Circle jerk because of dissenting opinions, regardless of their objective legitimacy, getting downvoted to oblivion
Wurstkiste
A relevant and good comment, even and especially if it opposes the opinion of the majority. Giving downvotes to signal disagreement, when posts are sorted by karma and very low karma posts are even hidden, leads to circle jerking and immediately kills every healthy debate and controversy in the bud. If I have a dissenting opinion, I want to argue, not be muzzled.
Yeah, but without the karma system these memes would never have existed. That's not to say the karma system is good. Quite the opposite actually.
Boost for Lemmy?
Problem with a karma system, especially as it is handled over on Reddit, is that it will stifle dissent and promote circle jerking. You can vote controversial opinions out of sight even if they are totally valid but simply run contrary to popular opinions. If Lemmy got a karma system, it would have to work differently and allow for a healthy discourse.
If only there was a way to distinguish between the artist and the art... but since both are always the same, it will for all times be impossible to enjoy the art of an artist that committed some assholery.
Wait till people figure out what DaVinci, Rembrandt, Mozart, Picasso did and say when they were still alive, young, inexperienced and horny. Yes! Horny! Despite their talent they were ordinary people, young men with dicks! We're going to have to empty the whole effing Louvre after finding out.