I’m very curious about the reasoning different people use when deciding to downvote a post or comment. Often, when something gets “heavily” downvoted, the OP will ask some variation of “why the downvotes?”. This is sometimes answered with sincere criticism, but sometimes is received even more poorly than the original offending post.

Do you downvote people who ask “why the downvotes?”? What informs the decision?

  • TubularTittyFrogEnglish
    1·
    6 days ago

    or the comment is just stupid and irrelevant.

    or it puts forth a argument that’s coherent but ultimately stupid theorizing, like conspiracy nonsense does.

    both which i guess fall in the ‘bullshit’ classification.

    I too sometimes ask about downvotes on other people’s comments, but it feels a bit like bursting into a room and asking everyone to stop and take a survey so I try to be judicious about it. Usually it’s pretty self-explanatory but every so often I come across a real mystery.

    • Mothra@mander.xyzEnglish
      2·
      6 days ago

      or the comment is just stupid and irrelevant.

      This would be the second category I mentioned, an inappropriate or rude comment.

      or it puts forth a argument that’s coherent but ultimately stupid theorizing, like conspiracy nonsense does.

      This would be in the first category I mentioned, a factually incorrect comment

      I see you replied to me but quoted another user, and I’m not sure I understand the relevance of the quote in your reply