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Re:A former CIA spy has revealed his key role in the arrest ... by ZenoArrow on Sunday May 15, 2016 @11:52AM (#11701352)
Only if you treat downvotes as bad. My own comments on this thread have received a fair number of both upvotes and downvotes. I consider when that happens (assuming I haven't been overly antagonistic, which I don't think I have been) that I've hit a raw nerve. I could be wrong, but alternatively I could've said something someone isn't willing to hear. That can be useful feedback in its own right (though I prefer the clarity of comments over votes).
Re:A former CIA spy has revealed his key role in the arrest ... by nxzero on Sunday May 15, 2016 @11:59AM (#11701376)
Maybe it's me, but it's rare that my comments get more that 10 votes (up/down) - and as such, I don't make anything of votes to my comments; statistical significance, poor sample, puppet accounts, etc.

What I do make something of is meaningful responses to my comments.

Re:A former CIA spy has revealed his key role in the arrest ... by ZenoArrow on Sunday May 15, 2016 @12:17PM (#11701458)
Sure, such feedback is rare, it does require significant feedback in both directions, it doesn't work with single upvote/downvote swings.

It's also very obvious when you've said something that annoys one individual as you can get a string of downvotes in quick succession across multiple comments. Such feedback is easy to spot and see as childish, so I enjoy it for what it is instead.

That said, I much prefer comments, even those that disagree with me.

Re:A former CIA spy has revealed his key role in the arrest ... by april1stislame on Sunday May 15, 2016 @11:56AM (#11701371)
Yes, you described the problem very well. Nice to see you are aware of contributing to it.
Re:A former CIA spy has revealed his key role in the arrest ... by ZenoArrow on Sunday May 15, 2016 @12:31PM (#11701522)
I'm aware I can say things that people don't like, yes, but in some cases it's more beneficial to have a respectful debate than to stay silent. If I'm not prepared to listen to opposing opinions then I'll be robbing myself of getting a deeper understanding.
Re:A former CIA spy has revealed his key role in the arrest ... by april1stislame on Sunday May 15, 2016 @01:09PM (#11701691)
So, why comment if an downvote is enough, as you say?
Re:A former CIA spy has revealed his key role in the arrest ... by ZenoArrow on Sunday May 15, 2016 @01:26PM (#11701785)
A downvote is second best to a comment explaining the reason behind the disagreement. A comment is better feedback than a vote because you can get a clearer understanding from a comment.