Low Ratings: For troll-killing or signalling disagreement?

by David Nir

Daily Kos Staff Emeritus

(This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 Thursday, Oct. 16, 2003 at 9:37:14am PDT

I have my own opinions on this issue, but I'd like to know what other people think. Particularly:

Should you use low ratings (2s and 1s) only to squelch trolls or other nastiness, or is it acceptable to use, say, a "2" to rate a post you disagree with?

Now, on the flipside, I think (of course) that if you really like a post, give it a "4" or "5". But I personally think that low ratings should only be given for "harmful" posts, which is what I think Kos had in mind. (He's mentioned that he doesn't want, say, Dean supporters to be able to squelch Clarkies with just a click of the mouse, and vice-versa.)

If you disagree with someone, but their post is civil, thoughtful, and reasonable, then I think you just shouldn't rate the comment. Any thoughts on this?