ChristianKI, “Opportunity cost is a key concept in applied rationality”. Agreed, why pay the time cost on posts rated on popularity on a site dedicated to rationality. They can only reinforce an established point of view.
“Set up an environment in a way that increases the average quality of the posts”. If the quality that is assessed is popularity then the lonely dissenter remains unheard.
“Lesswrong is a place where well argued dissent is valued and often upvoted”. If the dissenters voice is muted because their position is unpopular, which is the meaning of dissent, then your argument does not stand.
I like lesswrong and have no problem with upticks, downticks, good karma, bad karma. If the site removed the punishment for dissent, protagonists would be more likely to challenge established majority views. How could that be a bad thing on a site dedicated to rational discussion? Mods can still control the abusive.
ChristianKI, I apologize for disturbing the peace of your mind.