Posting similar comment as below as it applies here as well.
Under any system that allows a hive mind to decide on the content, certain ideas will always proliferate across it, even under a pure "Like System"
E.G:
Like system
A = +1000
A = +600
A = +500
A = +200
B = +10
No reason that the "Boston Bombing" threads wouldn't had the same result under a pure like system.
In fact having such a system, allows for abuse of the system, where a vocal minority can manipulate the content to push their agenda. Take /r/SRS (non-redditors this is a sub-reddit that targets comments and posts that goes against their opinions and downvotes them). Applying the same concept but with "like" you could easily push your ideologies to the top.
The way the admins are handling it is by far the best approach. They are moderating the effect of the downvotes by the frequency of downvotes by the user. That way people who do abuse it, and downvote any opinions that they disagree with, won't make much effect.
There is nothing inherently wrong with an upvote/downvote system. Its always going to come down to the community.
Posting similar comment as below as it applies here as well.
Under any system that allows a hive mind to decide on the content, certain ideas will always proliferate across it, even under a pure "Like System"
E.G:
Like system
A = +1000
A = +600
A = +500
A = +200
B = +10
No reason that the "Boston Bombing" threads wouldn't had the same result under a pure like system.
In fact having such a system, allows for abuse of the system, where a vocal minority can manipulate the content to push their agenda. Take /r/SRS (non-redditors this is a sub-reddit that targets comments and posts that goes against their opinions and downvotes them). Applying the same concept but with "like" you could easily push your ideologies to the top.
The way the admins are handling it is by far the best approach. They are moderating the effect of the downvotes by the frequency of downvotes by the user. That way people who do abuse it, and downvote any opinions that they disagree with, won't make much effect.
There is nothing inherently wrong with an upvote/downvote system. Its always going to come down to the community.