If downvotes had been used as originally intended, they would be perfectly fine. But the cultural shift over time on the site from “downvote things not adding to the conversation” to “downvote what I don’t agree with” made their existence more toxic to conversations. Weighing down unpopular opinions in the sort feed made it even easier for echo chambers to build up. Having a way to give comments that are productive a bump is enough for effectively sorting things.

Things are good! Workload got lightened a lot so I have time to catch up of stuff around the house and work on some projects I’ve had on hold. The weather’s also getting to the point I like here. I live for rainy afternoons.