I have been a member for a several weeks, maybe a month, time is irrelevant to me~<3, and I have noticed that some people will downvote a comment that is positive towards the picture and its artist. I am very intrigued by this behavior. Is it a need to make others feel bad? Or simply trolling? What makes you downvote a comment? Please put your answers down below~<3

I hate everything and feel nothing in life but sadness and remorse so I must make everyone else around me feel the same lmao xD XD xD

RusterFuck said:
I hate everything and feel nothing in life but sadness and remorse so I must make everyone else around me feel the same lmao xD XD xD

Um...ok? O.o

I usually only downvote a picture that is so tasteless I suspect it was made out of hatred or a comment that is straight-up cringy to read.

Other people toss downvotes around like they actually matter or run bots that randomly downvote images or comments.

If it is because you begin to feel sad from seeing a red negative score from time to time, I think the problem lies somewhere else.
But basically, people are more prone to dislike things than they like. It's made worse by the fact that people tend to see/read faster than how they should. One example I can remember is on post #770934 where my comment once was at -4, probably worse, before going up to 0, because people didn't bother reading past "I hate this". Some of my comments get downvoted for no good reason, because people tend to take the little negativity I'm stating as if I'm hating on the picture and the artist ( post #946777 ) or just completely misses the point of what I'm trying to say ( post #1042494 ).

At the end of the day, best solution would be to set your score threshold to -10 as I did years ago, and just not take these scores that seriously. They're just red numbers, and red is a pretty cool color

Neitsuke said:
If it is because you begin to feel sad from seeing a red negative score from time to time, I think the problem lies somewhere else.
But basically, people are more prone to dislike things than they like. It's made worse by the fact that people tend to see/read faster than how they should. One example I can remember is on post #770934 where my comment once was at -4, probably worse, before going up to 0, because people didn't bother reading past "I hate this" Some of my comments get downvoted for no good reason, because people tend to take the little negativity I'm stating as if I'm hating on the picture and the artist (post # 946777 ) or just completely misses the point of what I'm trying to say ( post #1042494 ).

At the end of the day, best solution would be to set your score threshold to -10 as I did years ago, and just not take these scores that seriously. They're just red numbers, and red is a pretty cool color

I've noticed that before, but have never put as much thought into it. You're very wise.

nothing is better than dumping own built up hatred and anger on content people at furry porn site

Whether I'm upvoted or downvoted, I take satisfaction in knowing I managed to affect somebody enough to make them acknowledge me

Downvoting is good because it gives users a way to express a negative feeling without making a negative comment. Negative comments tend to spark arguments, and arguing on the internet seldom ends well.

Thirtyeight said:
Downvoting is good because it gives users a way to express a negative feeling without making a negative comment. Negative comments tend to spark arguments, and arguing on the internet seldom ends well.

That seems logical.

Without downvotes and only upvotes its basically an echo chamber.

Regardless, you shouldn't take it to heart too much what people say/vote on the internet.

HypnoBitch said:
I have noticed that some people will downvote a comment that is positive towards the picture and its artist.

It seems you are mostly curious about why a positive comment would be downvoted, so I'll give some reasons why I'd downvote such a comment.

1) The comment is creepy. "This is so hot I'm going to [graphic description of masturbation]"
2) The comment tries to downplay criticism of the image. "This is great, don't listen to anyone telling you otherwise". I think constructive criticism is important, and if people are giving it, it's rude to be so dismissive.
3) The comment brings in personal tastes where they don't belong. Common on f/f images where "they need a good dicking" tends to crop up. This one is a bit more nuanced than that, and I don't feel like going into what makes something a reasonable expression of personal interests and what crosses the line, but there are some things which bother me.
4) The comment is broken in a way that annoys me. Call me petty, but certain common mispellings can annoy me (lose / loose, for one). Downvoting those is a way of expressing my frown without being a jerk about it. Usually a comment has to be really broken though. "bae ur so sxy i wud loose my mind aroudn u".

Might be others, but those were the first to come to mind.

HypnoBitch said:
I have been a member for a several weeks, maybe a month, time is irrelevant to me~<3, and I have noticed that some people will downvote a comment that is positive towards the picture and its artist. I am very intrigued by this behavior. Is it a need to make others feel bad? Or simply trolling? What makes you downvote a comment? Please put your answers down below~<3

look at my avatar!

I honestly think it might have to do with my horrible jokes. I try to be funny but most times it just seems weird.

