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?
Yes. As a hexbear user where down votes are disabled I find the experience is much more enjoyable. Ideally down votes off would be the default for servers.
This setting is only about how downvotes are displayed. They still exist and will be visible to other users, but not to the post creator. Disabling downvotes entirely as default is a separate discussion.
Oh, for sure, I understand the distinction. Not seeing downvotes on your own posts is a good measure for reasons stated. I’m just saying also support a more aggressive stance, which is making downvotes off for new server instances, that’s all.
would be interesting to compare results
Giving feedback from the other side of the comradeship wall, you hardly have downvotes on your comments anyhow. Even libs downvote you less than lemmy.ml and lemmygrad users
Yeah, generally downvotes are pretty minimal across the board for sure.