Downvoting - what and why

[Malc]

Having seen some downvoting recently on this forum, I'm more than a little curious about why other members downvote a post or comment.

Are you willing to share your rationale? If you would like to comment on how your LDS faith informs your decision to downvote or not, I'd be interested in that too.

I'll start!

I don't recall downvoting in the past, though that may be more a function of my memory than anything else.

There's quite a lot that I disagree with - being an apostate on a largely believing forum - but disagreeing with someone per se is not, for me, a reason to downvote.

It's possible that I might consider downvoting a comment that I see as particulary nasty, but I've no ambition to be a forum nanny - more likely in a case like that that I'll try to respond with something positive, or, at least, mollifying.

If I feel a flash of anger at something I read, I may hold off a bit to see who else responds, and how, and as a result may refrain from saying anything. Certain others are much more eloquent and compassionate than I, so it sometimes pays to wait.

[Pyreaux]

Well, the ex-members californa boy and Teancum usually will downvote my social opinions or saying I said things I didn't say. So, I'd show my disagreement.

[Raingirl]

I occasionally downvote posts. Upvote usually means you like or agree with a post, and no one seems to have an issue with that. Downvote simply means you disagree or dislike a post.  No reason to get upset about it, it’s just the other side of the coin.  

Some posters do use the downvote as a personal attack.  I’ve never had any issues with the women on the board, but there have been a couple of the guys who will - after I’ve downvoted their post - immediately go back months or years into my posts to downvote multiple posts.  I guess they think this childish behavior will bother me.  🙄

[Peacefully]

I downvote when I think something is bordering on or crossing the line of racism, mysogyny, homophobia, or downright mean-spirited. This is a judgement call on my part, but the reaction is available so I feel free to use it, even if sparingly. If I just disagree with someone I either respond or scroll on by. 
 

oh, also someone being super self-righteous could get a downvote from me. 
 

I give many more positive than negative reactions. 
 

The church teaches us to stand for what is right so I’m sure that plays into my reactions. 

 

 

Edited October 26, 2024 by Peacefully

[Malc]

I just remembered that I may have downvoted a couple of comments in the past 4-8 weeks because I was seriously annoyed with the point being made, and the way it was worded. So my initial claim that I hadn't done so is probably not correct.

Or perhaps I "downvoted in my heart", and so am equally guilty as if I had actually done it 

[Malc]

51 minutes ago, Pyreaux said:

Well, the ex-members californa boy and Teancum usually will downvote my social opinions or saying I said things I didn't say. So, I'd show my disagreement.

And you would do so by downvoting their comments?

[Malc]

43 minutes ago, Raingirl said:

I occasionally downvote posts. Upvote usually means you like or agree with a post, and no one seems to have an issue with that. Downvote simply means you disagree or dislike a post.  No reason to get upset about it, it’s just the other side of the coin.  

Some posters do use the downvote as a personal attack.  I’ve never had any issues with the women on the board, but there have been a couple of the guys who will - after I’ve downvoted their post - immediately go back months or years into my posts to downvote multiple posts.  I guess they think this childish behavior will bother me.  🙄

Thanks. 

I can appreciate your viewpoint.

It surprises me a bit that a board member would go back to downvote comments that they didn't downvote at the time, but I'm happy that it doesn't upset you.

[Pyreaux]

2 minutes ago, Malc said:

And you would do so by downvoting their comments?

Yes. But not like outside the thread the downvote war started in.

[Malc]

13 minutes ago, Peacefully said:

I downvote when I think something is bordering on or crossing the line of racism, mysogyny, homophobia, or downright mean-spirited. This is a judgement call on my part, but the reaction is available so I feel free to use it, even if sparingly. If I just disagree with someone I either respond or scroll on by. 
 

oh, also someone being super self-righteous could get a downvote from me. 
 

I give many more positive than negative reactions. 
 

The church teaches us to stand for what is right so I’m sure that plays into my reactions. 

 

 

So, similarly to my motivation and actions.

I think I tend to be fairly generous with my upvotes, to the point that I've upvoted comments I've disagreed with (including ones in which the commenter has disagreed with my previous comment) if I think that the commenter has made a good point, or has expressed a PoV particulary well.

Actually, a couple of times I've attempted to run over an apparent limit on "likes" 

[Malc]

5 minutes ago, Pyreaux said:

Yes. But not like outside the thread the downvote war started in.

Thanks!

[JVW]

I downvoted on the OP because how could I not, it’s the downvote thread.

my normal usage of downvotes is if I think someone is being intentionally obtuse or is just being an arrogant d***.

I also like to downvote because I can, that’s why YouTube is the best social media site, because if you’re in a bad mood you can downvote whatever you want, it’s great.

 

People can believe in, and argue for, whatever they want, even if it’s all of the bad buzzwords like racist or whatever. We all come from different backgrounds with different views. But there’s a big difference between being humble and respectful vs being arrogant and awful. My two cents.

[Peacefully]

1 hour ago, Malc said:

I just remembered that I may have downvoted a couple of comments in the past 4-8 weeks because I was seriously annoyed with the point being made, and the way it was worded. So my initial claim that I hadn't done so is probably not correct.

