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> Please don't bait other users by inviting them to downmod you. I'd say there is usually at least one post per comment page starting with "I know this will be
by nickolai 16y ago
> Please don't bait other users by inviting them to downmod you.
I'd say there is usually at least one post per comment page starting with "I know this will be downvoted, but ...". usually with 15+ points...
- DanielBMarkham 16y agoWhich is different from baiting. If you say "I know this is going to be downmodded" you're saying that you realize you are taking a contrary opinion. If you say "Downvote me all you want, you bastards, I'm still telling you the truth whether you like it or not" you're baiting. It's an important social skill to acknowledge that something you're saying might be offensive. Lots of times I realize that I'm being undiplomatic, but can't come up with the right words. A disclaimer like that can help keep the thread from descending into flames.
- nickolai 16y agoI disagree. For what I understood, downvoting should correspond to irrelevancy, not disagreement. So I would interpret this disclaimer as "I know that what I say is irrelevant , but..." - wait, why are you saying it then? Nothing wrong with an "I know some people may find this offensive" disclaimer though.
- larrik 16y ago"Should correspond" and "does correspond", in this instance, are not similar.
- JoachimSchipper 16y agoI know this will be downvoted, but saying "I know this will be downvoted" still gets you points. At least, I catch myself thinking "I am stronger than groupthink" in response. Be honest: didn't you? I agree that it can be genuinely appropriate, but let's not pretend it's not effective. ;-)
- gjm11 16y agoFor exactly this reason, I have a policy of always downvoting comments that make such comments. Including yours; sorry. I wish enough other people had such a policy to make I-know-this-will-be-downvoted-but an unappealing option.