Downvotes attract other downvotes - which doesn't say much for the quality of our, much trumpeted, gregariousness. A downvote is when someone doesn't like your

Downvotes attract other downvotes - which doesn't say much for the quality of our, much trumpeted, gregariousness. A downvote is when someone doesn't like your opinion but they can't be bothered to discuss the issue. So a downvote is often a sign of disrespect and can be safely ignored. Surely not everyone here is American - me for instance. If you don't get the nuance right then they can tell you - that way both parties learn something. The following phrases are contradictory btw, thus: "I genuinely want an argument to clarify my thoughts" "HN isn’t the place for arguing- at least not for me"