Seems pretty clear what they meant. Of all the absurd, pedantic nonsense in this thread, I chose to downvote yours. Purely out of spite, and for giving me the bitter realization that I've wasted too much time on HN today.
well that just made my day. best downvote ever. for two reasons, one is the explanation itself, the other the fact that you explained it. downvotes are frustrating when you have to guess why. here, have an upvote. (if that upvote made you feel guilty for downvoting me, then that's an unfortunate side effect, not intentional ;-)
I don't think that downvotes should be used to voice disagreement with a poster's substantive point. The down arrow is too cheap a shot. I'd never have allowed that on my board (when I was a teenage sysop, I mean). Disagreement should be verbalized and put into open conversation. Hell, I wouldn't be opposed to people being required to voice a reason for their downvotes around here, and letting those reasons be analyzed. It would make everyone feel better. "Pure spite" being only a funny reason in the ludicrous circle of Joseph Heller debate we find ourselves in, in this particular thread. I'm glad you saw the humor, and that's what makes us human ;)
And no, I don't feel bad at all for taking the upvote! Next time I toss out a flaming dumpster of semantic quibbling, which I'm guilty of at least once a week, I hope someone takes an extra minute to explain their downvote to me, too.
I'm just bein a pain in the ass anyway. Hope you know that. It was a barstool comment. This is why it's better to sit at a bar and joke around. Everyone gets offended in equal measure, but you know you all love each other anyway.
