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I sometimes both downvote and reply when I feel that it would be helpful. At other times, the comment is self-evident as to why it was downvoted (and/or already

by biot 10y ago

I sometimes both downvote and reply when I feel that it would be helpful. At other times, the comment is self-evident as to why it was downvoted (and/or already has replies from others) and a reply only adds noise instead of signal. The signal I'm adding is "-1 fake internet points".

vmateixeira 10y ago
Ok, I can see your point but why downvote other than leaving it as is, for the reasons I wrote down below? Edit: The reasons I wrote as a reply to user projectramo
- biot 10y ago
  If nobody downvoted, then the author of the comment would be unable to distinguish between "the community doesn't value my comment" and "my comment was ignored". A downvote sends a clear signal vs. a lack of signal which is important to establishing/maintaining community norms. If we didn't have that signal, there might be reddit-style pun chains on HN and new users who see that might think it's accepted by the community since those threads are indistinguishable from other comments due to the scores being hidden. Seeing comments downvoted to grey is an important signal. Of course, replying is also a signal but it's not appropriate in every circumstance. It's redundant when sibling comments provide correct information vs. the downvoted comment's incorrect information and an in-context reading of the thread will make that apparent. Or when the downvoted comment is flamebait/trolling and you don't want feed the trolls. Or when the comment clearly doesn't fit the community norms. And, most importantly, I have neither the time nor the inclination to reply to every comment on HN offering constructive feedback so I pick and choose carefully when I do that... as I'm doing here. Long story short, HN deemed it acceptable to allow users with a minimum karma level to downvote. It's a feature, not a bug, and as long as it's used with discretion it sends a valuable signal to the comment's author. That feedback mechanism also confers positive benefits to the entire community.
  - vmateixeira 10y ago
    There were a few points you mentioned I wasn't considering altogether. You made it very clear. Thank you for you input!

by biot 10y ago

vmateixeira 10y ago

Ok, I can see your point but why downvote other than leaving it as is, for the reasons I wrote down below? Edit: The reasons I wrote as a reply to user projectramo

biot 10y ago
If nobody downvoted, then the author of the comment would be unable to distinguish between "the community doesn't value my comment" and "my comment was ignored". A downvote sends a clear signal vs. a lack of signal which is important to establishing/maintaining community norms. If we didn't have that signal, there might be reddit-style pun chains on HN and new users who see that might think it's accepted by the community since those threads are indistinguishable from other comments due to the scores being hidden. Seeing comments downvoted to grey is an important signal. Of course, replying is also a signal but it's not appropriate in every circumstance. It's redundant when sibling comments provide correct information vs. the downvoted comment's incorrect information and an in-context reading of the thread will make that apparent. Or when the downvoted comment is flamebait/trolling and you don't want feed the trolls. Or when the comment clearly doesn't fit the community norms. And, most importantly, I have neither the time nor the inclination to reply to every comment on HN offering constructive feedback so I pick and choose carefully when I do that... as I'm doing here. Long story short, HN deemed it acceptable to allow users with a minimum karma level to downvote. It's a feature, not a bug, and as long as it's used with discretion it sends a valuable signal to the comment's author. That feedback mechanism also confers positive benefits to the entire community.
- vmateixeira 10y ago
  There were a few points you mentioned I wasn't considering altogether. You made it very clear. Thank you for you input!