Clawdragons said:
It seems you are mostly curious about why a positive comment would be downvoted, so I'll give some reasons why I'd downvote such a comment.

1) The comment is creepy. "This is so hot I'm going to [graphic description of masturbation]"
2) The comment tries to downplay criticism of the image. "This is great, don't listen to anyone telling you otherwise". I think constructive criticism is important, and if people are giving it, it's rude to be so dismissive.
3) The comment brings in personal tastes where they don't belong. Common on f/f images where "they need a good dicking" tends to crop up. This one is a bit more nuanced than that, and I don't feel like going into what makes something a reasonable expression of personal interests and what crosses the line, but there are some things which bother me.
4) The comment is broken in a way that annoys me. Call me petty, but certain common mispellings can annoy me (lose / loose, for one). Downvoting those is a way of expressing my frown without being a jerk about it. Usually a comment has to be really broken though. "bae ur so sxy i wud loose my mind aroudn u".

Might be others, but those were the first to come to mind.

Well, the comments I'm talking about are more innocent. And I see them get downvoted.

HypnoBitch said:
Well, the comments I'm talking about are more innocent. And I see them get downvoted.

Some people have no tolerance for opinions that differ from their own.

HypnoBitch said:
Well, the comments I'm talking about are more innocent. And I see them get downvoted.

Some people hold grudges. You do something that pisses them off, such as pointing out that our site follows the Tag What You See rule, and they'll start downvoting you when they see you.

why is your name hypnobitch

HypnoBitch said:
Well, the comments I'm talking about are more innocent. And I see them get downvoted.

It might help if you provided some examples? I could take a stab at explaining it.

Neitsuke said:
If it is because you begin to feel sad from seeing a red negative score from time to time, I think the problem lies somewhere else.
But basically, people are more prone to dislike things than they like. It's made worse by the fact that people tend to see/read faster than how they should. One example I can remember is on post #770934 where my comment once was at -4, probably worse, before going up to 0, because people didn't bother reading past "I hate this". Some of my comments get downvoted for no good reason, because people tend to take the little negativity I'm stating as if I'm hating on the picture and the artist ( post #946777 ) or just completely misses the point of what I'm trying to say ( post #1042494 ).

At the end of the day, best solution would be to set your score threshold to -10 as I did years ago, and just not take these scores that seriously. They're just red numbers, and red is a pretty cool color

Gave it an upvote :)

RusterFuck said:
why is your name hypnobitch

Because I have a hypnosis fetish? <_<

Clawdragons said:
It might help if you provided some examples? I could take a stab at explaining it.

"This is really good."

"That is awesome!"

That kind of stuff. I've been noticing people downvoting them.

HypnoBitch said:
"This is really good."

"That is awesome!"

That kind of stuff. I've been noticing people downvoting them.

Maybe on the grounds it's not very constructive. Constructive compliments are just as useful as constructive criticism. What's good about it? What makes it awesome? If an artist knows what to keep and what to change to improve their works, it's very helpful.

Furrin_Gok said:
Maybe on the grounds it's not very constructive. Constructive compliments are just as useful as constructive criticism. What's good about it? What makes it awesome? If an artist knows what to keep and what to change to improve their works, it's very helpful.

It's still no reason to downvote. These are comments that praise the artist. You don't have to criticize.

^^ +1 . That kind of comment falls into the 'just upvote/fav it instead' basket, for me (and that includes when I've gotten that kind of comment on my art). It's kind of like fast food -- contentless attempt to satisfy emotions.

One of the purposes of upvotes/downvotes/favs IMO is to circumvent these things -- me-tooing and purely emotive comments.

Perhaps I should be downvoting those comments? I don't think they really contribute anything, like you say.

I don't like downvote here. But on Reddit, I usually do when I'm pissed off about something.

I'm not sure this would explain the examples you're seeing, but I do know that A lot of people are extremely and excessively overly-sensitive to what they consider to be "creepy" comments on this site and will downvote totally innocuous positive comments on a post simply because they have deemed them as such.... while also apparently forgetting they are on a porn site viewing hardcore and fetishy furry pornography in the first place.

