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Often, nothing at all is objectionable about a downvoted post. I've read many that are perfectly reasonable, intelligent and specific to an issue at hand, but t

Often, nothing at all is objectionable about a downvoted post. I've read many that are perfectly reasonable, intelligent and specific to an issue at hand, but they still get downvoted because they "went against" some particular hive mind tendency of the kinds of people who frequent this site and who were interested in that post. It's an irrational response in many cases, and an ironic one in your case because what you wrote sounded decently reasonable, while i've seen other comments on other threads recommend all kinds of questionable nootropic and hallucinogenic drug therapies for X and Y reason, with no discernible downvoting. Those were "correct" I suppose. Good idea: Don't write a comment with potential downvotes in mind. Use reasoned thinking, but also just say what you feel needs to be said and fuck the nitpicking you might get from pedantic idiots.

kcplate 2y ago
> Often, nothing at all is objectionable about a downvoted post. I've read many that are perfectly reasonable, intelligent and specific to an issue at hand, but they still get downvoted because they "went against" some particular hive mind tendency of the kinds of people who frequent this site and who were interested in that post For me, I simply refuse to trade in the comment karma currency here. It’s so wishy-washy. I may post a comment or opinion that HN hates, but I am not going to self-censor an opinion on a topic I want to share just because I think might be HN controversial and receive downvotes. Also, I specifically want to read a heavily downvoted comment because often there are sometimes interesting takes in there. Also the dimming to me is annoying, it’s akin to shouting down a speaker rather than using reasonable debate and conversation to explore a topic. Finally…I refuse to downvote any comment. Who am I to contribute to censoring a speaker for other people?
- southernplaces7 2y ago
  Agreed on all points, particularly about making a point to read downvoted comments because they might be unique takes. Because arbitrarily downvoted comments can become invisible or near invisible, on general principles i've never once downvoted one, even those whose opinions I absolutely hate, though I do sometimes upvote, like in the case of your reply, or, especially, comments that give me a good laugh or food for thought.

kcplate 2y ago

> Often, nothing at all is objectionable about a downvoted post. I've read many that are perfectly reasonable, intelligent and specific to an issue at hand, but they still get downvoted because they "went against" some particular hive mind tendency of the kinds of people who frequent this site and who were interested in that post For me, I simply refuse to trade in the comment karma currency here. It’s so wishy-washy. I may post a comment or opinion that HN hates, but I am not going to self-censor an opinion on a topic I want to share just because I think might be HN controversial and receive downvotes. Also, I specifically want to read a heavily downvoted comment because often there are sometimes interesting takes in there. Also the dimming to me is annoying, it’s akin to shouting down a speaker rather than using reasonable debate and conversation to explore a topic. Finally…I refuse to downvote any comment. Who am I to contribute to censoring a speaker for other people?

southernplaces7 2y ago
Agreed on all points, particularly about making a point to read downvoted comments because they might be unique takes. Because arbitrarily downvoted comments can become invisible or near invisible, on general principles i've never once downvoted one, even those whose opinions I absolutely hate, though I do sometimes upvote, like in the case of your reply, or, especially, comments that give me a good laugh or food for thought.