A lot of the recent "Don't be a jerk" thread [1] revolved around downvoting. What is the right way to use downvote privileges?
I see the reasons to downvote a comment as:
[1]https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8148068
Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
1–10 of 63 posts
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#2> C) When I upvote one thread and downvote the others my input seems twice as valuable
Wait, do people actually do this? (outside of Reddit, anyways)
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#3I am sure I missed some perfectly reasonable answers, so please let me know. I have only ever used the downvote button a few times, mostly for reason A, but there is also at least one out there that I would take back if that were an option.
I have also been downvoted myself, and I know that especially for someone with low karma it can be a real blow.
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#4> C) When I upvote one thread and downvote the others my input seems twice as valuable Wait, do people actually do this? (outside of Reddit, anyways)
I have no idea. I just spent a few minutes brainstorming for reasons why someone would use the down arrow. In general I have learned that if I can come up with something (even if it disgusts me), then there are at least a few people out there who will do it.
I also had at least one option that I considered adding to the list but didn't because I didn't want to suggest it as a possibility.
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#5I am sure I missed some perfectly reasonable answers, so please let me know. I have only ever used the downvote button a few times, mostly for reason A, but there is also at least one out there that I would take back if that were an option. I have also been downvoted myself, and I know that especially for someone with low karma it can be a real blow.
'E) I think someone said something factually incorrect'
Of course, one should reply with a correction, but in reality, maybe that's not always what happens.
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#6I am sure I missed some perfectly reasonable answers, so please let me know. I have only ever used the downvote button a few times, mostly for reason A, but there is also at least one out there that I would take back if that were an option. I have also been downvoted myself, and I know that especially for someone with low karma it can be a real blow.
'E) I think someone said something factually incorrect' Of course, one should reply with a correction, but in reality, maybe that's not always what happens.
If a comment really is factually incorrect then a downvote is appropriate, but some comments that at first glance appear to be factually incorrect are really just opinions.
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#7I like the reason "This doesn't add to the conversation."
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#8"Someone said something that actively works against improving the direction of the conversation."
This includes what I assume the "mean/racist/sexist" choice refers to -- obnoxiousness that raises the level of antagonism with no corresponding up-side. It also includes not only the useless comments (thanks, cool story bro), but also the kind of silly joke comments that invariably turn into threads where the participants are primarily showcasing their cleverness and entertaining themselves, rather than shedding light on the subject. Everyone is generally better off letting reddit be the designated location for that sort of thing.
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#9Unrelated - One thing I've always wondered. How does one create a poll?
Re: Poll: I disagree with you, is it ok to downvote you?
#10Unrelated - One thing I've always wondered. How does one create a poll?
If you have >200 karma, you can visit http://news.ycombinator.com/newpoll