Mostly just annoying. Kinda wish the site didn’t have downvotes or maybe even upvotes. Specifically downvotes though are never used to indicate “This info is factually wrong” or “This is a racist comment.” I mean, they might also be, but the primary usage despite any intention years ago is a cathartic “fuck you!” to the person you’re downvoting. It’s used so much for that purpose that I basically mentally swap downvotes for upvotes when it’s a topic that will anger libs. Their disapproval just shows me I probably said something correct (but also further shows the worthlessness of the downvote button). Probably the “like” button is about the only useful such device to indicate engagement but limit butthurt kneejerk downvotes.

And before anyone thinks I’m making this like my life priority: I’m really not. I don’t care that much. It’s just one of those things which seems outdated and should go away but probably never will because the anticipated asshurt is so high. I absolutely know reddit soys, chud or libs, would lose their minds crying over it if it happened (see the time YouTube removed their dislike button- people fucking still try to code it back in lol).

Welp, back to downvoting all the liberal comments :)

it might affect the “Hot” rankings (just a guess)