It's exactly what it does. It's surpresas a voice simply because they are saying something you don't want them to say.
Does it stop someone from expressing themselves? Does it prevent others from reading the post? I don't see that happening. Didn't happen at Voat. A downvote doesn't delete a post or ban a user.
Even on voat it frequently collapsed comments; depending on access method. It also negatively shapes perception of future readers. In fact, frequently a -1 resulted in blind down votes by others. A common side effect of numbered, vote based systems. It also provides an excuse to prevent discussion ("not worth my time"). All of which are inversely related to the purpose and benefits of free speech.
I don't agree with using dv's for things you simply disagree with. That's not what it's for.
When saw collapsed comments due to downvotes, I was drawn to them. I had to read what was kept from me. You know what? 99% of the time it was an actual known retard actively subverting and shitting up the place.
Tallest_skil was one of the most hated and downvoated people over there. People chased him around and brigaded him. I'd never seen anything like it over such a long period. He was fine and still wasn't in the negatives on points, because he had thick skin and he was correct.
That's just not true. Deplorablepoetry had negative ccp, his posting rate was then automatically throttled and limited. To me THAT is limiting free speech. Silencing those you disagree with.
How each individual uses the downvote is up to the individual.
Some use it to voice disapproval.
Here it is policed.
NOT FREE SPEECH.
Does limiting down votes prevent you from discussing and engaging with the people with whom you disagree?
If the answer is yes, please explain.
If the answer is no, then you are wrong and it is not effecting free speech.
Pretty reasonably it seems to force discussion and exchange of perceptions and ideas rather than squelch, limit, or hinder free speach? How is forcing you to participate in discussion, destroying or injuring your free speech?
Any POLICY, BY DEFINITION, polices speech.
POLICED speech is NOT FREE.
POAL claims it is free speech.
It is not.
Change the policy or change the statement.
Nothing about right to free speech guarantees the right to be listened to
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