Oh, don’t bother! Sometimes it feels like even asking for people to explain their downvotes invites more downvotes for some inexplicable reason.

Without referring to the specific post in question, I have some comments about that.

Different people downvote for all sorts of different reasons. Some downvote if they disagree with a statement, some downvote because they don’t like the way the statement is presented (eg. I often downvote posts with huge embedded memes, even if I like what the meme says); some downvote because they don’t think the context is appropriate (even if they agree with the ideas said, they might be seen as the wrong time / place); some downvote due to a misunderstanding or perhaps an ambiguity in the post. etc. etc. And very often, posts with more than one idea in them are downvoted by people who agree with part of it but disagree with another part (even if the second part is minor and insignificant).

So then, if someone says something like “I’m being downvoted because xyz”, they’ll almost certainly be downvoted by a heap of people who had a different reason in mind. If a person says “show me where I’m wrong”, that apparently ignores the other possible reasons for downvotes - and can sometimes imply arrogance and stubbornness - which of course will invite downvotes. And if someone just asks “why am I being downvoted?” it might be interpreted to mean “I don’t deserve to be downvoted” - which of course will also invite more downvotes.

Who gives a shit? Many people, obviously. And for many different reasons. Here are two simple reasons why I care:

• The CEO stating support for Trump suggests that either their values align with Trump, or that they are bought / corrupted. Either way, I see that as a sign that Proton is likely to make moves that I disagree with. People’s values guide their actions, and this CEO is showing values that I disagree with. So I can no longer trust their actions.
• Even if the Proton products are perfect, if the CEO openly supports Trump then we get a ‘Nazi bar’ type effect. Whenever I share my proton email address with someone, it will signal to them that I frequent the Nazi bar. … I don’t want that association.

Yeah, that’s true. But going on to say ‘therefore support Trump’ is … not good.

I think it’s unwise for Proton to try to support any political party. Agreeing or disagreeing with decisions and policies is fair and good; but to say “this is the party who supports the little guy” is a bullshit and unnecessarily divisive.