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I'm still confused at how the down-vote is supposed to be used. This person is getting down-voted for posting an opinion that people here disagree with. But it's a constructive opinion that has generated 5 constructive responses, which in turn has become a discussion. No reason for a down-vote here.

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I upvoted but posted a dissenting opinion. The people downvoting are wrong.

"Wrong" in what sense? pg has said in the past that downvoting as a way of disagreeing is fine on HN.

If I recall correctly, that was in the sense of a comment being factually incorrect, or so far off-base as to represent a damaging assertion. That is, the need to signal to a reader would outweigh the desire to avoid downvoting based on disagreement.

In this case, civilian presented interesting points regarding independent accomplishment and his own feelings of disenfranchisement. I can't come up with a very good explanation for a downvote.

'Wrong' in that it's like punching someone you disagree with as opposed to shaking his hand if you agree with them when you could have just voiced your thoughts. I presume pg says its fine because it'll mean less flamey comments.

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