Or perhaps I "downvoted in my heart", and so am equally guilty as if I had actually done it 

I’m giving you an upvote for your honesty:) 

[Calm]

1 hour ago, Malc said:

surprises me a bit that a board member would go back to downvote comments that they didn't downvote at the time, but I'm happy that it doesn't upset you.

It makes me laugh and feel a little smug to be frank.  I don’t intend to irritate people unless they have really set me off with a series of in your face arrogant posts, but if someone reacts in this childish way to my disagreement, I get a retroactive need to irritate (if that makes sense) and it’s very satisfying to see them waste their time, energy, and emotion in this harmless way. 

[Calm]

30 minutes ago, JVW said:

downvoted on the OP because how could I not, it’s the downvote thread.

Oh my gosh, now I am forced to do so because the universe calls for it.

[Malc]

30 minutes ago, JVW said:

I downvoted on the OP because how could I not, it’s the downvote thread.

my normal usage of downvotes is if I think someone is being intentionally obtuse or is just being an arrogant d***.

I also like to downvote because I can, that’s why YouTube is the best social media site, because if you’re in a bad mood you can downvote whatever you want, it’s great.

 

People can believe in, and argue for, whatever they want, even if it’s all of the bad buzzwords like racist or whatever. We all come from different backgrounds with different views. But there’s a big difference between being humble and respectful vs being arrogant and awful. My two cents.

That made me smile, JVW - thanks.

I didn't anticipate anyone downvoting the OP, but you're right - by its very nature, how could it remain unchallenged.

[Calm]

I downvote when I see posters cross the lines in the same areas as Peacefully does, the sensitive places…and it’s an obvious, intentional crossing.

I want to downvote when a post seems high end arrogant to me, but I mostly restrain myself because perhaps I just don’t know that person well enough and it wouldn’t sound arrogant if I did.

[Malc]

3 minutes ago, Calm said:

Oh my gosh, now I am forced to do so because the universe calls for it.

Sometimes we should perhaps ignore the call of the wild universe.

In his Grook to warn the universe against megalomania, Piet Hein says:

The universe may
be as great as they say.
But it wouldn't be missed
if it didn't exist.

[manol]

My perception is that downvotes are not very good at conveying information or intent.  I get the impression they can be misunderstood, and/or can hurt the feelings of the recipient, and tempting as it might be sometimes, that's not what I'm here for. 

Edited October 27, 2024 by manol

[Malc]

36 minutes ago, manol said:

My perception is that downvotes are not very good at conveying information or intent.  I get the impression they can be misunderstood, and/or can hurt the feelings of the recipient, and tempting as it might be sometimes, that's not what I'm here for. 

I believe that on some discussion boards they are weapons of war, with certain posters' posts being reflexively upvoted by their "friends", and downvoted by their "enemies".

I agree with you that downvotes are fairly "blunt" instruments.

Kudos for resisting the temptation to downvote if you think it could hurt the recipient's feelings.

[Peacefully]

3 hours ago, Malc said:

That made me smile, JVW - thanks.

I didn't anticipate anyone downvoting the OP, but you're right - by its very nature, how could it remain unchallenged.

I had to join the crowd, 😂 

[Dario_M]

Why is everyone downvoting Malc in his opening post? I hope that it is a joke. Otherwise i find it kinda sad for him. 😞 after all the work he have put into his interesting topic. Come on folks. 

[Rain]

5 hours ago, manol said:

My perception is that downvotes are not very good at conveying information or intent.  I get the impression they can be misunderstood, and/or can hurt the feelings of the recipient, and tempting as it might be sometimes, that's not what I'm here for. 

That's how I feel. I've also seen elsewhere that it can shut down diverse opinions. So I don't use them here. 

I upvote (or heart) for multiple reasons. Sometimes it is just showing appreciation for someone who takes the time to explain their opinion in a well thought out way even if I disagree with them. Somes because they said what my heart feels.  And so on.  I've noticed that sometimes people will take issue with me or others upvoting their opponent.  If they can misunderstand an upvote they can certainly misunderstand a downvote. 

[Calm]

6 hours ago, Peacefully said:

I had to join the crowd, 😂 

Though I feel the need to go back and upvote several of Malc’s posts so it won’t deflate his total rep points, lol

Edited October 27, 2024 by Calm

[Calm]

2 hours ago, Dario_M said:

Why is everyone downvoting Malc in his opening post? I hope that it is a joke. Otherwise i find it kinda sad for him. 😞 after all the work he have put into his interesting topic. Come on folks. 

It is a joke.  JVW mentioned he did it because the opening post obviously needed it given the title and then I had to because it just seemed perfect and someone else feels the same, I guess.   

Malc knows I like his posts lots if he actually pays attention to rep points.  If he doesn’t pay attention, it won’t matter.   

[Calm]

2 hours ago, Dario_M said:

Otherwise i find it kinda sad for him. 😞 after all the work he have put into his interesting topic.

I will make it up for him later.   Bedtime now.