I don’t have a downvote button but if I did I’d use it on misinformation. Things that are factually incorrect or unsubstantiated.
“This”
Not your post, but anything that’s just an upvote in the form of a comment.
Also anything that’s egregious misinformation or bad faith posting.
Or anything that’s just spammy or bonkers crazy. I’ve blocked more people in my 1-ish year on Lemmy than I had in something like 10 years on Reddit…it definitely feels like Lemmy is the haven for Reddit refugees, including those who got banned for not really understanding how to engage in this type of space.
Also, any post that really doesn’t fit the community. Like NoStupidQuestions posts that aren’t questions or are really just AITA or DAE (social validation) posts in disguise.
I know that sounds like a lot, but for the most part, I don’t vote on things. I upvote most posts that are cool/interesting enough to get me to go to the source or read through the comments, as well as any good comments. And pretty much any comment that engages in discussion with my own comments without being annoying or rude, lol
“Disagree”/“its bad”/“eww”
It’s not a “disagree” button, but it is a “you’re wrong” button. They could be wrong by trolling, spreading misinformation, spamming, being disingenuous, refusing to understand the topic or engage in good faith… None of those contribute to the conversation.
I think making a genuine mistake is fine if it contributes to discussion, especially if it’s later edited to reflect the fact that it was mistaken.
Whatever I want.
I have no obligation to downvote consistently.
I do what I want!
If you’re a skater you know there are no rules at the skatepark, except those enforced by those that are at the skatepark…
Same as online communities, there are only ones that get enforced by downvotes.
As the electronic version of [look of disapproval], the same way the upvote means [nodding while thinking yes yes]
Disagree.
All of these comments are like “down votes aren’t dislikes, heres how i use them: list of things they dislike”
I mostly downvote bad faith, hostile or just generally angry/mean comments independent of whether I agree with them or not. Basically I’m using it against the people that are polluting the air here.
Racism and homo/transphobia, which are often disguised as (mis)information. I don’t usually downvote people unless they’re being outright hateful though and then sometimes I block them too.
Also downvote & report spam, which is actually pretty rare on lemmy.
I downvote anything that I deem worsens the quality of the community. This includes, but is not limited to:
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misinformation
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trolls
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bad faith engagement
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uncalled for hostility and incivility
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very lazy, low effort posts/comments
Perfect! I’d add mindless slogans as well.
“The cruelty is the point!”
Or any of 100 other endlessly repeated replies.
Wouldn’t that just fall to the last bullet point?
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“This is so ignorant replying would be a waste of time.”
Also: “that’s it, I’m leaving this sub.”
Usually in response to a post that isn’t even an overall representation of the sub.
It’s a disagree button. That’s how it’s used in practice, and we’re better off just accepting that.
I love it and hate it when I write a thoughtful and, at least to me, friendly and persuasive post but because it goes against usual Western narratives (hedonism good, fencesitting as a virtue, truth is flexible, etc) I get a flood of downvotes… but no comments nor arguments against it! Which makes sense: I’ve shaken their house-of-cards ideology and they’re having a gut reaction, but maybe later on they’ll explore what I said and start thinking in earnest about the topic. 🤷🙏
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the reason you aren’t getting any replies is because you sound full of yourself
That’s probably somewhere there in the mix too, lol. I really try not to too! I’d like to think I sometimes come off more ‘somewhat annoyed’ and sarcastic than prideful, which is closer to reality.
This is a really nice situation where you can confidently say anyone downvoting you is a hypocrite.
“This does not contribute” button.
On a related topic, one thing I learned from the old Century Club days on reddit is the Courtesy Upvote.
If a thread is interesting enough that you commented, upvote it, upvote all the other comments.
If someone replies to you or one of your posts, upvote them too.
