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I think the mentality that downvote = disagreement is widespread on any site with a karma/voting mechanism. Many subreddits themselves say right in the sidebar
by kup0 11y ago
I think the mentality that downvote = disagreement is widespread on any site with a karma/voting mechanism. Many subreddits themselves say right in the sidebar (and often elsewhere) that "downvote only if something is off-topic or does not contribute to discussion", but everyone still tends to use it that way.
So I think the issue is somewhat bigger than reddit or HN or even just a certain slice of users. It seems to be a fundamental problem in understanding up/down votes. Maybe psychologically we're inclined to downvote when we disagree, whether consciously or not.
I am also guilty of this even though I know better. It's hard to resist downvoting something I disagree with. It's like a natural response I have to actively work against.
Edits: grammar / clarifying wording
- ywecur 11y agoMy theory is that it's because it's to convenient. A solution could be to move it to next to the flag button, maybe? And also making it a bit more difficult to do, like requiring the user to input a reason.
- DanBC 11y agoI agree that some people will always downvote to disagree. (I do, but I'm trying to stop it (to the point where I'm going to greasemonkey a script to take the button away)). I also agree that people should probably not downvote to disagree. But also, when other people see a grey comment and they think it's unfairly downvoted they should supply a corrective upvote. I know some people on HN do this, but I get the impression that not enough people do.
- kstenerud 11y agoIt's human nature. If something offends you, you WANT it to be wrong/unfair/trolling. And so it becomes just that, and then your downvote is justified.