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What I've noticed a lot on sites like HN and Reddit is that there's always heavy 'tilting'. If any comment ever drops below +1 (or below that of a different vie

by jorvi 9y ago

What I've noticed a lot on sites like HN and Reddit is that there's always heavy 'tilting'. If any comment ever drops below +1 (or below that of a different viewpoint, so +10 vs +1), people just blindly start ramming the downvote button without any thought, as if they aren't capable of analyzing the comment on its own merit because 'the crowd' has already decided for them and they take the path of least resistance in terms of mental effort. This is also why 'brigading' is so tremendously effective, you only have to tilt the balance a little bit and the crowd will take care of the rest.

Retric 9y ago
I am not sure how true that is. I have had many comments go negative and still end up positive. I think people are more likely to think about voting when they see a downvoted post. PS: I also feel some net negative posts are a good sign that someone is not simply voicing the crowd's opinions.
- dwaltrip 9y ago
  I've caught myself before sometimes being more careless with the downvote button if the comment was already grayed out. After I realized this risk, I now attempt to be more mindful. So it is a thing that happens, at least to a certain extent.
davnicwil 9y ago
For what it's worth, I always upvote downvoted comments when they are contributing something novel to the thread and/or taking a position which is explained and justified, and of course are civil. Even when I wouldn't have otherwise upvoted them, or when I don't agree with them. That's just to help get them back to neutral, and avoid their point being grayed out and thus probably more likely skipped over by others. I think everyone should be allowed to put across their point, and we all end up better for seeing those different angles. I quietly hope that others who agree with this also do the same, thus making the problem you describe a little less pronounced. We all need to play our role in creating the kinds of online communities we want to see.

by jorvi 9y ago

Retric 9y ago

I am not sure how true that is. I have had many comments go negative and still end up positive. I think people are more likely to think about voting when they see a downvoted post. PS: I also feel some net negative posts are a good sign that someone is not simply voicing the crowd's opinions.

dwaltrip 9y ago
I've caught myself before sometimes being more careless with the downvote button if the comment was already grayed out. After I realized this risk, I now attempt to be more mindful. So it is a thing that happens, at least to a certain extent.

davnicwil 9y ago

For what it's worth, I always upvote downvoted comments when they are contributing something novel to the thread and/or taking a position which is explained and justified, and of course are civil. Even when I wouldn't have otherwise upvoted them, or when I don't agree with them. That's just to help get them back to neutral, and avoid their point being grayed out and thus probably more likely skipped over by others. I think everyone should be allowed to put across their point, and we all end up better for seeing those different angles. I quietly hope that others who agree with this also do the same, thus making the problem you describe a little less pronounced. We all need to play our role in creating the kinds of online communities we want to see.