When do you downvote a comment?

2013-11-09T06:56:23-05:00

I am finding that as the community of RallyPoint grows and becomes more active, that more and more comments are being down voted simply because they disagree with a point. I only down vote a comment when it is disrespectful, arrogant, or incredibly ignorant. I am of the opinion that even if someone disagrees with me, their post can still be well thought out, and of value to the conversation.  What about you?

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2013 1:59 PM

2013-11-09T13:59:39-05:00

I don't think I've voted anyone down since I started
participating in conversations. I don't see how I have the right to tell
another that their opinion, question, or suggestion is less than irrelavent, it’s
negative.  I vote up a lot, like CPL Fittizzi,
I even vote for points I oppose because of the way it’s presented, or the
thoughts/discussions it invokes.  I know
I’m not always right, and I frequently play devils advocate to try and get
people to expand their comfort zone to see another side, or dig deep and defend
something they believe in with more than just an opinion.  Rest assured, I won’t vote someone down
unless their post is “negative,” meaning they are unprofessional or a personal
attack.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Nov 9 at 2013 5:41 PM

2013-11-09T17:41:04-05:00

Gents, this is a good thread for us to build on.  How about you come up with a list of criteria that should be used by members to help them determine whether they should down vote a response?  If you guys come up with a good list, which I am confident you will, then we can post that as overall guidance on the site.  How does that sound?  Ultimately, this could help create consistency across the platform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2013 6:39 PM

2013-11-09T18:39:34-05:00

I found people can be a little mean on these discussions. I don't vote down, i honestly believe people have the right to their opinion. i have had people vote me down but generally people are incredibly supportive.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Nov 10 at 2013 3:16 AM

2013-11-10T03:16:41-05:00

I have to agree with the comments on this thread already.  Voting down is something that I have done maybe twice.  And that was specifically because the person making the comment was being rude and attempting to provoke others into an argument that had no validity to the original thread.  All of us can be reach by email on RallyPoint.  Go VFR direct if you want to "attack."  There is really no place for that in this forum.  I really enjoy reading other peoples views on these threads.  When comments become derogatory, no longer serve the purpose of being thought provoking, or are attempting to illicit other negative or degrading comments, then I believe "voting down" is warranted. 

Response by Cpl Ray Fernandez made Nov 10 at 2013 10:26 AM

2013-11-10T10:26:21-05:00

I have yet to downvote any comments. I think the only way I would I think would be if someone starts making personal attacks towards anyone else in here. I believe everyone's opinion is valid even if it isn't something I would agree with. I see this site as a place to help each other out by sharing our knowledge and experiences and although this is a professional environment, there is also room to have fun. So I think nobody should feel any type of pressure about their responses unless they engage in some sort of unprofessional conduct.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 11 at 2013 11:00 PM

2013-11-11T23:00:07-05:00

SGT Birkinbine, I agree with your logic that if a post/comment is "disrespectful, arrogant, or incredibly ignorant" then it might constitute a down-vote. Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and when it's well thought out there is value added, even if some might disagree. On the other hand, I believe some things are better left unsaid, and some topics have no place in a forum where the population is being held by the UCMJ. However, this isn't my site, and I don't make the rules. I rather enjoy seeing what's on the minds of my brothers and sisters in arms, good or bad. You, Sarge, have been up-voted!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2013 7:55 AM

2013-11-12T07:55:03-05:00

I agree with most of the other posts on this thread. Generally I only down vote if the comment is asinine, or just a hot mess. Otherwise even if I completely disagree with you, I will still not down vote.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2013 8:28 AM

2013-11-12T08:28:13-05:00

This is an excellent discussion, one issue in which I have dealt with recently in one of the discussion forums. I, personally, would only vote down on a post if the poster writes something completely ridiculous and/or downright wrong with the information posted (as well as disrespectful). Granted there are those who will have a difference of opinion in many areas and aspects of life/military, there still should be a discussion or "challenge" to the posting prior to any opposing votes. I recently had one of my comments voted down because I had a difference of opinion to a poster I responded to. It's honestly nothing to be upset about and I definitely wasn't but rather than respond to my comment, the poster opted to simply vote against what I wrote (despite the fact I started my comment with "with all due respect"). Since when are beyond the times of simple and respectful debate? I believe that if we would only take what the other person is saying with consideration then respond with our own respectful retort it could make us better leaders and soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines. Remember, this is a platform where people of all ranks can have healthy discussions regarding military life without the threat of being "trumped" by superiors while maintaining decorum, military bearing and a fine line of respect for each other and those who outrank us. I will say that I have voted down on one person because I responded to something they posted regarding an action they committed as wrong and premature and rather than responding or defending their point of view, they simply voted my comment down.

