On the popular liberal/progressive website Daily Kos,
the equivalent of downvoting, “hide rec”’ing, is meant to be used only for really
offensive or out-of-line comments. Abusing that function, i.e., by constantly doing it to
the same user or similar opinions reasonably expressed, can lead to sanctions against your
account.
I wonder if it might be worth it to try to envision a system that works somewhat like a
combination of Daily Kos, Slashdot, and Stack Exchange. On Stack Exchange you don’t
immediately start with the ability to up or down vote things, but gain the ability very
quickly if you participate in discussions. I feel as though the reputation system of
Stack Exchange, combined with the way that Slashdot shows comments, and the verbiage and
mannerisms of Daily Kos, might allow for a pretty robust system.
Thank you,
Derric Atzrott