[microcolonel]

I don't know if requiring a comment for an upvote is so necessary; but requiring a comment (or an upvote of a comment) in order to downvote seems like it could help. I think the problem with upvoting tends to exist where there is no downvoting.

I'm mostly at peace with net scores on my replies, though I feel a bit confused when the scores down without explanation. I think it is healthy to some extent to seek validation, but in order for it to be productive, I think we ought to know why people feel the way they do about what we say.

[jessriedel]

I see lots of stuff upvoted thoughtlessly that might benefit from forcing the voter to explain.

[SketchySeaBeast]

I think you'd end up with a lot of

"+1 funny" "-1 Reeee"

stuff, and that'd just add noise to the thread, but not add to the discussion.

[jessriedel]

I agree, but that applies just as well to downvotes. I don't have good ideas how to run a required-comment-to-vote system, I just don't see the asymmetry between up and down.

[microcolonel]

Maybe I wasn't clear in saying that I don't think it should be necessary to comment in order to downvote, but I think it should be required to upvote a reply in order to downvote (or make your own reply).