Online arguments tend to be long, degenerate, and quickly form opposing camps that will war in other threads too. I think that's (informally) very well known. And a down-vote is a potentially significant indicator that an argument is taking place.
But I think the authors are a little naive if they think the site-owners are not aware (and in some cases, counting on) this.
For many sites, it seems to be the arguments and battles that drive activity. As if to the site-owner, a (moderate) ding-dong battle is "increased engagement, even from the people who disliked the content" rather than something they necessarily want to stamp out.
Comments
Online arguments tend to be long, degenerate, and quickly form opposing camps that will war in other threads too. I think that's (informally) very well known. And a down-vote is a potentially significant indicator that an argument is taking place.
But I think the authors are a little naive if they think the site-owners are not aware (and in some cases, counting on) this.
For many sites, it seems to be the arguments and battles that drive activity. As if to the site-owner, a (moderate) ding-dong battle is "increased engagement, even from the people who disliked the content" rather than something they necessarily want to stamp out.