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You threw insults at whoever downmodded you -- you baselessly asserted that they're ignorant, hiding from their feelings, and only downmodding you because you m

You threw insults at whoever downmodded you -- you baselessly asserted that they're ignorant, hiding from their feelings, and only downmodding you because you made them uncomfortable. That's a pretty dramatic reaction to someone taking away some of your imaginary internet points. Sure, it's not complaining or whining per se, but it has exactly the same effect -- whining and insults are, by their nature, intended to provoke an emotional reaction, and so drive the conversation further away from calm & reasonable. And calm, reasonable conversation is what sets HN apart from the rest of the 'net. Nice tu quoque, by the way ("...less boring...").

chc 14y ago
There was nothing to disagree with. What I said was entirely factual. The only conceivable reason to downvote without comment (aside from being utterly irrational) was being upset by those facts. And yes, I was upset — that people were reacting out of ignorance. It wasn't that I was downvoted, but what the downvotes signified, so I wanted to particularly call attention to the secondary issue I had observed.
- EvilTerran 14y ago
  Okay, fair enough. I've let frustration at people on the internet adversely affect my replies far too many times myself. I know XKCD is terribly cliché, but I've taken to keeping "Internet Argument" [http://xkcd.com/438/ http://xkcd.com/438/] in mind. I find it helps ... ish. I agree with the nobility of wanting to call people on inappropriate downmodding ... it just doesn't usually work as an edit to the downmodded post. No matter how hard you try, it'll almost always sound like either whining or agression. Just like trying to point people to the guidelines almost always sounds like rudeness or condescension. Sometimes you just can't win. ;) ... you know, on any other online community, I'd expect us to be flinging crap at each other like angry monkeys at this point. Even the disagreements on HN are refreshing. Peace.

chc 14y ago

There was nothing to disagree with. What I said was entirely factual. The only conceivable reason to downvote without comment (aside from being utterly irrational) was being upset by those facts. And yes, I was upset — that people were reacting out of ignorance. It wasn't that I was downvoted, but what the downvotes signified, so I wanted to particularly call attention to the secondary issue I had observed.

EvilTerran 14y ago
Okay, fair enough. I've let frustration at people on the internet adversely affect my replies far too many times myself. I know XKCD is terribly cliché, but I've taken to keeping "Internet Argument" [http://xkcd.com/438/ http://xkcd.com/438/] in mind. I find it helps ... ish. I agree with the nobility of wanting to call people on inappropriate downmodding ... it just doesn't usually work as an edit to the downmodded post. No matter how hard you try, it'll almost always sound like either whining or agression. Just like trying to point people to the guidelines almost always sounds like rudeness or condescension. Sometimes you just can't win. ;) ... you know, on any other online community, I'd expect us to be flinging crap at each other like angry monkeys at this point. Even the disagreements on HN are refreshing. Peace.