It's funny I haven't really seen it that way yet, so thanks for bringing this up in that way specifically. I mean, I totally understand what effect up- and downvoting has on the reward pool, but I haven't spent thoughts on thinking how that's actually a very natural thing. It's also funny that while up- and downvotes are generally symmetrical in their effect, but not in how you can issue them, e.g. as some frontends don't allow this at all.

On YouTube or Reddit it's totally normal to downvote stuff you don't like, just because you don't like. On Steem, downvoting will get you in a position of fear of retaliation. I think I've never flagged anything myself, possibly because I didn't want to "disturb the silence". I thought that if I just don't vote at all, that's enough (not that my votes would have a huge impact, but anyway).

Thanks again for bringing this up, it changed my view on flagging!

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