would fancy your first love or the love of your life for the fear of breaking your heart. Relationships would only end when both partners die simultaneously for the fear of heartbreaks. Businesses would only care about specific investors and whatnot for the fear of being unfair in competing against other institutions. Don't you think it's absurd?

Bottomline: Life is unfair, so just deal with it!

How do you think businesses grow? Do they just wait for the customers to come and go or do they / do they not advertise to get attention? Be symmetical people! If you own a business, would you just wait for the customers yourself? Won't you do something to give it more attention? It goes the same as the saying, "It's not all about money," when in fact, it is! Believe it or not, I have only realized this after I graduated, since I am now in the "real" world. To most of you, who I believe are still young, you might still believe that it is in fact not all about the money, but hey, talk to me after a few years and let's see for ourselves!

So yes! Don't get me wrong. I am not even aware that it was prohibited here on AFF as I have seen a lot of old advertisement shops before I made one myself that offered upvotes as well. These rules should've been made clear to all users here if that was really that big of an issue. If it was so wrong, then advertisement shops should've been brought down long before. More so, why not fix the system to stop all of those advertisement shops and just limit everyone to read and write. I somehow find it weird that this was only reported a few days ago when it has been happening long. And I am feeling sorry for the well-known authors today who have been getting hate from those who are not well-known. It's like, attack the big ones and all that.

In addition to my rant, I am quite feeling bitter to see some of the authors bashing others when they themselves have bought upvotes as well. Yes, you may have realized how wrong it is now, but wow, to cyberbully others for that matter? Nice move, mates!

Moreover, cyber-bullying is so wrong, people. I am very curious right now since I've been missing too much. I should've checked on AFF last week and bought some popcorn bec. I love dramas! So yeah. I'll shut up now. I think the matter was resolved although I feel really bad to those who had been bashed. They didn't deserve it. They simply took opportunities in their own hands and prospered. I don't see the wrong in that, and although I was never a fan of mass-buying, it's their choice. I doubt that you some of you wouldn't do it if given the opportunity.

Just to be clear, maybe it's wrong, but from my view point, please do make it clear to everyone to prevent things like this from happening in the first place. I'm not condemning anyone here, but do consider the future. If you really want to stop this, then do something about it, before another issue like this errupts in the future.

P.S. Bring me all the hate you want, but I would just like to make my point before I log out. I am sick of moping as well when bashed. Living in the real life made me grow, and add the fact that it's not like I'm going to be here for long anyways.

Just take this as a life lesson, maybe? Anyway, I rest my case. Goodbye people!