I actually hate downvote.

@Zeb
 
ah, I see

@Feydrid Kearn  
Not reactions, reasoning. Why a person supports a position is as important as what they support as far I’m concerned, and there are reasons I do and do not respect, even when it comes to positions I agree with. I refuse to support the right position for the wrong reasons, and so I asked him to explain his positions on a couple issues because I was curious what his rationale was.
 
And also because saying taking away downvotes would create a “hugbox” doesn’t really explain anything at all. I like for things to be explained in terms that don’t involve buzzwords.

@Dusk Raven  
The seeking Tetra’s reaction part confused me. It just seems petty, and unproductive.

@Feydrid Kearn  
What do you mean by not making sense? Which part are you referring to?
 
I must have said so in the initial announcement thread, then. Or maybe a DeviantART thread. I dunno. But that was my intention.

@Dusk Raven  
That… Makes no sense, but that’s your life, your comment, your decision, and your (Wasted) time, not mine.
 
And I reread eveything, and no, you never mentioned you were acting on behalf of an opinion that wasn’t yours.

@Feydrid Kearn  
I’m fairly certain I did in fact say so. Maybe I didn’t, sometimes I remember wrong or I say things in one thread but not another. If nothing else I’ve repeatedly stated that I don’t support removing downvotes, and my questions to Tetra were entirely because I wanted to read his response and I stated as such. Didn’t seem to change anything.

@Dusk Raven  
When one plays the Devil’s advocate, you have to state you are doing so. If you don’t, those of differing opinions will mistake you for an enemy everytime without fail. You should have come out and said you were simply playing a role, not being yourself. I can assure you the argument would have been very different had you done so.
 
In any case, we agree on something. None here stand to gain anything from arguments any longer until the voting on the new systems are completed. Those in favor of both Up/Down Votes and a new hiding feature seem to have the vote locked down, which will make the majority happy.

@Feydrid Kearn  
…Part of the reason I stopped responding is because you and Tetra don’t seem to have much of an idea of what I’m actually saying. I’ve never praised the admins as saints, and I wouldn’t even think of doing so. The only point I’ve been trying to make regarding their character is that I personally haven’t seen them banning people just for commenting.
 
I mean, when you say I’ve been praising them and I haven’t, when @Tetragrammaton Cleric says “By your slippery logical slope, I suppose we should just get rid of all user abilities then, hmm?” when I’m not actually in favor of removing downvotes, it’s not particularly encouraging. I do poke holes in logic I find flawed… which apparently gets interpreted as defendubg, and me playing Devil’s Advocate opens myself up to criticism and accusations of “playing dumb.”
 
It’s a lot of emotional energy used, with me knowing it was probably avoidable.
 
@Background Pony #10D5  
While I’m here: “Fine, you want specifics? I’ll give you some.
 
I happen to be a Christian man, and as such, I am party and expected to partake in celebration of my Savior’s birth by saying the term, “Merry Christmas” If someone makes, for instance, a rule stating that I cannot say this phrase or I will be reprimanded, (fired, arrested, pay-docked, tortured, executed, ect.) then they are inhibiting my FREEDOM and right to worship my God.
 
Someone like you would probably role over and take it, saying something like, “Fine, it’s only a phrase. I’ll just not say it anymore. That freedom doesn’t matter to me.” But ya see, that’s where we don’t see eye-to-eye.”
 
Well, “roll over and take it” implies it would actually a problem in the first place. Part of that freedom you enjoy is that I am under no obligation whatsoever to say “Merry Christmas.” I’m not a Christian, but even if I were I wouldn’t say “Merry Christmas” all December. I say “Merry Christmas” on Christmas Eve or Day itself, but I also say what I want, and what I want need not involve saying “Merry Christmas” as a season-specific greeting.
 
The dire consequences you mentioned for saying “Merry Christmas” are extremely unlikely and not worth considering for that specific instance. Freedom of speech, after all, and while someone could make the argument it’s not necessary for worship, it is your right to do that. But if there were something I wanted to do that became forbidden… well, I can best describe my stance there as being similar to good military doctrine - you don’t defend every little thing you have to the death just because its yours. You pick your fights, and defend when you can win, or when your gain outweighs your loss.
 
