Why can’t the downvote feature just be invisible?

It’s used to curate our feeds, right? So why should anyone other than the downvoter have to see it? What’s the point in making users feel like their content isn’t welcome?

*Edit*
Thank you everyone who commented to help me understand this situation! Unfortunately I’ve always been a little naive in the way I try to see the best in people. I do that to a fault and gave the admins the benefit of the doubt. So I was stumped when I saw this built in tool we could see specifically made to put people down. The excuse they gave was curating our feed, but that didn’t add up. If that was truly the point, then we wouldn't need to see it. You all helped point out that seeing it makes it an advertisement and tempts people to buy VIP so they can see who specifically downvoted. In other words, this harmful feature to the SW community that promotes, drama, trolling, and makes people feel bad is done purely for the sake of them profiting off your pain. It makes sense when you view it like this. Sad to see my reason for leaving was and still is justified.

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

Punches · 46-50, F

Am I the only one who doesn't give a heaving dump about the DV button?

People block each other left and right but no one seems to care about that.

Reject · 31-35, M

@Punches Blocking is simply needed for a lot of people. Downvoting however isn’t necessary for anyone.

Punches · 46-50, F

@Reject How old are we though?
Getting upset over the downvote is kind of the same as when little kids get insulted when someone sticks out their tongue at them.

Reject · 31-35, M

@Punches I don’t think most people care that much about it honestly. That’s not what I’m asking about. The question is why have it visible to begin with?

Punches · 46-50, F

@Reject Okay so to answer that -

I have not not even seen many DV posts lately, I believe one has to be VIP to see who DV them or to even see it at all. I am not VIP.

It is also possible that people have backed off using it since it is no longer anonymous to everyone but the person who DV'ed and the VIPs.

Just slightly educated guesses on my part but there it is.

Reject · 31-35, M

@Punches I’m not a VIP and I still see them, not often, but I do. I can’t see who specifically downvoted and I guess that’s a VIP feature. So yes, that could contribute to why people do it less, but all of that being said, it doesn’t answer exactly why they choose to make this visible at all. If they did what you’re saying, and made it a VIP exclusive, then at least we could say money was their reason.