It's been interesting to follow all the 'flagging' drama, fights, retribution... I guess it is just human nature to want to punish those who have differing views, etc.
I have witnessed huge growth in the 'bot community' and agree it is probably for the reasons you state.
Now there's even @bid.bot among others that will let anyone annonymously flag (downvote), If anyone wishes to downvote they should at least back up the choice with full visibility and accountablity. Annonymous downvotes are absolutely wrong.
As for Steem Inc supporting downvoting on a massive scale by deleagating to downvoters is also completely wrong, Steemit will disappear within a year if it continues this way. There are other Blockchain 'social media that pay projects' that may in fact be better.