Comment 56544

By mystoneycreek (registered) - website | Posted January 16, 2011 at 14:18:22

For it to succeed, all hands must be on deck to vigorously debate but even more importantly defend each other's right to dissenting opinions. As much as Hume or Paul Wilson have contributions to make in their communities, each only represents a slice of the reality of Toronto or Hamilton. RTH speaks to that slice and sadly downvotes anyone else who tries to bring in a rational, thoughtful contrary opinion.

Which is why I find 'downvoting' to be part of the quiver of the adolescent. You do not foster great dialogue, constructive discourse by essentially blowing raspberries at others. You wouldn't do it in real Life, why do people default to this behaviour online?

As I suggested on my own site recently, there should be two options for readers. A 'Like' button, and a 'Reply' button. And this second one because all 'conversations' need context. The simple kind of context, the straightforward kind, not some progamming-weenie's kind.

If you're the kind of person who needs to 'downvote' someone, guess what? You're probably not adding much of anything constructive to the mix. It ends up being a gesture less about solving problems than about reinforcing factions and schisms and divisiveness.

Permalink | Context

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