I would actually assume, that most people will downvote comments that are bad or don't fit the conversation. Or least that's what I am doing. Getting privilege

I would actually assume, that most people will downvote comments that are bad or don't fit the conversation. Or least that's what I am doing. Getting privilege of downvoting is not that easy to get and this weeds out a lot of trolls right there. When I see "Reddit style" comments, offensive, emotionally incorrect - I will downvote. If I don't agree on argument I will never downvote and if the poster is actually explaining himself well, will upvote. Same with people that seen their mistake and correct themselves - they always get an upvote to encourage them. When I see someone wrong, but can't be sure or the case is open for discussion I will never downvote and if I see at the bottom comment section such a post, that got downvoted without people actually giving reason why - I will upvote it. Its different to downvote comment like "Lol, tits or GTFO" and downvoting "I think Donald Trump would be better for Silicon Valley because: here insert 20 sentences of actually good ideas and thoughts". I cannot accept personally downvoting based on different way of seeing things. And while some of my comments might be sided - downvoting is not for expressing your agreement or disagreement on a matter as long as it is presented in "HN" quality style. edit: sorry for making this comment as "I am" "I think" "I do", but overall it was intended to describe of what I think downvoting is for in my opinion and opinion of few people on here that I know.