the short-term answer is that we basically had lurkers and stealth users trying to suppress marginalized content/viewpoints with them, and we decided to see what would happen if we just nixed them
the long-term answer is because downvotes are thought-terminating and harsh the vibe, and it’s funnier when like 5 people jump down someone’s throat for posting an awful take rather than just seeing a negative number next to the comment
the short-term answer is that we basically had lurkers and stealth users trying to suppress marginalized content/viewpoints with them, and we decided to see what would happen if we just nixed them
the long-term answer is because downvotes are thought-terminating and harsh the vibe, and it’s funnier when like 5 people jump down someone’s throat for posting an awful take rather than just seeing a negative number next to the comment
ratios > downvotes literally any day of the week, they’re funnier and more productive