[fractallyte]

Downvotes as punishment for writing reasoned comments and arguments which are true to one's own sensibilities, are an indication that a point of view is "special".

One can start to feel a certain pride in that. (Of course, that shouldn't become the purpose of commenting.)

[MissTake]

The internet being what it is, it’s a guarantee that you’ll always find someone who can dislike anything someone else posts, sometimes for no other reason than to be contrary.

Especially when the comment is either 100% factual, e.g. “1+1 does not equal ‘an Iguana’” or where someone clearly states a personal opinion “I’m not partial to eating Iguanas, myself”.

[rezonant]

Yes I have done this upon occasion. You just know your going to get downvoted, so you really turn the rationale up to 10 but you know it's still not enough.

[pickingdinner]

I did get to the point where I could tailor a comment for upvotes and guard them from downvotes, at least to some degree... But that's not free speech or free thinking. And all that effort to an audience that is also under the same constraints only makes for a safe but somewhat walking-on-eggshells conversation, at least when it comes to controversial ideas like... space vs tabs and apple vs microsoft. lol

HN is great for what it is. Gathering 2 cents from everyone. I've only had a great time adding my positive 2 cents, and I continue to enjoy learning from everyone else's.