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Ask HN: Down-voted comments

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Re: Ask HN: Down-voted comments

#21

Post by ABrandt »

...could this be the warning signs of YC news starting to become reddit ?

I hate to pick at straws here, but this single phrase has been repeated across HN threads for years. No, we are not becoming reddit. Some past references:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1420440

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=258551

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=560517

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1110251

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=572808

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=144390

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=235490

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=508028

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=926604

Some of these go back as far as 2 years ago (I'm sure theres earlier examples out there as well). I think edw519 explained it best with his graph here: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=926644

Re: Ask HN: Down-voted comments

#22

Post by binspace »

ecaron wrote: post #8

Do you have any specific threads to point to where you're experiencing this? I actually find that a lot of my comments get upvoted when they're out-of-line with the majority, but provide good counter-arguments. (I find that in-line-with-majority comments get overlooked.) So, if you'd share some examples, that'd really help for backing/refuting your conjecture. Looking at the threads you've been downvoted for ( http:/…

I don't find his comments out of line and deserving a downvote. My question is what purpose do downvotes serve other than allowing frustrated readers to retaliate against a "bad" post? > a lot of my comments get upvoted when they're out-of-line with the majority Your arguments have to be better. Simply stating differing opinion and anecdotal evidence (not always invalid) will often result in a downvote. I would find it more useful if the topic were explored, rather than censored.

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Bummer, this story got censored. I think this is a good discussion. Obviously there are some unhappy people.

I wonder if there are any sites that do not have downvotes. Honestly, the lack of a downvote button really attracted me to Hacker News. It's a shame it's being liberally used.

* Sorry about the double post. I was not able to create a new post.

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