I used "downvotes" to represent what they're meant to be used for here: "Is this content HN-worthy?" I keep an eye on my total karma because I want to know whe

I used "downvotes" to represent what they're meant to be used for here: "Is this content HN-worthy?" I keep an eye on my total karma because I want to know whether I am, on the whole, fitting in around here, and which comments contribute to that the most one way or the other. Speaking truth to power can be useful, or fun, but if you're saying things that aren't being heard, you're just wasting your time and everyone else's screen space. And some venues want the entertainment. That's signal in their world, and they deserve to have it.