I'm not even talking about actually creepy stuff either, like paragraphs-long RP descriptions in extreme detail about things they want to do to a character, or talking about their IRL sexual exploits with animals, etc.... none of the legit creepy stuff... no, I'm talking about really plain, quite normal comments that will get downvoted and even reported for being "creepy" such as:

• "Wow, she's extremely hot, really nice tits, nicely done"
• "I really like how they drew the cock, 10/10"
• "I really wish I was that guy! <3"
• "I love big cumshots like that, love messy pics like this!"
• "So hot I jizzed my pants :D"
• "Knotted cocks are soooo hot, love it!"
• "Mouthwateringly delicious looking, wish I could have some"

...All of which are liable to get downvotes from certain users for being supposedly creepy, and even likely to get frivolously reported. It's to the point where someone could get reported for being creepy for just pointing out something that is literally happening right in the picture[/i]: It could be a picture of a cub sucking a guy off, and if someone were to comment "Seeing that cub sucking that guy off is hot" there's a good chance they'll be hit by the downvote and report brigade, and somehow actually end up with an infraction for creepy commenting on their account. It's pretty ridiculous.Might explain some of the downvotes you're seeing.

Crispix said:

• "Wow, she's extremely hot, really nice tits, nicely done"
• "I really like how they drew the cock, 10/10"
• "I really wish I was that guy! <3"
• "I love big cumshots like that, love messy pics like this!"
• "So hot I jizzed my pants :D"
• "Knotted cocks are soooo hot, love it!"
• "Mouthwateringly delicious looking, wish I could have some"

I wouldn't really call the first two creepy. The rest look like they came straight from Rule34.xxx.

Crispix said:
I'm not sure this would explain the examples you're seeing, but I do know that A lot of people are extremely and excessively overly-sensitive to what they consider to be "creepy" comments on this site and will downvote totally innocuous positive comments on a post simply because they have deemed them as such.... while also apparently forgetting they are on a porn site viewing hardcore and fetishy furry pornography in the first place.

I'm not even talking about actually creepy stuff either, like paragraphs-long RP descriptions in extreme detail about things they want to do to a character, or talking about their IRL sexual exploits with animals, etc.... none of the legit creepy stuff... no, I'm talking about really plain, quite normal comments that will get downvoted and even reported for being "creepy" such as:

• "Wow, she's extremely hot, really nice tits, nicely done"
• "I really like how they drew the cock, 10/10"
• "I really wish I was that guy! <3"
• "I love big cumshots like that, love messy pics like this!"
• "So hot I jizzed my pants :D"
• "Knotted cocks are soooo hot, love it!"
• "Mouthwateringly delicious looking, wish I could have some"

...All of which are liable to get downvotes from certain users for being supposedly creepy, and even likely to get frivolously reported. It's to the point where someone could get reported for being creepy for just pointing out something that is literally happening right in the picture[/i]: It could be a picture of a cub sucking a guy off, and if someone were to comment "Seeing that cub sucking that guy off is hot" there's a good chance they'll be hit by the downvote and report brigade, and somehow actually end up with an infraction for creepy commenting on their account. It's pretty ridiculous.Might explain some of the downvotes you're seeing.

Those aren't the type of comments I'm talking about. :/

BlueDingo said:
I wouldn't really call the first two creepy. The rest look like they came straight from Rule34.xxx.

The point is that if you're intentionally viewing a piece of furry porn on this site depicting, for example, a guy guzzling gallons of cum from a hyper-endowed hermaphrodite's dick, you probably shouldn't be flipping out over reading someone expressing their appreciation over the contents of the picture by commenting some form of "All that cum is awesome".

It's porn - Not classy porn either - Filthy, fetishy porn. If you find the very contents of a picture itself "creepy", maybe you shouldn't be looking at that picture, much less reading comments about it. What sense does it make to think a comment saying "knotted cocks are hot" is creepy when you're literally looking at a picture that displays knotted dog dicks, on a website primarily for porn, which has a fucking tag for knot, just so you can find pictures of knotted dicks easier??

But I digress; this isn't really the topic of this thread.

I think the takeaway is that you can downvote, upvote, favorite, or blacklist completely at your discretion, but if you ever, EVER try to comment about the contents of a pornographic image, then you are going to to get reported, banned, and possibly downvoted into oblivion depending on who you offend.

For pics, I only upvote. If I see something I don't like, I just ignore it and move on, I may not like it but somebody will.

For comments, I'll upvote if it's something I agree with or find amusing. If it's something I don't agree with, I just ignore it because we can't agree on everything. The only time I downvote is if I see someone trolling, hating, or just plain being a dickhead. If you're gonna criticise, be constructive about it, don't just say "This pic is shit!" explain why you think it's shit and tell us what you think the artist could've done differently to make the pic better.

