I generally hold off on downvoting any posting I’m publicly engaging with. It feels too much like discussion as a fight, in which I am armed not only with the Broadsword of Argument, but also the Flintlock of Karma.
When I downvote anything, it’s for more than just simple disagreement, but something beyond that: insults, persistence in refusing to read background information, etc. I’ve even upvoted things I disagreed with, for making an argument that was worth making, if only to see it refuted, and I’ve downvoted things I agreed with, on grounds such as triviality or irrelevance.
ETA: I also never mention any specific up or downvotes.
I generally hold off on downvoting any posting I’m publicly engaging with. It feels too much like discussion as a fight, in which I am armed not only with the Broadsword of Argument, but also the Flintlock of Karma.
When I downvote anything, it’s for more than just simple disagreement, but something beyond that: insults, persistence in refusing to read background information, etc. I’ve even upvoted things I disagreed with, for making an argument that was worth making, if only to see it refuted, and I’ve downvoted things I agreed with, on grounds such as triviality or irrelevance.
ETA: I also never mention any specific up or downvotes.