Objective versus Subjective Lists
admin We allow subjective lists on the site and will delete lists that are purely objective. If you get what we mean by that, then you don't need to bother reading further.Perhaps the best way to describe what we mean by this is to define the terms in question.
objective:not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased
subjective: Particular to a given person; personal
When referring to an objective top ten list, what we are talking about is a list where there is a correct ordering of the items. For example, a list of the all-time best selling albums in the UK is objective because the items in the list and the order they are ranked in is based on real world sales numbers.
A subjective list is one where there are no universal right answers. For example, our list of the Greatest Guitarists Ever is purely subjective because people have differing opinions on how to judge greatness.
Because of the ranking system used by TheTopTens, only subjective lists make sense for the site. When voting comes into play, objective lists become incorrect as people inject opinion into fact.
This also applies to lists that are personal to you. There have been a few times where we have deleted lists along the lines of "John Doe's All Time Favorite Movies". While this list may appear subjective, the true test of subjectivity is whether or not a list can be incorrect. In this case, voters can rearrange items on the list so John Doe's favorite movie is not longer at the top or they can add movies that John may not even like. In this way, the list has become incorrect.
So before taking the time to add a list to the site, ask yourself whether or not it is a good fit for a democratic voting system.
Comments
what the hell is written here give some easy rules dude
- visitor
hell yea dude
- visitor
what the heck that really hellped m thank you admin - visitor
I think the rule is pretty easy, but if it isn't clear, maybe some more examples would help. In each of these examples, the
objective list is not a good fit for the site because there is a correct ordering of the items in the list. Because the ordering of items in lists on this site are determined by votes, on lists where there is a correct order, the voting functionality of the site can makes these lists incorrect.
Example 1:
Objective list: NFL Quarterbacks with the Most Touchdown Passes
Subjective List: Best NFL Quarterback of All Time
Example 2:
Objective List: Top Ten Best Selling Playstation 2 Games
Subjective List: Most Entertaining Playstation 2 Games
Example 3
Objective List: My Favorite Michael Jackson Songs
Subjective List: The Top Ten Michael Jackson Songs
Example 4
Objective List: Top Ten Longest Led Zeppelin Songs
Subjective List: Top Ten Led Zeppelin Songs That Should Be Longer - admin
huh??? - blindsk8ter
subjective lists may become incorrect, actually many lists here are not saying the best but they have favored their favorites and support them - ronluna
if those subjective and objective lists is being stated as above then what is going on with those objective japanese lists when the item is increased by popularity? i'm not a biased here but i noticed that x-japan is almost dominating the top of all lists that are particular to them. i'm the only person voting for bands that i feel that is cool and someway im very annoyed that there are group of people are just very biased voting for the same artist over and over again, one vote for a day, then they vote again - ronluna
im so confused -_- - joeysbabygurlx3
Me too. - pizzza
i wasn't as confused when i started reading as i am now. - I<3Queen
Nice name. I am also confused. But I <3 Queen too. Freddie forever! - visitor
i agree with Queen you make no sense fool - visitor
whattttt - visitor
these are good examples - visitor
I agree. These are good examples. (Which is subjective.) - visitor
so if i want to do be songs about cheating, what can i call it to make it appropriate? - starstrukkatheart
im confused!!! so what can i call "best cheating songs eva" to make it appropriate? - starstrukkatheart
"Best Songs About Cheating" is an acceptable list because it is based on opinion, i.e. subjective. - admin
still confused - momamouse
Sounds like objective equals fact based statistics and subjective equals an opinion based response, however, an opinion based response (subjective) can be offered without prejudice and unbiased (voting for a singer that you don't like but recognize the quality of the singer anyway for example). Without prejudice and unbiased above equals objective, I'm confused ! - ekos
Ekos, the concept of quality is still subjective. Continuing with your example, it is true there are singers more deserving than others to be considered the greatest of all time. Celine Dion certainly has more vocal ability than Bob Dylan. But then, how do you separate the cream of the crop? How do you sort artists like Celine, Whitney, Groban, Orbison, and Pavarotti?
People aren't going to have the same interpretation of quality so even if you try to vote without bias or prejudice, not everyone is going to vote the same way. You may vote for someone based on your definition of "quality", but someone else of similar tastes may consider whether or not they like a singer to factor into their definition of quality and vote differently.
Ultimately, what makes the list subjective is that there is no absolute correct ordering. Unlike a list of best selling singers where there is a fact based statistic behind the ordering, on the list of best singers it is possible to make equally compelling cases to place a number of different artists at the top of the list. - admin
thanks. - booklover1
Seems pretty clear. - visitor
okay
:) - visitor
okay - MosesG20
um I will try to do... well can you make it simpler?... I mean we can add any list without any offensive words or slangs rright? - visitor
didn't understand a thing... - visitor