Embrace The Downvote...?

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I've been on chain for almost 5 years now and I've seen quite a bit. And nothing seems to get people on the blockchain more fired up than...

The downvote debate!

I addressed this a few years ago and had quite a good discussion about it all, and recently there has been some 'downvote drama' that some of us, including yours truly, have been caught in the cross fire.

Generally, in all my years on chain I have kept clear of all downvote drama, downvote wars and downvote debates. My thought on the entire thing is...Abuse gets my downvote but not much else does.

I know that's not a popular opinion, but Hive generally does a pretty good job of self-policing itself until the 'wars' start...Then it's all emotion and insanity lol But at the end of the day, your stake, your choice! You can vote for someone, or you can downvote someone.

And boy did I get one last night LOL I'm kind of scared to say it but I think this was my biggest downvote ever and I hope it's the last but anywho.....lol

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I'm o.k. with it because...I understand Hive and what a downvote is.

Here's the problem with downvotes though for the chain as a whole...

Experienced Hive members understand, that until 7 days is up, those aren't your rewards. You have 7 days to earn as many as you can, and if someone doesn't agree with what you are going to cash out, they can reduce it with a downvote. I understand it completely. I don't agree with it, because I'm more of the mind that if I don't like something...I move on. But I 100000% understand it and respect it.

But the issue isn't for people that...Know Hive.

The issue isn't for people that have been around the block, gone through a few downvote wars and understand the rewards pool.

What the issue comes down to someone that has just shown up on chain...

They put their blood, sweat and tears into a post. And then a few days after they publish it, poof, some of those rewards are gone because of something they don't understand.

An upvote is a positive feeling.

It makes you feel like you are valued.

A downvote, is tough to swallow when you are new.

You are just learning the ropes, trying to figure out the community and what makes this place tick and then...You get this 'negative' vote on your post.

Again, my concern isn't with someone who has been here getting a downvote or two. Most of us accept it and while it still sucks, we understand what happened and can live with it. But for that new member to the blockchain, that becomes a negative experience. And guess what happens when people start having negative experiences?

They don't come back.

Who am I? Just a guy who shows up every day on Hive, loves this place and wants to add massive value to it each and every day. So I'm hardly a whale and most definitely not an expert when it comes to everything technical on Hive.

I understand the protection of the rewards pool, and I think the downvote serves a fantastic purpose for keeping abuse out of here. It's not perfect, but hey, it's decentralized and as the saying goes...Your stake, your choice!

But going around and downvoting people that are being supported by someone you have a grudge with. Potentially could turn a new Hive member into a previous Hive member as there's a good chance they won't come back around.

I know, I know....I'm living in a utopian society lol But I just can't help but think....If Hive wins. If all these tribes win. We all win.