This place seems dead. I was skimming some stuff to make a few posts, after posting a basic casual conversation, the negativity shut me down like usual. I am sitting here with 5 tabs and some interesting stuff, but I’m totally disinterested in trying or even spending any more time here this evening. What value does that add for anyone when this place is dying a slow death of disinterest and low engagement? I never add negativity. I only ignore and block. I never discourage because I know I would be shooting myself in the foot. Why is this not fundamentally standard logic for everyone. If you disagree about opinions, appreciate diversity and ignore or better yet discuss. Anonymous negativity to strangers is psychotic behavior that should never have existed in the first place. It is not normal. It is no different that walking up to a stranger in a supermarket and yelling at them for what they wear or how they talk. That is crazy stupid.
Why do you worry about downvoting? Most people are utter idiots and the most reasonable opinions get downvoted. The bigger issue starts when moderators start removing comments they personally dislike and this seems to be more of an issue here.
I’m physically disabled and nearly a total shut in. This is my only real outside human contact. It is not really healthy largely because of this psychotic negativity. There are many aspects of Maslow’s hierarchy that are beyond my control to remedy and solve. This place could help with some of that. When it fails for fundamentally unnecessary reasons of amplifying a tiny minority, I try to call attention to it. Some instance admins have already mentioned it is due to a half dozen people. I’m actively trying to show that those half dozen people are having a negative impact on more than just comments in a tangible way that promotes their removal.