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this post was submitted on 22 Oct 2023
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Asklemmy
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Wouldn't nerving downvotes/dislikes make it harder to voice your option freely? It's the easiest way to signal if you dislike something (And ofc the other way around with upvotes). But if you make it harder to do that, you'll suddenly have a lot of people that just don't bother. That will create a false sense of acceptance of whatever has been said and will make it easier to create echo chambers.
But isn't it ambiguous what a downvote means? Did they not think it was relevant, did they not like the opinion, the tone, the style of phrasing, etc. etc.? Or are they saying you're factually wrong (which is also another way it gets used)? Also a downvote may not be interpreted in the same way that the downvoter intended. I think it's better that people just say what they think.
Also, if they can't be bothered to properly express their opinion, is it really that important? I think the default sense is indifference not acceptance. Anecdotally speaking I've observed that echo chambers have only got worse since voting has become a thing.
Couldn't that be said about upvotes as well?
Also: Nobody owes anyone anything and that also goes for explainations on up- or downvotes.
I think the same could be said for upvotes as well - I remember the days before upvotes or "likes" were a thing and I don't think their invention ever really improved anything. I'm mostly talking about downvotes because that's what the topic is about, and maybe they are more likely to contribute to a negative atmosphere.
Yes, nobody owes any kind of response, but if you're using it as a form of communication why wouldn't you want to make sure you're understood in the way you intended?
But there's there's already a way to clarify what your downvote means by just writing an additional comment.
But maybe someone doesn't want to clarify because they feel like it's not worth their time. Or maybe they disagree with everything and don't know where to start. Or maybe the just want to say "I don't like that" and that's it.
Conversations are a two-way process requiring effort from both sides to work well. If they feel like it's not worth their time I would rather they just didn't engage in the first place. Like you said they're not owed a response, that also means you don't have to give one.
But what If I don't want to have a conversation? Sometimes I just want to signal to someone that I don't like what they posted.
That's quite a negative interaction though isn't it? Can you think of a real life equivalent expression of a drive-by downvote that wouldn't be considered rude?
Also, why do you think they would care what you think if you're not going to engage more? If I have a comment that gets lots of downvotes and no other engagement, it's hardly going to change my view, all I'll think is "people around here aren't very friendly". I think it just contributes to a hostile atmosphere online (and don't get me wrong, I've been guilty of doing it too).
I don't think downvoting a post without an explanation is rude. It's the most basic way of saying: "I don't like this".
But to answer your question: Literally showing someone a thumbs-down.
They should feel free to ignore Downvotes then (or disable them in their client)
Of courses it won't, but I don't care. If I cared I'd write a comment.
I think the equivalent would be walking up to someone who's talking, telling them to "shut up", and walking off without explanation (let's say this is at at a setting like a party where you're invited to interact but are under no obligation to).