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This happens here too. The downvote is a pretty big deal for such a tiny button. I'll admit to writing comments I never posted because I knew people would evisc

This happens here too. The downvote is a pretty big deal for such a tiny button. I'll admit to writing comments I never posted because I knew people would eviscerate me for going against the groupthink. It doesn't change my thoughts... I just don't say them "out loud".

mattgreenrocks 13y ago
I admit I enjoy inciting things on here sometimes, especially in the face of groupthink, perhaps so I can self-righteously claim that the groupthink exists without giving time to fully think through the opposing side. It can come off as aggressive, for sure. I do think a healthy community needs skepticism and introspection to remain that way. But I do think people unintentionally reinforce the notion of the status quo needs to be reinforced/destroyed, which can affect the types of thoughts you'd think about sharing with a group.
- jack-r-abbit 13y ago
  > I admit I enjoy inciting things on here sometimes Yes... there are times I do just say fuck it and post it anyway. HNKarma is pretty worthless after all. :)
sirkneeland 13y ago
Same here. Someday when I have a HN Karma score in the bazillions I will feel free to say what I really think. Until then I feel compelled to largely hew to the HN party line.
- declan 13y ago
  I hope this is tongue in cheek. Disagreeing with the majority your peers (as I've done frequently here) could still lead you the minority who agrees with you to upvote you. Unlike politics, it's not a winner-takes-all system. But more to the point, and the reason I hope this is tongue in cheek, I hope nobody here actually optimizes for or cares about a "HN Karma score in the bazillions." Last I checked you can't cash in HN Karma for a fiat $$$ check or happiness. There's a bigger world out there, folks.
alecdbrooks 13y ago
I don't think I've ever done, that, actually. More often I realize I'm not sure enough of what I'm saying or I'm not sure it hasn't been covered by other commenters. Maybe it's a personal quirk, but I find it easier to go against groupthink in writing.

mattgreenrocks 13y ago

I admit I enjoy inciting things on here sometimes, especially in the face of groupthink, perhaps so I can self-righteously claim that the groupthink exists without giving time to fully think through the opposing side. It can come off as aggressive, for sure. I do think a healthy community needs skepticism and introspection to remain that way. But I do think people unintentionally reinforce the notion of the status quo needs to be reinforced/destroyed, which can affect the types of thoughts you'd think about sharing with a group.

jack-r-abbit 13y ago
> I admit I enjoy inciting things on here sometimes Yes... there are times I do just say fuck it and post it anyway. HNKarma is pretty worthless after all. :)

sirkneeland 13y ago

Same here. Someday when I have a HN Karma score in the bazillions I will feel free to say what I really think. Until then I feel compelled to largely hew to the HN party line.

declan 13y ago
I hope this is tongue in cheek. Disagreeing with the majority your peers (as I've done frequently here) could still lead you the minority who agrees with you to upvote you. Unlike politics, it's not a winner-takes-all system. But more to the point, and the reason I hope this is tongue in cheek, I hope nobody here actually optimizes for or cares about a "HN Karma score in the bazillions." Last I checked you can't cash in HN Karma for a fiat $$$ check or happiness. There's a bigger world out there, folks.

alecdbrooks 13y ago

I don't think I've ever done, that, actually. More often I realize I'm not sure enough of what I'm saying or I'm not sure it hasn't been covered by other commenters. Maybe it's a personal quirk, but I find it easier to go against groupthink in writing.