It's no surprise that this would be common, especially in some subverses. But those that are supposed to be serious and for discussion often get poisoned by this. Up-votes and down-votes can make things rather one-sided and into a hive-mind of sorts.
How can we, mods or the community at large prevent hive mind mentality? Even if people don't downvote comments or posts that go against their beliefs they are less inclined to upvote than someone that agrees and makes other good points. Doesn't this foster some sort of hive mentality and where is it a good thing and where is it a bad thing? If I don't have an opinion yet about a topic and the highest comments are all about x is really y does this mean that it is right?
Does this promote conformity and stifle discussion indirectly?
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[–] nilceps [S] 1 point -1 points 0 points (+0|-1) ago
Something something comparing your real world life with your online life something we are able to surround ourselves with people that don't always agree with us something
[–] big_fat_dangus 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Can you please at least try to properly say what you're trying to say?
[–] nilceps [S] ago
What why should I? Your whole argument was "People are people and there is no way to stop it" Ignoring the fact that upvotes and downvotes are more or less a direct behavioural tool similar to the gold stars teachers used when you were little. And don't tell me that you didn't want to get a lot of those stars you wanted them the same way people now want upvotes.
If you don't try I don't see why I should either.