…Which is probably related to why I’ve stayed away for 11 days. I don’t really have anything to gain. I find discussing intellectual and philosophical issues interesting at times, but that requires the right sort of discussion partner. As I’ve mentioned, I don’t care for removing downvotes, I have no particular opinion on the admins, but I don’t appreciate being treated as though I do.

@Feydrid Kearn  
I’m not entirely sure on your choice of adjectives, but hey, I’ll take the compliment.

@Background Pony #4C04  
I was “Background Pony #10D5” because I’d forgotten to sign in between long waiting periods.
 
Thank you for setting my argument a little straighter, putting a finer point on it.

@Deserter  
Yes, but let’s try to keep foul words from our mouths when speaking of our beloved King Longshanks, hmm? I agree with you, but I must advise you watch yourself. This site needs as many with a brain and moral center as possible, so losing you would be much more than a simple pity.

@Feydrid Kearn  
I think we’re glossing over the fact that TSP is a prick.  
Like, it’s not even my opinion here, he’s objectively an asshole, and this is coming from the guy with twelve Rule 0 bans.

@Background Pony #10D5  
You don’t even have to argue such particulars. Broadly speaking a downvote plus upvote system is inherently more accurate in defining reception of art posted, be it ambiguous or not, than simply an upvote system, simply a downvote system, or no voting system what-so-ever. The utility of the system is apparent even without well defined reasons for reception (No nuanced critique for example) as some vague degree of reception is more useful than no reception or less well defined reception. This utility extends to not only the artist, as they want to know how other people view their art, but also the audience as they too want to know how the community views said art. Many people would not take the time to comment, as clicking a approve or disapprove button is much faster. Reading comments to gauge reception (especially negative critique) takes longer than simply glancing at a well rounded visual representation. Seems sufficient to warrant implementation, unless of course one does not value these benefits. Perhaps as the site owner you do not wish to spend the extra time needed to implement and continually maintain such a feature. If this is the case then so be it, but it’s clearly a feature many users of this website want, and I’m glad that at least for now, they chose to keep it in place.

@Blossomforth  
Well, at least today wasn’t just meaningless bickering. At least I made a nice mod smile after all of trash you’ve most likely been through this week.

@Feydrid Kearn  

 
That is the best comment I’ve seen all month. That legitimately made me smile.

@Zeb  
Bugger this, all of it. It’s over now, that’s what matters. I’m now tired and somewhat angry over nothing. Thanks for the clarification, Zeb. You and Blossomforth would make far better admins than our current three.

@Feydrid Kearn  
Honestly, it’s not the first image to have people rage over things in it for weeks. It happens from time to time. Before the applejack one was some tracing images a couple of months before that. It happens and is something we’ve gotten used to.
 
Heck, if anything was spawned from it, it was us trying to make tag descriptions clearer to avoid people trying to loophole definitions.

@Zeb  
I find that odd too, considering it acted as a spark to a match box that was already laced in gasoline.

@Zeb  
wow. that’s pretty crazy but awesome I’d say

@Feydrid Kearn  
As a quick note: I find it very interesting how many people are pointing to that image as the reason for downvotes being removed. When in the staff discussions on that subject it never even came up.

@Reb4Ham  
I use Discord, this site’s linking system stinks… Thank you for linking for me, though.
 
Nice profile, it took me a minute to realize it was moving. XD

@Feydrid Kearn  
That’s the wrong way to link images. Just write >>1472360

@Pagan  
No, really, seeing your reaction to that actually made me feel worse the more I reread it. I can’t apologize enough. It wasn’t a very funny jest anyway, and it was uncalled for.
 
Don’t comment while angry at something that isn’t who you are talking to. I ignored that, and I’m deeply sorry for it.

@Feydrid Kearn  
It’s fine your friend apologized for you earlier and I accept this one as well, no hard feelings.