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Honestly I was skeptical when downvotes were removed, but gosh darn it they're nonexistance has made the site culture way better. It's weird now with federation going to other instances and seeing downvotes. It sucks, actually, to be able to just furtively cast your disapproval on whatever you like. I think it causes a real anxiety to posting that doesn't need to be there. Hail TC69 thought!
In which ways did getting rid of downvotes made the culture better?
You have to explain yourself here and can't just be a lurker who still influences the conversations. If someone makes a bad post instead of just being downvoted they'll be met with a wall of mockery mixed in with explanations of why it's wrong. Downvotes are for cowards and can't add anything to a discussion - they can only take away.
Downvotes are for cowards
The Virgin Lurk-hater
versus
The Chad Wall-of-Text denouncer
Yeah, what DoiDoi said. Downvotes existing make every reading of a comment or post combative. It promotes "well ackshually" culture and disincentives thought and conversation.
Like if I didn't like your question I could just downvotes it and move on, knowing that I have voiced my disapproval without having to even think about why. This way, unless I want your question to remain as the end of the thread I must reply -- and I will, because I read your question in good faith and did not come at it from a place of combat.