I think it has something to do with everything trying to get your attention, and waste your time for metrics.

We ignore signs because we don’t want to read another popup.

We skim text because we don’t want to know about your life story, just the chili recipe, thanks.

We skip or misread instructions because we’ve been doing the job for years, and we’re halfway on autopilot.

We can’t find a restaurant or shop right in front of us because we’re starting to learn to ignore bright colors and flashing lights.

We browse the internet while watching a movie because we’ve seen the same cliche Marvel movie before.

The problem is that sometimes we get so used to these things that we also do it when we shouldn’t be.

Maybe it’s on a different account but at least on this account I don’t see any posts on your profile that are in the negative.

I find it interesting how posts like these only pop up asking about downvotes, never upvotes. Does this “hivemind” only do things you don’t like? Is it in the room with us right now?

People have no obligation to interact with anything in any way. There are people who downvote just to make the post go away in some apps. Stop worrying yourself with what gets points. If it’s that big of an issue, sign up with beehaw, afaik they don’t do downvotes at all.