Dear @joshman

Interesting read. However I disagree with some parts.

To encourage behavior I upvote, to discourage it, I downvote.

Downvoting only in theory are discouraging any kind of behaviour. Downvoted users most of the time do not even know why there were dovnvoted.

It's a bit like saying that we should promote behaviours by punishing people, instead of educating them and building awareness.

How to achieve that without explaining to user what he did wrong and giving him chance to learn (before being punished) - this method will never work. I've personally seen several accounts downvoted badly without word of explanation and without warning. That isn't right.

Instead of educating users (especially new ones) those with large stakes very often just downvote them for unknown crimes. More often than not forcing people to quit Steemit (amount of users giving up because of feeling targeted is growing every day).

People tell me, don't downvote that guy, he's an A, or don't upvote that gal, she's a B. Screw that, everyone gets held to the same standard.

Ok, so perhaps you can tell me what is "the same standard"? Perhaps all those people are right and you're wrong? Maybe you're not following standards? Why would you assume that what you do and how you think should be considered a norm? I would honestly like to understand.

Don't let them fool you, this whole 'downvotes are violence' narrative is complete bullshit.

Again, fully disagree with you. Steemit asset = users.

And downvotes that are discouraging users (especially new ones) to continue using Steemit are only bringing damage. Instead of bringing value.

Unfortunatelly it seem that many people on Steemit (especially large stakeholders like yourself) do not see users as an asset. Instead they value STEEM token more and this is an asset for them.

Yours, Piotr