I got a $20 downvote on a post that meant something to me the other day. I get downvotes all the time. The thing is, the downvotes don't remove the fact that the words I wrote meant something to me. I wrote them for myself and no one can take that away, or the feeling of them.

As I said, I get downvotes all the time and never mention it because none of the rewards on my posts are mine until after the expiration of the seven days and people have the right to downvote, or upvote as they see fit. But it doesn't negate the words the user has written as I say above. It doesn't make them any less powerful or meaningful to the author. I think there's a lot to be said for an author shifting his or her paradigm towards writing for the enjoyment of it; that way no one can take anything from them, physically or emotionally.

Now, in respect of what I put in my original comment to you about my community...Sure, I could have taken more of my time to write a longer message to you however, that's why I set the rules out in the community, so I don't have to make long-winded replies and communications in respect of people not reading or following the rules that are clearly displayed. The onus is on the user to verify the rules of the community they post in. I do this, still, even after five years, if I post into a community I have not posted in before.

Again, referring to the last part of this very post...People should familiarise themselves with the rules of the communities they post in. I don't have the time to write the same thing over and over to those who do not. I have a life, a family, job, hobbies, challenges and complications and all that, just like everyone.

Anyway, I think this subject has been done to death already.

You have a choice, move on and do your thing or hold onto this little speed bump that got in your way. If you move on you have the choice of where to do it, who to engage with and who not to.

I hope you make decisions that you're happy with and your process continues. If, like anyone else here, you choose to do things that others wish to address you'll have to accept that as part of the environment in which you've chosen to operate. It's best to accept it with graciousness. It's like the real world really, there's rules, parameters and guidelines to operate around...and mechanism's in place to ensure they happen, or those who do not follow them are addressed.