Timeline for An idea to discourage excessive anonymous downvoting
Current License: CC BY-SA 3.0
7 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Oct 11, 2013 at 12:27 | comment | added | J.R. | @Mari-LouA - I don't disagree with any of that. However, I was addressing your comment – specifically, how you wondered aloud about high-ranking users who were simply politely presenting the other side of the coin. That doesn't mean "they prefer to downvote answers without leaving explanations," or that "none of them wants to be subjected to criticisms and hence prefer anonymity." | |
| Oct 11, 2013 at 11:06 | comment | added | Mari-Lou A | (cont'd) A comment explaining why will not only help the user but also to visitors/readers who might not understand why one question has been voted lower than another. Especially if there is a difference of two or three votes. Knowing where is the mistake is HELPFUL. Ask any language learner. It's no good saying that's something is wrong and not explaining why. | |
| Oct 11, 2013 at 11:03 | comment | added | Mari-Lou A | @J.R. I understand there are times when it would be pointless to leave a comment, there are times when a user becomes overly self-defensive and this may lead to an endless stream of bickering. If a user refuses to admit there is a "problem" or his/her answer is inaccurate there's not much anyone can do. But I'm sure there are cases where there are users who receive downvotes and are bewildered or confused and believe, rightly or wrongly, that the community is downvoting them and NOT their answers. | |
| Oct 10, 2013 at 16:25 | comment | added | J.R. | @Mari: Those are unfair criticisms, I think, and it seems like you're jumping to conclusions – especially w/ (c). I suspect just about everyone agrees that spiteful downvotes are unhealthy, and that downvotes with a comment can be more helpful than downvotes without. But not every silent downvote is done with malice, and, more importantly, even if the current system has some flaws or weaknesses, a change wouldn't necessarily bring about an improvement. Coerced comments may deter downvoting, but would that be desireable? The prospect of downvotes inspires some to submit higher quality work. | |
| Oct 10, 2013 at 15:15 | comment | added | MrHen | Minor clarification regarding (d): I don't mind criticism; I actually enjoy criticism and will seek it out from people whose opinions I trust. I am actively avoiding drama. The rest of your points/questions have more or less be addressed elsewhere in this question's answers and comments. If you still want to discuss we can hop over to English Language & Usage Chat. | |
| Oct 10, 2013 at 7:06 | comment | added | Mari-Lou A | It is telling that (a) all three answers are from members whose rep points are among the highest, (b) all three are saying that anonymous downvoting is not a problem, (c) they either imply or declare that they prefer to downvote answers without leaving explanations, (d) none of them wants to be subjected to criticisms and hence prefer anonymity. Whose criticisms do they want to avoid, the answerer/the OP or the community's? And if several downvotes from an individual are unmerited and done in spite? Do those types of votes help make the site work better? | |
| Oct 10, 2013 at 2:47 | history | answered | MetaEd | CC BY-SA 3.0 |