Downvotes without an explanation have no meaning. You should be required to explain why you downvoted.
If a downvote means "I'd like to see fewer comments like this" -- then, why? What is wrong? Is it off-topic, rude, you disgaree, it used words you don't like, it ran on too long. What, what, what is the problem?!?! A downvote gives you nothing but some vague feeling that you broke some kind of social rule or norm somewhere _without actually explaining what it was you did_
Downvotes are mostly non-useful and promote "safe" comments, which have a tendency to be boring.
Actually, it would result in one person giving a reason and a bunch of people upvoting that. Whether or not that's a good thing is still up for debate. I do think people should feel compelled to give a reason, though.
I've been downvoted for explaining to a guy why he was being downvoted. he then told me his 'trolling' was a joke and to have a sense of humor (he was already at -4) then I started getting downvoted and he got upvoted.
If a downvote means "I'd like to see fewer comments like this" -- then, why? What is wrong? Is it off-topic, rude, you disgaree, it used words you don't like, it ran on too long. What, what, what is the problem?!?! A downvote gives you nothing but some vague feeling that you broke some kind of social rule or norm somewhere _without actually explaining what it was you did_
Downvotes are mostly non-useful and promote "safe" comments, which have a tendency to be boring.