Absolutely agreed. Downvoting does not add to the discussion, it takes away, and the bar to dead seems ridiculously low.

Instead of a downvote, add more muting functionality, ways to personally shut off speech not welcomed, but not in a way that prevents others from seeing it.

Personally, I believe all opinions should behave the opportunity to be heard, no matter how crazy, and should not be suppressed because a handful of people don’t like it.