If I was interested in manipulating upvotes, it would much more easy for me to create sock puppets or have volunteers/virtual assistants create sock puppets than have people take their time to introduce themselves and engage with Less Wrong.
"That's not how I would do it" generally is not the best way to respond to something you take as an accusation. Especially when you include a novel element in your protest, namely, the "have volunteers/virtual assistances create sock puppets" piece.
Firstly, because you don't want to share those kinds of ideas. Secondly, because you've added details to a story you're trying to repudiate, making it seem more likely.
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.
Notes for future OT posters:
1. Please add the 'open_thread' tag.
2. Check if there is an active Open Thread before posting a new one. (Immediately before; refresh the list-of-threads page before posting.)
3. Open Threads should be posted in Discussion, and not Main.
4. Open Threads should start on Monday, and end on Sunday.