As for why positive comments get downvoted, I think it might be a case of "How dare you like something I don't like!". At least that was the case with a few of my comments, I once got downvoted for saying that I liked Torracat, whereas all positive comments on that same pic that were about Dartrix got upvoted. Heh, funny how the hate shifted from Popplio to Litten.

This is a question that has been rattling in my head since I started using this site in 2013 (I just decided to create a account this year but I have been using this site for a few years now) I mean I understand really negative comments a little but people are still entitled to an opinion. With art it is really not understandable especially for certain fetishes that people don't like. You may not like it but others do. I don't like genital mutilation or scat but I don't down vote the photo for it because I understand it is someones fetish. There is a blacklist feature you can use to not see art you don't like. I don't use it because i may not like scat or genital mutilation but I just don't care. Like I don't care what someone has to negatively say about art I like. Sorry for the rant but I would just like answers to why there even needs to be a down vote button just like the person who started this whole forum post does.

Crispix said:
The point is that if you're intentionally viewing a piece of furry porn on this site depicting, for example, a guy guzzling gallons of cum from a hyper-endowed hermaphrodite's dick, you probably shouldn't be flipping out over reading someone expressing their appreciation over the contents of the picture by commenting some form of "All that cum is awesome".

It's porn - Not classy porn either - Filthy, fetishy porn

I'm not sure what classy porn is. Then again, I can't really think of a single thing I would call 'classy' at all, despite many people asserting that various things are classy.

OTOH plenty of porn is tacky. Like 99% of it, just in different degrees.

. If you find the very contents of a picture itself "creepy", maybe you shouldn't be looking at that picture, much less reading comments about it. What sense does it make to think a comment saying "knotted cocks are hot" is creepy when you're literally looking at a picture that displays knotted dog dicks, on a website primarily for porn, which has a fucking tag for knot, just so you can find pictures of knotted dicks easier??

I think there are two likely explanations

a) projection aka 'Yes, I enjoy dog cock, but how dare you remind me that I like dog cock, you filthy dog-cock liker'

b) mythologization (not quite the right word,probably) aka 'Stop actually saying it's hot, that makes it less hot' -- some kind of valuing of mystery.

Plus of course

c) "your comment is redundant and you should feel bad" / "I don't come here to read comments stating the obvious"

savageorange said:
I'm not sure what classy porn is.

post #157264

a) projection aka 'Yes, I enjoy dog cock, but how dare you remind me that I like dog cock, you filthy dog-cock liker'

Closet fetishists, so insecure.

Cringe.

Upvote if you feel like showing approval, downvote if you feel like showing disapproval. People click like when they like something and click dislike when they dislike something. Tell me, why did you feel the need to make a thread on a porn forum to say that one of the seven billion people on earth disliked a comment you agreed with?

I only ever downvote comments if they're being being excessively weird, hostile, or roleplaying. I'll likely leave anything else alone.

werewolfscanbegaytoo said:
Cringe.

Upvote if you feel like showing approval, downvote if you feel like showing disapproval. People click like when they like something and click dislike when they dislike something. Tell me, why did you feel the need to make a thread on a porn forum to say that one of the seven billion people on earth disliked a comment you agreed with?

Please don't try starting an argument. I don't want to see you get anything on your record since you're new. I mean this sincerely.

I was looking through my comment history and I am surprised at how few (30) of my comments have a negative score. As far as I can tell it happens when I:

• break a combo: post #338283 (seriously, it's my most downvoted comment so far)
• make an obscure joke/reference which apparently nobody gets: post #682849 post #280933 post #665585
• point out TWYS: post #584198 post #367319
• point out unreasonabe ratings: post #346443 post #326784
• or explain my opinion about something: post #343842 (The following posts got deleted) https://e621.net/comment/search?query=&user=&date_start=&date_end=&post_id=633854&status=any&order=date_asc
• disagree with an admin's opinion? https://e621.net/comment/search?query=&user=&date_start=&date_end=&post_id=833546&status=any&order=date_asc At first I thought this was also an opinion thing but my other two comments in there have a score of +1, so I don't know why. (Not trying to throw rocks here, just guessing what might be the reason)

So what did I learn from this?

• Don't break combos.
• When you make jokes, make sure they are obvious.
• Don't explain the fact that the TWYS rule exists.
• As long as the genitalia is not technically visible to the viewer it's not explicit.

