There is a pull request which adds a new setting show_downvotes with these settings:

  • Show (current behaviour)
  • Hide (all downvotes hidden in ui)
  • ShowForOthers (only downvotes on other user’s posts are visible)

Importantly the last option would become the new default, which means that users wont be aware that their post or comment was downvoted unless they manually change the setting. This may be good for mental health, but may also make it harder for users to realize that their content is unpopular. What do you think about it?

Here is the pull request

  • KimBongUn420@lemmy.mlEnglish
    1·
    2 days ago

    The other side is:

    • it challenges you to formulate your disagreement
    • if the community holds awful takes they never get exposed to a differing opinion (although moderation can do that too)
    • there’s people out there that believe: more upvotes = more true and Formulate their opinions based on that
    • “dunking” and “ratio” only work if the content of the comment/criticism is valid. Otherwise its just showing your ass