this post was submitted on 30 Dec 2024
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I often think the place would be better with no downvotes.
If you think a post/comment is good, then upvote. If you think a post/comment is bad, then either get over it and move on or grow a pair and say why.
The freedom of expression means that you have to read/hear/see things that you might not like every now and again, but I'd much rather that than end up in another echo chamber.
Hexbear.net and a few other instances disable downvoting for similar reasons you describe.
From what I've heard, there are instances that don't have downvotes. People should be able to vote how they want. Could you imagine... wanting to tell people how they can vote? I certainly cant.
I'm not telling anyone anything, I'm just saying it'd be shame to end up in another echo chamber, despite the knowledge that I know other people are absolutely fine with that idea.
I agree. Hate to mention the R-place, but some of the subs there that only allow upvotes are a generally more positive place.
When your post is downvoted, you're sometimes left wondering why, and question yourself. That can lead to less engagement. Same can happen for disagreements of course, but at least then it's clear what the problem is.
Hexbear.net is nice for this.
I'm fine with seeing things I don't like or agree with if it is a fully formed thought, but I still think downvotes are a nice trap for lazy inarticulate people to feel like they are doing the equivalent of dropping a low effort flame comment while actually doing basically nothing. I have display of vote scores disabled and don't have to know or think about the approval of people who are only voting, which is nice. If they had something to say that isn't already fully communicated by the downvote button, maybe they would say it instead despite downvoting being an option.
Yep, downvotes are usually an "I don't know how to counter what you're saying but I don't like it" button.
But what I'm saying is, they are good because they likely deter toxic thoughtless comments.
They also deter good comments that go against the grain for an instance. Labeling comments as "toxic" even if they are fine but controversial isn't good. Such toxic comments can be reported and removed anyways.
I mean they deter comments from the people leaving the downvotes. Anyone wanting not to be deterred by downvotes can adjust settings to not see them.
I'd be fine with the downvotes if they were used as you described, but as there is no realistic way to stop people using them as an "I disagree/I don't like that" button which is in reality the way they are mostly used. I think we'd be better without.