But seriously:
I don't get it either sometimes. I mean... just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it any less of a valid comment.* Downvoting the comment is not going to help anyone because the author doesn't even know what the problem is. Tell us your opinion. Engage in the conversation. Convince us. But don't just be unhelpful.

*That is, unless it is obviously offensive, of course.

Calimero000 said:

• As long as the genitalia is not technically visible to the viewer it's not explicit.

Wrong lesson learned.
By my estimate, there's at least 25000 misrated posts. Just fix the rating and move on (and report the user who misrated it if you see them doing the same repeatedly).

Commenting about it will only seem like annoying repetition to those who already know the rules, and it's also almost guaranteed to get a downvote from the user who misrated the post. Either because they don't believe you, or simply don't like it that their mistake was pointed out in public.

Calimero000 said:
I was looking through my comment history and I am surprised at how few (30) of my comments have a negative score. As far as I can tell it happens when I:

• break a combo: post #338283 (seriously, it's my most downvoted comment so far)
• make an obscure joke/reference which apparently nobody gets: post #682849 post #280933 post #665585
• point out TWYS: post #584198 post #367319
• point out unreasonabe ratings: post #346443 post #326784
• or explain my opinion about something: post #343842 (The following posts got deleted) https://e621.net/comment/search?query=&user=&date_start=&date_end=&post_id=633854&status=any&order=date_asc
• disagree with an admin's opinion? https://e621.net/comment/search?query=&user=&date_start=&date_end=&post_id=833546&status=any&order=date_asc At first I thought this was also an opinion thing but my other two comments in there have a score of +1, so I don't know why. (Not trying to throw rocks here, just guessing what might be the reason)

So what did I learn from this?

• Don't break combos.
• When you make jokes, make sure they are obvious.
• Don't explain the fact that the TWYS rule exists.
• As long as the genitalia is not technically visible to the viewer it's not explicit.

But seriously:
I don't get it either sometimes. I mean... just because you don't agree with it doesn't make it any less of a valid comment.* Downvoting the comment is not going to help anyone because the author doesn't even know what the problem is. Tell us your opinion. Engage in the conversation. Convince us. But don't just be unhelpful.

*That is, unless it is obviously offensive, of course.

First off, don't argue with an admin. That tends to make you look bad. Second, that's a lot of downvotes just for breaking a combo. O.o And third, at least you've learned.

HypnoBitch said:
Second, that's a lot of downvotes just for breaking a combo. O.o

Herds tend to charge when startled.

BlueDingo said:
Herds tend to charge when startled.

Lol. Moooooooo!

usually when i disapprove of something and don't think it's worth using words to explain why. that or it's something i agree with others about and and KNOW talking about the content in question (pic/comment/etc.) would just lead to more trouble. i know at least 5 particular topics that tend to either end in flames around here in particular or the admin would complain about while referencing the rules. politics and religion being 2 such topics.

silent disapproval of something in other words.

In regards to posts:
When I see something that does not interest me, I ignore it.

When I see something that has caught my interest but I do not like the content, I blacklist it.

When I see something that has caught my interest, do not like it BUT feel like it can be done better, I downvote it.

I mostly downvote creepy comments and rp comments. Though I often downvote completely unintelligible comments. Things like "Like hope but aligator," or "*murrs and does X sexual act*" or "Me, next! I'd love to feel that cum aaaalll over me!"

That kinda stuff is just.. TMI or nonsensical. No one actually wants to hear your sexual fantasies in the comments. That's not what they're for. You could probably find some community specifically for discussing that or, I dunno, maybe you could make an off-topic here discussing that. Really, no clue about that last one.

Yet that's why I downvote. People being creepy/rping or people saying words that make zero sense.

Oh, I suppose there is one more thing, when people bring their real life into the comments - there's places for that, the comments of an image are /not/ those places.

Now what I REALLY don't understand is why people FAVORITE things but don't upvote. It's like saying "I LOVE you, but I don't really like you."

Genjar said:
Wrong lesson learned.

I know, right?
Fancy explaining the reasoning? Nah, just downvote it so nothing can be learned.

Downvote = "Hey. Shut up."

Ko-san said:
Downvote = "Hey. Shut up."

^This

If I think your comment was cringey, I downvote.
If I think your art was too low quality to be uploaded to a porn site and have the majority enjoy it (and we're talking low quality), I downvote.
If I think your art was disgusting (like scat, bestiality, or cub) I downvote.

