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Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

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Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#11

Post by rokhayakebe »

cperciva wrote: post #2

In your opinion what is the purpose for the upvote and downvote? Upvote = "I'd like to see more comments like this". Downvote = "I'd like to see fewer comments like this". I don't think that people having different reasons for wanting more or less of a particular type of comment is a problem.

You are absolutely right, although it seems to me that to a growing number of users Downvote = "I disagree" or "Everyone is downvoting so I'll follow" or "You cannot disagree with this particular user so I'll downvote".

I think downvoting should not be. It is an unnecessary evil. A "dichotomy". Fighting for Peace using nuclear power. The best way to fight comments/posts that add no value is to Remain Silent. If you hit someone, there are very likely to hit you back, but if you ignore them they are more likely to take their rants and stories to Digg or somewhere else.

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#12

Post by jobeirne »

cperciva wrote: post #2

In your opinion what is the purpose for the upvote and downvote? Upvote = "I'd like to see more comments like this". Downvote = "I'd like to see fewer comments like this". I don't think that people having different reasons for wanting more or less of a particular type of comment is a problem.

Modified:

Upvote = "I'd like to see more comments like this" || "I agree with this".

Downvote = "I'd like to see fewer comments like this".

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#13

Post by rokhayakebe »

edw519 wrote: post #3

I almost never downvote. The only time I downvote is if something is extremely inappropriate, negative, trolling, or is degrading (IMO) to the quality of this community. I never downvote when I disagree. If I disagree, I reply with my disagreement. I wish others would too. Not much to learn from downvotes. Lots to learn from discussion and healthy debate. I upvote often, to anything that I think adds value.

Well said edw519. Silence is louder than Downvoting.

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#14

Post by parenthesis »

edw519 wrote: post #3

I almost never downvote. The only time I downvote is if something is extremely inappropriate, negative, trolling, or is degrading (IMO) to the quality of this community. I never downvote when I disagree. If I disagree, I reply with my disagreement. I wish others would too. Not much to learn from downvotes. Lots to learn from discussion and healthy debate. I upvote often, to anything that I think adds value.

That's pretty much my take too.

Although I would further add that I often take a particular pleasure from upvoting a comment that I disagree with, if it is suitably thought-provoking, challenging, and constructive.

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#15

Post by iamdave »

rokhayakebe wrote: post #11
cperciva wrote: post #2

In your opinion what is the purpose for the upvote and downvote? Upvote = "I'd like to see more comments like this". Downvote = "I'd like to see fewer comments like this". I don't think that people having different reasons for wanting more or less of a particular type of comment is a problem.

You are absolutely right, although it seems to me that to a growing number of users Downvote = "I disagree" or "Everyone is downvoting so I'll follow" or "You cannot disagree with this particular user so I'll downvote". I think downvoting should not be. It is an unnecessary evil. A "dichotomy". Fighting for Peace using nuclear power. The best way to fight comments/posts that add no value is to Remain Silent. If you h…

I disagree (although I upvoted your comment because it's a worthy contribution), if you're going to downvote a person at least share with us why you disagree and help us all glean some sort of understanding of your viewpoint.

No use adding flame infinitum.

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#16

Post by comatose_kid »

DanielBMarkham wrote: post #5

Downvotes without an explanation have no meaning. You should be required to explain why you downvoted. If a downvote means "I'd like to see fewer comments like this" -- then, why? What is wrong? Is it off-topic, rude, you disgaree, it used words you don't like, it ran on too long. What, what, what is the problem?!?! A downvote gives you nothing but some vague feeling that you broke some kind of social rule or norm so…

I don't think that you should be required to explain a downvote. This would result in a bunch of comments saying 'this sucks because...'.

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#17

Post by bayareaguy »

I think the problem is the interface forces the projection of two dimensions (agreement and quality) on to a single dimension (score).

Personally I think the upvote/downvote should be for indicating quality but there should be a separate counter for agreement that would not affect the overall ordering. A separate agreement counter would also allow for some interesting options such as showing the comments of people who tend to strongly agree or disagree with someone.

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#18

Post by daveambrose »

aneesh wrote: post #10
daveambrose wrote: post #9

I usually never downvote, but when there's something I blatantly disagree with, I'll downvote. I'll upvote for two reasons: 1. More HN readers need to see this. 2. Excellent point.

downvote != disagreement If someone says something I don't agree with, but says it reasonably and with some sort of support, I'll reply instead of downvoting.

Good point and therefore, upvote.

Re: Ask YC: Voting and Karma (Call to action)

#20

Post by mark-t »

comatose_kid wrote: post #16
DanielBMarkham wrote: post #5

Downvotes without an explanation have no meaning. You should be required to explain why you downvoted. If a downvote means "I'd like to see fewer comments like this" -- then, why? What is wrong? Is it off-topic, rude, you disgaree, it used words you don't like, it ran on too long. What, what, what is the problem?!?! A downvote gives you nothing but some vague feeling that you broke some kind of social rule or norm so…

I don't think that you should be required to explain a downvote. This would result in a bunch of comments saying 'this sucks because... '.

Actually, it would result in one person giving a reason and a bunch of people upvoting that. Whether or not that's a good thing is still up for debate. I do think people should feel compelled to give a reason, though.
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