Because to me, they seem like de facto "Agree and “Disagree” buttons, whether or not it was the intent.

  • @[email protected]
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    19 hours ago

    They should be more about “good post or bad post”, so something that may be disagreeable gets upvotes if it is well stated.

    I don’t care how well stated some anti-vax or flat-earth bullshit is … It’ll get downvoted regardless because I disagree.

    • warm
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      318 hours ago

      That would just be misinformation, something downvote was intended for.

      • @[email protected]
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        518 hours ago

        That would just be misinformation

        Sure, according to us. But you don’t actually need to be right to think you’re right. If someone believes the earth is flat, they’ll downvote “globe-talk” as misinformation, just as it was intended! So it all just comes back to (dis)agreeing.

        • warm
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          118 hours ago

          Of course, but these examples are provably false. Flat earthers have accidentally disproved themselves many times.

          If they are just having a giggle then whatever, but some are serious and that is damaging to the legitimacy of science, which is a dangerous path.

          If the poster is open to discussion, perhaps some chat could make them reconsider their position. So I wouldnt necessarily downvote. Context is important, so I still wont just use it as a disagree button.

          • @[email protected]
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            18 hours ago

            I know and I chose those two examples to illustrate that people will even disagree with stuff that is blatantly factual. So it just gets worse if you enter murkier territory, like politics or ethics where there is no firm factual basis.

            I’m sure you won’t have to search too long for a very well written post by some tanky about how a North Korean style dictatorship is superior to western democracy. Should you upvote it just because it’s well written, even if you think the idology is insane and dangerous?

            • warm
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              116 hours ago

              Don’t forget, I don’t have to vote either way.