On the contrary, I only upvote if I really like your art or comment. I'll also sometimes vote up or down if I think a picture had too high/low a rating.

werewolfscanbegaytoo said:

If I think your art was disgusting (like scat, bestiality, or cub) I downvote.

I added these tags to a blacklist so I didn't have to outright see it, saves me the trouble to downvote it.

fox_whisper85 said:
I added these tags to a blacklist so I didn't have to outright see it, saves me the trouble to downvote it.

I'm not the type to be troubled by seeing something, and a blacklist can block things you'd have liked. For example, a flash could have multiple options and scenes; with one being scat and all the others being enjoyable. Or on occasion, the twys rule makes art that wouldn't bother you get tagged as something you dislike. A lot of youthful-looking characters get labeled with cub despite not looking like they'd be underage.

And besides, what's the fun to life without surprises and casting your opinion?

Posts:
I upvote any post I like enough to want to see again. I downvote any post I dislike enough to not want to see again.

With this system, upvotes are favourites (search votedup:* instead of favoritedby:*) and downvotes are blacklisted (search -voteddown:* instead of flooding my blacklist with post IDs). My favourited post list is private and my blacklisted post list is potentially endless. It also leaves the actual favourites function open for other uses.

Comments:
If it's funny, witty, intelligent or agreeable, I'll upvote it. If it's cringy, RP, hateful, illegible or gibberish, I'll downvote it. If it's too obvious, boring or "I (dis)like this.", I'll ignore it. My standards on each of those may be different from those of others.

Somewhat unrelated. I just uploaded 13 pictures (all Sonic related), one of which was a diaper fetish pic. That one has more downvotes than the rest have upvotes.

Calimero000 said:
As long as the genitalia is not technically visible to the viewer it's not explicit.

Genjar said:
Wrong lesson learned.

I mean look at it!
post #1057284
https://e621.net/post_tag_history/index?post_id=1057284

Apparently it's also not ok to comment about the difference between lavender and Lupinus polyphyllus: post #1056329

Whenever I see something I don't like I move on, I never downvote, I just don't like it. If there are some things I find distasteful, someone might like it.

I downvote things I find gross, poorly-made, creepy, or otherwise offensive. pretty simple

I only downvote things if they have testicles in them. Or if they don't.

Calimero000 said:
I mean look at it!
post #1057284
https://e621.net/post_tag_history/index?post_id=1057284

Should be explicit. Rating changed.

Calimero000 said:
Apparently it's also not ok to comment about the difference between lavender and Lupinus polyphyllus: post #1056329

Should be tagged as lupin(e). Lavender does not grow like that or have that shape of leaf.

Calimero000 said:
Apparently it's also not ok to comment about the difference between lavender and Lupinus polyphyllus: post #1056329

I'm pretty sure that it got downvoted because of the mangled google link. If you're linking images, it's best to post the direct url.

Ratte said:
Should be tagged as lupin(e). Lavender does not grow like that or have that shape of leaf.

I used lupin_(plant), because lupin is used as character name and lupine can refer to wolves. Whereas lupin_(plant) is consistent with holly_(plant).

Furrin_Gok said:
Maybe on the grounds it's not very constructive. Constructive compliments are just as useful as constructive criticism. What's good about it? What makes it awesome? If an artist knows what to keep and what to change to improve their works, it's very helpful.

True, but it doesn't help if someone downvotes an image and doesn't GIVE any criticism....well, when it isn't either obviously poorly done, or the flaws are already recognized by the artist, like a first attempt at perspective drawing.. It essentially forces the artist to blindly search for something wrong with their art, which will simply lead to frustration and disappointment.

Duck_Hunt_Dog said:
True, but it doesn't help if someone downvotes an image and doesn't GIVE any criticism....well, when it isn't either obviously poorly done, or the flaws are already recognized by the artist, like a first attempt at perspective drawing.

That depends on the person judging. To me, something like this...

post #928949

...has an obvious perspective error, but do I now have to write a comment detailing that error just because I downvoted the image for having that error if others don't consider that error obvious or even notice the error at all? Also, I don't know if the artist knows about the error and it doesn't look like a first attempt.

I have an idea:
Let's downvote every post with a positive score, and upvote every post with a negative score.
Soon, all posts will have a score of 0, and there will be no more tears.

