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I like the reason "This doesn't add to the conversation."

Why downvote if it doesn't detract from the conversation?

My rule of thumb is to upvote if the comment is insightful or has information I find useful. Downvote if it seems blatantly incorrect, mean, overly negative or is actively trying to make the conversation worse. Otherwise I just ignore it.

Why do you feel that something that is incorrect (even blatantly) isn't useful? I have often observed a thread where somebody ignorantly spouts something and is taught appropriately. I've learned stuff from those and left with a net positive. The original poster might never admit to being wrong, or changing his world-view, but I certainly have many times.

I have had responses actually change my mind, and try to respond as such. I agree that you don't see it much though

In this case "blatantly incorrect" meant lies with a likely ulterior motive. Off the top of my head I can't think of any case where this has been an issue on HN, but I have seen it on other forums where marketers try to spin problems with their products.

Comments that add nothing to the conversation are noise, and noise necessarily harms the signal-to-noise ratio.

What if such a comment was the only one? Is is better that the OP observe no votes and no comments, or a single comment saying "Thanks!"?

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