Thumbs down - explanation needed?

Question

Sometimes I fail to see the logic behind some sound and well thought out answers being given a thumbs down. Anybody else feel some sort of explanation should be given when awarding a thumbs down? Or should the whole concept of thumbs up or down, be scrapped?

Answer 1

They do it to cause controversy and because they are anonymous behind their PC screens - and because they do not agree with the opinions of others.

My philosophy is - if you don't like the answers - don't ask the questions

Answer 2

Who knows, but most people seem to use the thumbs down when they just disagree with someone or don't like what they say or how they say it.  

Good idea though, I would like to see people write short snippet comments on why they disagree or give a thumbs down.

Answer 3

I think if you give a FAIR and well thought out answer you should be given a thumbs up. but people dont care how good our arguement is... its only if you agree with them.

Answer 4

Yes I totally agree.  Just because someone has a different opinion doesn't mean they deserve a thumbs down.  I think it should be saved for answers which are incorrect so as to assist the person asking the question to know which information may assist them.  Differing opinions are what makes life interesting.  It amazes me how often you see one answer with a thumbs up and every other response has one thumbs down even though some are almost identical with the thumbs up.  Clearly the author has given them self a thumbs up and then just run through and given everyone else a down.  Without varying and large numbers of responses this site would be very boring.

Answer 5

Yes I.ve given thumbs down and would have liked to leave a comment and vice verso

Answer 6

Yeah, I agree somewhat.

I can understand if the question requires an answer based on opinion, but if you've answered a question and you know that your answer is completely correct, it seems illogical why you get a thumbs down sometimes.

My guess is that it's just users who are jealous that you got there before them!

Answer 7

Those thumbs down are probably from other answerers that want to have the best answer, so they give the other answers a thumb down.

Answer 8

I don't think it should be scrapped as people are entitled to there opinions. But I do find it particularly annoying if you have given a well though out or researched answer, then some one gives it a thumbs down. Maybe it would be a good idea to be able to add on why you gave the answer an up or down?

Answer 9

lol I couldn't care less if I get thumbs down coz if that's my opinion then that is it. WHo cares what others think anyway. The person asked for advice, help or info. You gave it to them. That's all that matter to me to be honest. I've helped someone and it means a lot to me. Don't worry about it. Relax, no need to feel upset. Be carefree. That's the way to be to be happy lol haha

Answer 10

It goes back to the Romans. Thumbs down means stabbing your opponent in the Colosseum. Thumbs up let live. That is direction of the sword.

Answer 11

Explanations need not be given for thumbs down: logic does not hold particularly high ground in the minds of yahoo users. Thumbs down have developed into a tool used to show you agree or disagree, not necessarily judge how the answer meets the question or how well thought out it is. Other people just thumb down for no reason at all (maybe they like to see questions vanish or turn into small bars on their command). To lessen this problem, yahoo only allows level 2 users and above to give ratings and these have little or no effect on you or your question. If someone feels an answer is really illogical/unnecessary/rude they tend to report it.

Answer 12

Well you have 2 think, millions of people on this earth, they all arent gonna agree with YOUR logic eh?

Answer 13

i like the idea or having thumbs up and thumbs down because it tells you what other people think of the answer which can be helpful

for example, I've asked a few questions about subjects where being emotionally evolved can change my out look on the answers given by people... having the thumbs up/thumbs down can show you what most people think....

Answer 14

A lot of people just assume some answers are wrong because they conflict with that person's opinion about the subject. Which is not what the thumbs down concept is for, but you'll always get people who do that. I don't think the whole concept should be scrapped because it can be really useful :-)