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Often times it is not even a mistake. I have been downvoted before with an on topic valid point because some people might not have agreed. I don't mind that, so
by specialp 8y ago
Often times it is not even a mistake. I have been downvoted before with an on topic valid point because some people might not have agreed. I don't mind that, someone can read it and judge for themselves. I personally only downvote comments that are factually incorrect, rude, or off topic. If someone does post something that is wrong they can reply and say hey sorry about that I got that wrong. Deleting posts ruins all context.
- kreetx 8y agoIf someone appears to be unduely downvoted I just go and upvote plus add a comment to bring it back up again. And by unduely I mean when I haven't the slightest idea why the downvote is for. I.e I don't upvote those where someone voiced his/her opinion by downvoting -- regardless where I myself stand on the issue.
- iamben 8y agoSame. One of the best things about HN is the discussion. When others downvote because they disagree, people end up afraid to share an unpopular opinion.
- rusk 8y agoNot only that, but you'll often find that some potentially valuable counterpoints to the discussion get downvoted to the bottom where they can't be read. Sometimes greyed out. Sometimes flagged. Such comments are effectively buried anyway so may as well delete ...
- dragonwriter 8y ago> but you'll often find that some potentially valuable counterpoints to the discussion get downvoted to the bottom where they can't be read Yes, they can. Even if they are dead, if the reader chooses to see dead comments.
- rusk 8y agothat's just stupid
- alehul 8y agoSo true, and the lack of Reddit-style doenvoting for disagreement is what has made HN so special to me. With all the polarization and the HN population growing, however, 'bad downvotes' seem to be increasing. I don't find myself agreeing over the downvoting of every grey comment like I used to. Many are clearly not based on 'not adding value to the discussion', but instead 'not adding the value I want to hear.' I remember, actually, what really piqued my interest with HN on my first visit. I saw a front-page article with a couple climate change deniers, and they were upvoted, along with the other side of the debate! Would that still occur now?