Suggest to HN: 1 downvote should cost 2 karma.

9 points·andrewstuart··13 comments

Why? I don't think there's a problem of too much downvoting. As far as I can tell, the comment quality has actually improved recently with better comments bubbling to the top while not-as-constructive ones fading away.

If anything, link submissions or comment submissions should deduct karma so as to curb spammy (and possibly unsubstantiated) behavior. Of course this lends itself to issues of new users not being able to engage as much.

Maybe people should have to explain why they are downvoting.

It would be better if users were required to leave a comment along with their downvote.

Either a) no one will downvote because the impact of the downvote is negligible or b) downvoting will continue the same since 2 Karma really isn't that much.

This is not a Nash equilibrium.

Maybe a doing downvoting should lead to a five minute timeout from reading HN.

Then why would anyone downvote if there's a punishment for the person doing the downvoting?!

Cause people can downvote with impunity. It's like a society where it's OK to punch someone.

then just remove the function?

Would you please stop this? The HN guidelines ask you not to complain about being downvoted.

Everyone gets downvoted. It isn't interesting, and it doesn't matter.

Can't help but wonder how many downvotes this is going to get.

So annoying to get a downvote without explanation.

In the real world there's a price to pay if you hit someone. Not on HN - hit people with downvotes and no comeback or explanation or cost.

Nice downvote.

That should have cost you 2 karma.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com