As we both know, downvotes when used properly are good for the Steem economy as they preclude the efficacy of redirecting inflation to things that are not helpful such as spam, plagiarism, or low effort miners of bid bot votes.

It is important for us to encourage a good worth ethic within the Steem culture and that is where I see downvotes as having a certain utility. There is a bad side when they are not used properly such as in cases of content agnostic revenge flagging.

Here are a few things I believe we should remember to downvote or flag properly:

1. Leave constructive feedback
2. Keep your emotions out of it.
3. Try to view the whole picture of the value the post brings to the network rather than focusing on one thing
4. Don't flag for ideological reasons.

I could expand on all of these but one in particular I would like to speak on is #4. Let's say you disagree about some conspiracy theory but there is an author on Steem producing content supporting that theory.

Let's say they go all out in the presentation. They create images, GIFs, and the language is superb... But ideologically you disagree with the premise.

That's ok. We can agree to disagree but that does not mean we ought to downvote it. Nobody is saying you have to upvote it, either.

Personally, I may give it an upvote just to reward the time and effort even if it is something I do not agree with ideologically.

That bring said.. My upvotes are not to be seen as endorsement neither are my downvotes the opposite. I vote based on perceived value of the content irrespective of the ideas or beliefs they espouse.

Now, it is true I may gravitate towards curating those that represent my worldview but that is my right and everyone else's as well.

Thanks for bringing this topic to the forefront.