Well said, @steevc. It is a wild west. I have to say I've grown to understand and appreciate steemcleaners more through this experience.

@guiltyparties, who is the main one I've seen running steemcleaners, took the time to point out, among many other valuable things he has added here in this discussion, that there should be a clear distinction between the downvote effect on the revenue share of the limited "rewards pool" and on "reputation". So in my view the suggestion to limit the effects of a downvote should be directed mainly to the "reputation" aspect, which for me was so demoralizing. If it had only effected the revenues on the specific comment, I believe the message would still have been received loud and clear, but the damage would have been far more bearable.