When reviewing an answer, why vote thumbs down?

Take a simple question. What is your favorite color? (note this question is a violation, but for illustrative purposes here). If you answer pink and someone answers blue, instead of other people answering blue or pink, they just TU/TD the answers. If they don't like your pink and are neutral on blue, they may TD you and do nothing for the other answer. It is nothing personal, it is just away of agreeing or not.

However, thumbs down can be gotten for many reasons, only one of which is the correct usage. Some of the ways:

1. the answer is incorrect or you disagree with an opinion (the only real reasons)

2. you sound over 18 (believe it or not)

3. you support the rules on YA

4. you understand the rules of YA

5. you take the site seriously

6. you answered the question (some answerers will TD all other answers)

7. it was fun (random playing)

8. you are in the military, a policeman, or some authority figure

9. etc -

very few TDs are legit so don't sweat it unless you get one say on a science or math question, then review your answer for a mistake

Using the thumbs as an indicator does not work. People would simply 'troll thumbs down' even more than they do now. Voting for yourself is allowed - staff HOPES you do it with only one account, and only if yours is truly the Best Answer. But since ALL people that answered that question have the same opportunity to vote for their own answer, it is a balanced, equal system. So it is fair. Finally, any suggestions you want to make for changes or improvements to the site - should be posted on the Suggestion Board on the ABOUT tab above, as that is where staff will look for them.

I think it is for when you feel the answer does not fit the question. Or maybe you think they are totally off base. This does happen, did you ever read all the answers, some are wild and some just silly. Everyone is able to vote how they feel, I do not always agree on how people vote, but voting is the way to go.

I believe that thumbs down should include an explanation.

As you have pointed out there are assorted reasons for thumbing something down and it would be nice to know just why people dissent with an answer. Is the answer wrong? Do they just happen to disagree? We will never know.

well, when i put thumbs down, they must've given a mean answer.

or they didnt actually answer the question, they just gave a random answer to get the points

but yeah, i dnt c a point either...

rofls

idunno...

does anything happen when we get a thumbs down? o.O

oops, got off topic...>.<

I do it if the answer is not correct.

Sometimes I disagree with an opinion. Then a thumbs-down is an expression of my opinion

I usually give thumbs down when the person is completely wrong, or if the person is being rude or snotty in their answer.

i vote thumbs down on answers that are inappropriate and offensive

I only give thumbs down to spammers and to people who post to eat meat in the vegan questions b/c they're just being ignorant.

edit: also thumbs down for people who answer a question idk just to get their points up. so lame!

ha ha I guess I offended a lot of meat heads.

usually when the answer is not thought out or they havent read the full question and its obviously.