<h1>Downvote</h1>

<p>Here is the mouseover text on the downvote button:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The question does not show any research effort; it is unclear or not useful</p>
</blockquote>

<p>I'd recommend we be more liberal with actually clicking on that button. If a question is "not useful", downvote it! If someone else finds it "useful", they can always upvote it.</p>

<p>Why? <a href="https://meta.stackexchange.com/a/5222/256777">This is why:</a></p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The system will automatically delete unlocked, unanswered questions that have negative score that are at least 30 days old.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Vegetation needs to be pruned so healthy growth can resume.</p>

<p>If you are concerned about the reputation loss from downvoting, remember that you get your rep back when the question is deleted.</p>

<p>Related from the same thread:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>The system will automatically delete unlocked, unanswered questions on main (non-meta) sites with score of zero (or one, if the owner is deleted), fewer than 1.5 views per day on average, and fewer than two comments that are at least 365 days old.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>(So: if you find an unclear and un-upvoted question that already has one comment, e.g., <a href="https://stats.meta.stackexchange.com/q/5314/1352">a request for clarification</a>, <em>think twice before adding another comment</em>. (Or: just downvote per above.))</p>
