That’s a rather unhelpful way to use a voting system, considering no two people have the same sensibilities toward rudeness or the same purpose for reading a thread. At least voting based on truth has universal utility. In fact, downvoting true information could be actively harmful in many (most?) situations as many (most?) platforms boost or suppress content based on those votes
I also find it a bit.. idk what the word is, egotistical? Self-centered? Judgemental? To vote based on subjective qualities like perceived rudeness or helpfulness (toward one’s own goals or one’s own understanding of a stated goal)
Then talk to dang and attempt to convince him that the voting system needs to be purely based on the truth (or lack thereof) contained within a comment. As it stands, the voting system is primarily intended to surface comments and posts that foster the discussion of interesting things.
Considering that things like attacking the messenger and bad-faith discourse (via insults, etc) are counter to the stated HN ethos, I don't feel it's unhelpful to downvote assholish comments for the sake of being assholish, even if the comment has accurate factual information that is relevant.
Hallelujah cry the internet trolls! Who now are allowed to post rude and vile comments provided they might be true! Downvoting their perceived rudeness would be wrong.
No wait. Nope, that’s not how it works. Downvoting for rudeness, incivility or low effort comments makes for a much better environment.
I also find it a bit.. idk what the word is, egotistical? Self-centered? Judgemental? To vote based on subjective qualities like perceived rudeness or helpfulness (toward one’s own goals or one’s own understanding of a stated goal)