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On HN, if you disagree with a comment, you downvote it and punish the author. (Or, at least, that is the common way to respond, and for good reason - the only "
by sam_goody 6y ago
On HN, if you disagree with a comment, you downvote it and punish the author. (Or, at least, that is the common way to respond, and for good reason - the only "disagree" button is the one that hurts the credit of the OP)
This especially hurts new commenters, whose credit is fragile (and who don't know the cap on down-votes). Which keeps the conversation "safe", and the lurkers quiet.
Cynical me thinks this is a reflection of a society that thinks we need to quiet (and punish) everyone who disagrees with them.
EDIT: Replaced "he" with a gender neutral term to be safe.
- jstanley 6y ago> (Or, at least, that is the common way to respond, and for good reason - the only "disagree" button is the one that hurts the credit of the OP) I don't think that's a good reason. You should downvote if you think someone is arguing disingenuously or otherwise writing nonsense that doesn't belong on HN. If you merely disagree, you should upvote instead, and articulate your disagreement in a reply.
- mellosouls 6y agoI agree with this. It's very frustrating to see people downvoted (even when I disagree with them) when they have articulated their argument eloquently or made an original point. It happens a lot here, and it doesn't reflect well on those doing it IMO.
- sam_goody 6y agoI agree with you 100%, and that is what I try to do myself. I think it is wrong of HN to not have a disagree but great comment button, hence my complaint about it reflecting a negative aspect of society. But, the common practice is to do as I described. Case in point, my comment was down-voted! I clearly agree with you, and am pointing out an unfortunate fact, but since someone don't like that fact, I lost a point.