[dadarepublic]

Thank you for calling out the downvote issue. I've refrained from asking questions for this exact reason.

People should be encouraged to ask questions, even if from a position of lesser knowledge of the matter at hand. Those that do answer are probably not only helping the person asking the question, but those who may not ask the question even if it is one in their mind.

How many others refrain from enriching the dialogue for the same reasons?

[stagger87]

Commenting about voting is discouraged in the HN guidelines.

Also, questions that could be answered with a quick internet search don't make good discussion.

[dadarepublic]

Thanks for reminding me as I had forgotten. Still it seems a bit weird not to be able to discuss. Again, thanks for the reminder (I suspect others who read this thread may also be reminded).

You are correct in saying some questions are better than others. But again that's no reason to downvote as it actively discourages people from participation. I would think the best course would be to ignore and move on as the original comment on this thread mentioned. Downvoting can be a hostile action. Ignoring is neutral.

As per the guidelines themselves: >Please don't post shallow dismissals, especially of other people's work. A good critical comment teaches us something.

Case in point, my comment was downvoted, even though the subsequent comment was an illuminating reminder for myself and possibly others. Those downvotes seem somewhat arbitrary at best, hostile at worst.

I've no more to say so I will refrain from any further comments on voting dynamic.