Why do perfectly good and polite answers get thumbs down?

There are many "Trolls" out there who "thumbs down" all but their own answer, in the mistaken belief that this might influence the selection of "best answer". It is also a means of moving one's own answer to the top of the list as all other's when the individual views that question are hidden.

There are also those out there who are so convinced of their own knowledge and the belief that everyone else is wrong.

Another reason is there are thousands of PC radicals out there who are convinced that there is only one way of thinking (theirs) that anyone else's opinions are offensive to them.

The reasons are endless and totally pointless.

I will sometimes give an answer a thumbs down if it has crucial information in it that is incorrect, especially something really important (like health-related), no matter how nice they said it. If they're wrong it's not a good answer and that's the only way I can help to indicate that. I hope people would do the same for answers to questions I ask (and of course my answers if they're wrong). Opinions I don't usually thumb-down, unless they're blatantly mean. I think way fewer people would thumbs-down if we could leave comments on other people's answers. That would help a lot. I hope I get thumbs-downed for this. lol

I've come across answers that were informative but did not *answer* the question as asked. If the questions were asked in person and you had the opportunity to ask the person to clarify, it may not be so bad. But since Yahoo Answers has no such option to quickly follow up with an answer and ask for clarifications, I've often "thumbed them down" as you've put it.

Not all downed thumbs should be looked at as being negative but when you notice them, try and honestly answer the question "Does it really have anything to do with the question being asked?"

Because the internet is full of weirdos who feel significant just because they have the power to give a thumb-down to some perfectly fine answer, with which they would never have been able to come up for themselves?

It's happening a lot now ,I gave a simple Answer to a Question and got a Violation. Why

I know - it's infuriating isn't it?

The ones that really get on my nerves are when ladies ask if you like the name they have lined up for their unborn child. They pick a name like "fish-face" or something equally ludicrous and you politely suggest that it might not be entirely the best choice and you get a thumbs down and called a "w@nker" (I jest not).

Truthful answer, people are dicks. Sometimes someone makes a good honest point or percieves a situation in such a way and the suggestion is so taboo it's discredited - also jealousy is a key factor in crap like that. I'm gonna find your answer and give it a thumbs up because this also annoys me.

Good polite answers = thumbs down, bad rude answers = kicked out. You just can't win.

i don't worry about thumbs up or down, each to their own i say.. if it makes them happy to give me a thumbs down, glad i could help, if it makes them happy to give thumbs up,.that makes me happier but it's not the end of the world either way, just keep smiling! :)

Good question. I think sometimes people just click on anything for the sake of it, or as you say because they don't share your opinion.

To restore your faith in human nature, I have clicked the interesting star on your question.