I can’t say I never downvote anyone but I get into these comment chains from time to time where really no matter what I post whoever I’m talking to downvotes every response but I generally shy away from downvoting even things I dislike. I don’t want to fall into an echo chamber where all I see are only the things I agree with.
Yeah the political aspect of Lemmy is quite ubiquitous and specific. I’m neither left or right in that I would prefer a science based political system that optimizes HDI, GDPPP, and environmental impact. Any dissent or questioning either way is typically met with downvotes in the respective areas where people have a political leaning right or left.