These events were fundamental to the formation of my understand of DV's as both censorship and taxation

Ok this statement here is helping me connect a lot of dots when we are talking. Like we have really good talks but when we talk about downvotes it just feels really dark compared to our other conversations.

Whether we are agree on the taxation description is mostly semantics. Like I don't believe it is taxation but I believe it removes rewards people were hoping to get. Downvotes do reduce reach so in that context it is a form of censorship.

I am more interested in finding pragmatic solutions for the problems you noticed downvotes have as opposed to debating if it is taxation or not.

Also, you are not alone in your disdain for downvotes. I don't like them. I kind of wish they didn't exist so people could find something else to talk about 😅