Response by SSG Lisa Rendina made Nov 12 at 2013 10:53 PM

2013-11-12T22:53:08-05:00

I haven't been active on here long, but I agree with others that the only reason to down-vote a comment is if it is rude, disrespectful or just plain incorrect. Not being able to see who placed the down-vote or a down-vote with no coordinating response is the same premise as receiving a less-than-stellar NCOER but never having been counselled on the action or behavior. As leaders it is up to us to help our subordinates grow and become better Soldiers and leaders through monthly and event-oriented counselling. If this is not happening then we are failing as leaders. Your NCOER rating should not come as a surprise.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 13 at 2013 9:53 AM

2013-11-13T09:53:57-05:00

SGT Birkinbine, I also agree with the "disrespectful, arrogant, or incredibly ignorant" comment.  There are some people on here who relish in the fact that people will read what they have to say, when those comments just shouldn't be posted.<div> </div><div>I also hold the down vote for someone who is obviously just "trolling" the site, trying to stir up arguments that are unnecessary, while insulting others in the process.  When I find this, it often seems to be the same people each time, and I will down vote in order to (hopefully) get the point across that this type of discussion should not happen on a professional forum, such as this one. </div>

Response by CPT Mike M. made Nov 13 at 2013 4:56 PM

2013-11-13T16:56:44-05:00

I think your explanation is spot on, personally. That's how I down-vote. Up-votes I give if someone has something insightful to say, if I learned something new, or occassionally I'll let personal opinion sway if I completely in agreeance with someone's comment. However, I try not to let opinions cause negative votes.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2014 8:01 AM

2014-07-17T08:01:41-04:00

I actually UP vote a lot of comments from people disagreeing with me as long as they're a logical argument. I think about the only down votes I've ever given are for rudeness or disrespect.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2014 2:28 PM

2014-07-17T14:28:08-04:00

SGT Chris Birkinbine , great thread question. I'm just now seeing this thread so I apologize for a late response. I do tend to down-vote more often than others but I do so for very specific reasons some of which you mentioned. If a comment is dishonest, inaccurate, false, demeaning, insulting (name-calling), excessive/unnecessary profanity (without context), or just simply emotional then I will down-vote. I will NEVER EVER down-vote out of spite or just because someone disagrees with me or states something I disagree with. There have been posts that are thought out, even though a bit misguided, that can add value to the conversation.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Jul 17 at 2014 3:27 PM

2014-07-17T15:27:25-04:00

I don't make it a policy to down vote anyone, although I have been close a couple times. Only when it is a personal attack, or the person is being extremely disrespectful will I consider down voting anyone.

If someone disagrees with me, or I them, I simply voice my rebuttal.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jul 17 at 2014 9:23 PM

2014-07-17T21:23:58-04:00

Personally, never. If I like or agree with a comment I give it a thumbs up, If I don't I simply move on or politely reply with my opinion. I seen some true dunderheads make comments that I thought were in appropriate or prejudicial and I let them go - you know, that 1st Amendment thing. I've been thumbed down because of a bad joke here and there and most recently, simply because I would pay more than $10.00 for a hair cut. Go figure. When you thumbs up someone its pretty clear why you do it, but when you thumbs down someone its not clear. Did I offend someone or do they just disagree with me - who knows.

Response by SGT James Murphy made Apr 18 at 2019 4:38 PM

2019-04-18T16:38:52-04:00

I always agreed with SGT Birkinbines description. I believe that is how it works. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 18 at 2019 5:00 PM

2019-04-18T17:00:15-04:00

A select few will actually call you names instead of addressing the debate.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Apr 18 at 2019 5:01 PM

2019-04-18T17:01:32-04:00

I don't think I've ever down voted anyone except a thread that seemed overtly racist once. The other heated debates have been different interpretations of regs or odd opinions that weren't supported by facts or statistics so while disagreeable it's hard to tell someone their opinion isn't worth listening to which is how I view a down vote.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Apr 18 at 2019 6:02 PM

2019-04-18T18:02:58-04:00

It has to be pretty egregious for me to down vote. Thus far, I have never done so. Differences of opinion are part of what is great about this site. You do not learn much from people who have the same perspective as you do. Though we often demonstrate the accuracy of a series of Stanford studies that suggest that we won't let facts get in the way of keeping our opinions the same

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Apr 19 at 2019 9:08 AM

2019-04-19T09:08:28-04:00

Love the responses

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2022 9:29 PM

2022-08-02T21:29:59-04:00

comments that are offensive and contain bad words, I will object to them. https://sedecordle.io

Sedecordle

Sedecordle - Crazy game created from wordle, you have 19 guesses to solve 16 wordles in one go. Sounds crazy fun, let's try

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2022 9:31 PM

2022-08-02T21:31:35-04:00

comments that are offensive and contain bad words, I will object to them. https://sedecordle.io

Sedecordle

Sedecordle - Crazy game created from wordle, you have 19 guesses to solve 16 wordles in one go. Sounds crazy fun, let's try