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A downvote on a 4-day-old comment...

Is not possible since they turn downvotes off after 24 hours.

/pedant

As someone who incessantly refreshes HN and spends a fair amount of time on the Comments page, I see no reason why it wouldn't be people seeing new comments to older discussions via the Comments section rather than bots. Although I am a demographic outlier in multiple ways, I cannot possibly be the only person routinely cruising the new comments section.

Good point about the new comments feed. I think your parent either misspoke or misunderstood their parent's "[downvoted] comments on 4 day old conversations", which would mean a new (down votable) comment on a thread that started 4 days earlier.

Correct.....old conversation, new comment.

The giveaway, imho, is a downvote on a completely inoffensive comment, combined with certain other increasingly common patterns.

it's probably just a grouchy misanthrope or two catching up on HN on their day off.

I do this :)

just a grouchy misanthrope or two catching up on HN on their day off.

Who's calling me?