When should you downvote an argument?
This is not a matter of morals, but hopefully a matter of standardization.
When do you find it acceptable to downvote an argument?
when it is poorly written?
when it is against your perspective?
when it is by a person you do not like?
when it is insulting people without an argument?
when it is insulting people embedded in an argument?
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5
points
Sometimes I see people having to repeat themselves because their opponent is ignoring a point, or began the cycle of repetition, so I guess context is important. I insult people and I don't expect not to be insulted, so I don't bother downvoting arguments that insult as long as they also comprise of actual points as well. I sometimes upvote arguments that make a point I disagree with, but make it well. I have downvoted people who I happen to agree with, but who I feel made their point poorly, because it makes 'my side' look bad. How about you? Would you downvote a well-written argument peppered with unnecessary insults? Side: When its trolling
I find a strong negative correlation between the number of insults in an argument and the strength of the argument. I believe it is because, as people run out of arguments, they simply attack the other side. I have not, as of yet, seen a well written argument with a large amount of personal jabs at the opponent. Side: When its trolling
1
point
CreateDebate complicates this matter by tallying up the total votes for each side. That tends to encourage people to vote up arguments on the same side as them, and vote down arguments on the opposite side, regardless of the intrinsic merits of the arguments, because they want their side to "win" :/ But I'd say that you should downvote an argument that is spam, obvious trolling, terrible reasoning, or consist largely of insults rather than reasoned debate. Upvoting is for arguments that you find well-written, witty, or reflects your own perspective particularly well. Personally speaking, I generally wouldn't vote up an argument I disagree with, but neither would I vote it down for the sole reason that I disagree with it. If I vehemently disagree with something, I'd rather reply than vote. Voting down, to me, means "This comment is so silly that I'm not even going to bother replying to you." Thus I find downvoting an argument that isn't silly to be cowardly and petty. Side: When its trolling
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