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Comment by algorias | Hacker News Reader

Downvoting needs to cost a karma point, or perhaps a fraction of one.

That's actually a great idea. Maybe the karma point could be given back if the post is voted down to -4 (showing that it actually should be voted down).

I like this idea. Could be gamed by a group of 'bullies', but it would be very obvious and easy to pick up by an automated filter similar to those already in place.

This could damage some beneficial behaviour. For example sometimes I'll check out new users comments ("noobcomments") and go on a spree of downvoting spammy stuff.

Such behaviour would appear to be negative if it cost karma. Sadly social conditioning and moderately low self-esteem mean that this would moderate my application of this [apparently to me] beneficial behaviour.

That's an interesting idea and should be explored further. The idea that as you gain standing (karma) you can expend it on socially damaging acts that may be useful. It would certainly alter the dynamic and make the downvote less casual.

I challenge the assumption in this subthread that downvoting is a "socially damaging act." In many cases, downvoting is simply cleaning out the trash and improving the community. There are quite a few downvotes that should, if anything, GAIN karma for the users who make them.

Like it or not, downvoting is often perceived as an act of social violence by the downvotee. And it is intended and widely understood to be a punishment, the opposite of approval.

Social sanctions like that may be necessary, but they also degrade the quality of life overall. Downvoting should have a cost, especially when it's an anonymous act.

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