That people can down-vote my posts here really, really spoils any reason why I should give a damn when I see a question because I know that I will get voted down if some random dude/dudette doesn't agree.

I could mention that Gamedev.net is third on the list of the most Nazi-driven communities, after Wikipedia and StackOverflow, but I won't. ;)

What is the reasoning behind allowing people to vote down?

The only effect that has is that I will think twice (or more) before asking myself if enough fucks are given to justify taking the time to provide an answer, contribute to a brainstorm, etc.

I know it's not essential, but I can't help that it pisses me off. I mean, I could have just shut up, instead of taking the time to post, right?

This is just a rant to tell you all how counter-productive down-voting is.

When we turned down-voting off in the YiiFramework community the atmosphere improved quite a bit. And on the Ogre3d forum we implemented kudos, but decided not to have any option to give negative kudos.

I am not delusional, so I know that this topic probably would do nada with regards to changing it here - and it will probably be locked/mocked/deleted (or worse) - but I am not ashamed of my opinion. ;)

When we turned down-voting off in the YiiFramework community the atmosphere improved quite a bit. And on the Ogre3d forum we implemented kudos, but decided not to have any option to give negative kudos.

seems to work quite well for most people.

I kind of suspected that.

Thanks for listening. ;)

I could mention that Gamedev.net is third on the list of the most Nazi-driven communities, after Wikipedia and StackOverflow

.

Abrasive folks tend to get down voted a lot.

You were downvoted on 2 posts and only one of them has a negative net balance. I've seen far worse....

Anyway, first rule of the voting system: You don't talk about the voting system.

I know.

Can't help talking about it.

It's childish of me, I know, but I get upset when down-voted for no good reason

Abrasive folks tend to get down voted a lot.

Honest folks, you mean?

That's my view of down-voting: it brings out the worst in people; hence the comparison.