Fudoshin

I read your post.

I'm arguing against downvotes site-wide

I upvote people I disagree with as much as people I agree with. Because I like being challenged.

You are precisely the person I'm arguing against. You use downvotes for disagreement (your second paragraph).

This hides comments, people rarely know why because their comment gets hidden by the influx of downvotes.

This has multiple effects:

• Radicalises and victimizes people. So they end up only knowing that their views aren't popular. Rather than adjust their views they're likely to double down. They aren't challenged. So they may seek out things like QAnon or anti Vax or whatever other echo chambers for their views to be validated. It's peer pressure without feedback. It's harmful.
• The very act creates an echo chamber by hiding dissenting comments under a pile of downvotes.
• As a result of creating an echo chamber you never have your own views challenged.
• It promoted low quality, repetitive humour. Have you not noticed reviews top 3 comments are always shit, predictable jokes and puns?

I'm aware I can't change everyone's habits but I personally will downvote except in rare circumstances and I'm explaining why.

P.S. if I strongly disagree with someone but can't be bothered to comment I just don't vote and move on. Sometimes I come back and explain. Downvotes are lazy and cause problems.

No. I disagree. I follow the old Reddiquette.

Downvotes are for obvious spam or irrelevant bullshit. Not for disagreement.

Following that role old Reddit was really interesting and you got some incredible discussions. Because everyone held to that rule you didn't end up with people trying to be funny for up votes. Instead of downvotes people would comment their disagreement.

It was the golden age of Reddit. I hope Lemmy could resurrect that but I don't think it'll ever come back.

Unfortunately this also results in echo chambers, where everyone agrees and that's bullshit. I think it's why corners like QAnon rose up. Instead of people visa being honestly challenged there shit takes were being diagnosed instead.

E.g. I have a genuinely unpopular opinion on here a while back. That ADHD and autism aren't real. That progress quirkiness is being pathologised.

I had the highest number of downvotes in the thread. But guess what?! The vet few people who chose to engage with my view changed my fucking mind! I also found out I should look to ask about diagnosis.

There's plenty of people out there with stupid views. Instead of downvotes then (which eventually hides the comment) they should be engaged and have their view challenged.

She's so fluffy! I just want to grab and ruffle her feathers! 🥰

I hope you threw that ball for him!?

Is that one of those strange hairless cats at the bottom? They're lovely but they're very strange!

They wanted pet pictures. Not porn stars!

I want a pet owl. Or several pet owls!

Dunno about anyone else but personally: I don't care because I can't afford food each month. Worrying where your next meal comes from focusing your mind somewhat.

It depends on the website hosting location. TOS,, users location and relevant international copyright treaties.

It's not a one-size-fits-all.

As a UK citizen I can't claim my (US) first amendment right to call you a "cunt".

It's against the website TOS and I'm not American.

Putting a license at the bottom clears any ambiguity.

Funnily enough you're only highlighting your own "Zoomer" naivety of law by making your "Boomer" comment.

Brutish missiles

Sounds like the average lemmy.ml user. Very quick to criticise the west. Completely 'objective' when discussing China.

That's not how public domain works.