I think the idea is that downvotes require a minimum level of karma (and thus ideally habituation to Hacker News norms around not simply downvoting content that

I think the idea is that downvotes require a minimum level of karma (and thus ideally habituation to Hacker News norms around not simply downvoting content that you disagree with). But... I don’t always see that being applied. I regularly upvote graying content that I vehemently disagree with if the commenter is making an earnest point in a respectful way. I do sometimes wish that the downvote button came with a selection box for what norm was being violated, because I think downvotes should require more thought and carry a little more friction. That said, a friend asked me just yesterday if HN was the last place on the Internet I still comment, and I realized it is. On balance, I find the discourse and application of voting to be generally acceptable and better than other forums that I’ve mostly given up on.