I agree with your point that the karma system very much encourages blue/green type of thinking. After all, “what will other people think of me?” is a primal instinct that makes it hard enough already to post your honest beliefs, without the karma system compounding it by showing a number above every post that basically says “X people think you have shut up and not said anything” after you say something controversial.
On the other hand, you have to consider that calling someone’s point of view “horrifying” accomplishes the exact same thing. So I have to agree with others that it’s better to use a more neutral tone when disagreeing.
I agree with your point that the karma system very much encourages blue/green type of thinking. After all, “what will other people think of me?” is a primal instinct that makes it hard enough already to post your honest beliefs, without the karma system compounding it by showing a number above every post that basically says “X people think you have shut up and not said anything” after you say something controversial.
On the other hand, you have to consider that calling someone’s point of view “horrifying” accomplishes the exact same thing. So I have to agree with others that it’s better to use a more neutral tone when disagreeing.