[tkrussell]

Every so often I notice that someone will comment with a "Balancer" comment by using the Approve choice when rating an answer.

Seems to be an effort to counter against a Disapprove rating that was given to a particular answer.

Why?

What purpose does this serve?

Does this practice offer any relief or remedy to the comment that disapproved the answer?

Should one feel better about their answer by receiving a balancer comment?

Or should one feel grateful?

It appears to not have any effect on one's approval rating. Or does it?

The Approve and Disapprove rating is in response to if the answer given is accurate. We all know that often this system is not used properly, esp by noob's. Who really cares anyway?

I don't see that adding "Balancer" to be any better, or useful, for any purpose.

Am I wrong? Or naïve? Or nitpicking?

[excon]

Should one feel better about their answer by receiving a balancer comment? Am I wrong? Or naive? Or nitpicking?

Hello tk:

Yes, they should. I do.

After you've had an argument with somebody, don't you feel better when one of your friends tells you that you were right?? That's all a balancer is. It doesn't mean world peace, but I like it when my friends support me.

Are you a nitpicker?? I think you are. Or, maybe you're just bored.

excon

[NeedKarma]

I don't see that adding "Balancer" to be any better, or useful, for any purpose.

I do it. My thinking is that I don't want the receiver's reputation ruined by giving of a reddie that was gainst the rules of the commenting system.

[ScottGem]

I have given balancers when the comments feature was grossly misused by the rater. I do it more to show the asker that the answer given was good and should be listened to instead of ignored.