Not all who disagree give DRs. There are plenty of "drive-by" DRers who agree or disagree with opinions and do so. And, there are certain categories in which they congregate the most: Religion, Politics, LGBT probably the three biggest. There's NO WAY to tell who DRed a question or answer unless they TELL you they did, and even then, I wouldn't be surprised if some people who disagree simply usurp a DR as their own for some reason. DRs don't count against your level points. They DO count against your +% for questions and answers, though. And, yes. I DO believe they disrupt "meaningful discourse", though many who have been here for a while totally ignore any ratings by turning them off. Welcome to AB. See my answers to the following questions for help with the site: As a newbie (and for others who have recently joined) what can we expect from Answerbag. You know, the good and the bad? Help me to get familiar with it. - http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/7114192 How do you use this answerbag site? - http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/6051152 , and from Jodie and others: http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/305855 Where can I find how to use AB? - http://www.answerbag.com/a_view/8200669

Fact from fiction, truth from diction. I call them "questabuffoons", they only want to peach to the chior and not have objective opinions. I always give people every opportunity to make their argument. I even offer more insight by way of comments. Unless they come off as total dousebags I never DR anyone straight away, I five them all the rope they need to either hang themselves or make a rope bridge. Sad, but that is how it is here sometimes.

You'll get used to it. It's just a fact of life here on AB.

yep.. it irritates me!

ya, i agree w/ you i haven't given any one an negative yet, but some people have misunderstood what i was trying to say and gave me a negative(once).