Objective versus Subjective Lists

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 on Objective versus Subjective Lists

“what the hell is written here give some easy rules dude
”

anonymous

“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

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