[etjossem]

This is a genuinely good take, and the downvotes are disappointing. We like to describe new efficiencies in productivity and information-seeking as "good for the consumer," because that's a highly positive effect.

But it's awful for any supplier who hasn't found a way to be better than the best yet - and that in turn can encourage unhealthy consolidation of large businesses at the expense of small ones.

Put another way: let's face it, some of Adam Smith's predictions about the risks of monopoly were right too.

[tabtab]

Downvotes are indeed frustrating. If I am "thinking wrong", I wish to know WHY I am thinking wrong so that I don't do it again. Downvoting rarely gives the necessary feedback to correct faulty thinking. I will "stay broken" without useful feedback.

[scarejunba]

Sorry to enter the meta-discussion, especially since I voted up. Downvote discussion is tedious since the stance of this website is clear. It is to express value. You being correct is your problem. Us kicking wrong comments out of our way is our problem. Since fixing the former is harder than the latter, we don’t necessarily want to do it.

If I think you’re wrong, I’m going to downvote you and move on. That’s because when I’m reading, I only want to read correct things.

[tabtab]

Re: If I think you’re wrong, I’m going to downvote you and move on

If the receiver of the downvote doesn't know why, they may make the same thinking process mistake again, and moderators will have to reinvent their downvotes in the future. It may not be the same person each time, but in agraggrate thinking errors pile up, so that approach doesn't scale for forums full of mostly repeat commentators.

In my opinion, Hacker News should require a non-trivial comment on the reason why something is downvoted, prompting for sufficient counter-details. Maybe that's dreamy feature-creep, but it sure would feel nicer than hit-and-run downvotes. I prefer to learn from my mistakes.

Anyhow, the specific score changed so it's no longer an issue here, but remains a general frustration. Thanks for your feedback; I appreciate it regardless of whether I agree.

[someguydave]

I get downvoted all the time, I can usually guess why. But I agree that an explanation would be helpful.

[tabtab]

I'd like to request tips on "what not do say" here on H.N.

[someguydave]

pretty much anything that goes against the silicon valley consensus on political and ethical matters.

[deogeo]

“People of the same trade seldom meet together, even for merriment and diversion, but the conversation ends in a conspiracy against the public, or in some contrivance to raise prices.”