I mean positions that I disagree with but make me think. This includes arguments that I had not considered that seem worthwhile to consider even if they aren’t persuasive, and posts where even if the conclusions are wrong use interesting facts that I wasn’t aware of, or posts that while I disagree with parts have other good points in them. Sometimes I will upvote a comment I disagree with simply because it is a demonstration of extreme civility in a highly controversial issue (so for example some of the recent discussions on gender issues I was impressed enough with the cordiality and thoughtfulness of people arguing different positions that I upvoted a lot of the comments).
In general, if a comment makes me think and makes me feel like reading it was a useful way to spend my time, I’ll upvote it.
Of all the votes I’ve given I don’t recall thinking my being hungry, or distracted, or etc. was a deciding factor, but those things are reasons as much as my sensible half-rationalizations that are also real reasons.
I mean positions that I disagree with but make me think. This includes arguments that I had not considered that seem worthwhile to consider even if they aren’t persuasive, and posts where even if the conclusions are wrong use interesting facts that I wasn’t aware of, or posts that while I disagree with parts have other good points in them. Sometimes I will upvote a comment I disagree with simply because it is a demonstration of extreme civility in a highly controversial issue (so for example some of the recent discussions on gender issues I was impressed enough with the cordiality and thoughtfulness of people arguing different positions that I upvoted a lot of the comments).
In general, if a comment makes me think and makes me feel like reading it was a useful way to spend my time, I’ll upvote it.
Of all the votes I’ve given I don’t recall thinking my being hungry, or distracted, or etc. was a deciding factor, but those things are reasons as much as my sensible half-rationalizations that are also real reasons.