[castorp]

You shouldn't see downvoting as a personal attack.

It's simply a way to express disagreement with the statement.

How else would one signal agreement or disagreement if not by up- or downvoting? Would you rather have everyone answer with "I agree" or "I disagree"?

Maybe Hacker News simply attracts more US readers than non-US readers and thus they are bound to disagree with any criticism.

[chris5745]

Downvoting also decreases visibility of the statement, effectively silencing the speaker. If I disagree with a statement, why should I be able to prevent you from even considering it? How is this reasonable discourse?