BlueDingo said:
That depends on the person judging. To me, something like this...

post #928949

...has an obvious perspective error, but do I now have to write a comment detailing that error just because I downvoted the image for having that error if others don't consider that error obvious or even notice the error at all? Also, I don't know if the artist knows about the error and it doesn't look like a first attempt.

No, but it's better and more helpful to the artist... You only know that the artist knows about it or was a first attempt if they say so.

Munkelzahn said:
I have an idea:
Let's downvote every post with a positive score, and upvote every post with a negative score.
Soon, all posts will have a score of 0, and there will be no more tears.

Hmm,

what do you all think about a 'neutral' vote button?

something like

vote up / [neutral button] /vote down

with only 2 choices, it's basically asking people 'do you like this or hate it'

I'm not surprised they tend to pick the latter (@Neitsuke) on average, even with blacklisting available

Downvoting a picture because of an artistic mistake doesn't exactly sound like a good reason to downvote a picture and doesn't really make sense too : I happen to like a lot of pictures where some flaws are easy to notice. Unless it really looks bad or contains something you really hate, or something is really stupid about the picture, like those dudes censoring their own stuff and begging you to join their Patreon, then there's not really a reason to dislike the picture.

A neutral vote sounds unnecessary and redundant to simply not voting at all. When I'm being neutral - As not particularly being fond on a picture, without having anything against it - then I just do not cast a vote.

However, a good change I wish e621 would make is to remove the negative comment threshold, because it only encourages people to silence others because of different opinions. Having a red flashy number next to your post is already bad for certain people, but having their comment pseudo-censored is what really aggravates me

titanmelon said:
what do you all think about a 'neutral' vote button?

with only 2 choices, it's basically asking people 'do you like this or hate it'

If people were forced to vote on everything they see, this would make sense. Good thing this site's voting functions like an American election and not an Australian one.

Neitsuke said:
However, a good change I wish e621 would make is to remove the negative comment threshold, because it only encourages people to silence others because of different opinions. Having a red flashy number next to your post is already bad for certain people, but having their comment pseudo-censored is what really aggravates me

Any user can disable this feature (sort of) if they want to. Just set it to -9001 or something.

The issue is that the average user doesn't bother with options and settings, and even if they would, the fact that people can easily dismiss your comments to everyone else with a single click isn't really great

Isn't the default threshold -2?

It is -2, but it is still too close to one guy having the control to dismiss your comment because he feels like it

Neitsuke said:
A neutral vote sounds unnecessary and redundant to simply not voting at all. When I'm being neutral - As not particularly being fond on a picture, without having anything against it - then I just do not cast a vote.

There's some really fun stuff you can do with the vote*: metatags, maybe i'll write a post about it soonish/eventually
--

However, a good change I wish e621 would make is to remove the negative comment threshold, because it only encourages people to silence others because of different opinions. Having a red flashy number next to your post is already bad for certain people, but having their comment pseudo-censored is what really aggravates me

Hmm, this may be a rather serious issue, not even limited to this site
especially with the advent of social media networking [insert other buzzwords here]

What about removing the negative vote option altogether?
(i can't remember if reddit or something had a similar implementation, or what became of that)

pixiv does this in a way, you can rate something from 1-10, and a total is displayed, along with the number of unique ratings
-
we could possibly extend that to comments as well

Oh also,

tl;dr people, or rather: people and their surrounding environments are complicated

Neitsuke said:
If it is because you begin to feel sad from seeing a red negative score from time to time, I think the problem lies somewhere else.

There are shades of truth in this, imo,

on one hand people taking everything on the internet and irl too personally, and as an insult to their very existence isn't very healthy for any community in the long run [citation needed]

on the other hand, everyone has different interpretations/thresholds for what may upset them

it could be the act of being 'downvoted' itself, [the red mark]
or maybe the surrounding intent, [non-physical]
or a combination of those and other things

--
having an option to 'downvote' somebody or something in the first place sends a subliminal message to its community about what sort of behavior is, and isn't acceptable

TMYK

Taking away the option to downvote will upset more people than being downvoted will. Anyone who posts something must accept the fact that someone may not like it and may indicate that with a downvote. No one's downvoting any of my comments yet but that's probably because I haven't said anything bad enough to deserve one yet.

_{Although now that I've said that, someone's probably gonna go and downvote one of my comments just to spite me...
^{Although now that I've said that, they probably won't because they think I'm expecting them to do it...
Hmm... Decisions, decisions...}}