Previously, they see, say, +18 -20 and think - there is something that 17 people support, so they stop a little and ponder what that might be. Now it's -2 , less thinking happening.

It's even worse with positively voted posts, though. Say, there's a wrong explanation of something, which is utterly commonplace. Currently, it can be +50 -20 , which alerts people to significant disagreement and makes them ponder correctness of what was posted. It'll be +30 now. Again, less thinking happening, pure circlejerk.

I'm pretty sure the increase in the level of circlejerk is why that change was implemented in the first place. Single number creates perception of unity, which is good for profits. Positive and negative number makes it clear that there's no unity, no fascio. Two numbers make you think of disagreement.