I can’t say I never downvote anyone but I get into these comment chains from time to time where really no matter what I post whoever I’m talking to downvotes every response but I generally shy away from downvoting even things I dislike. I don’t want to fall into an echo chamber where all I see are only the things I agree with.
It depends on how an individual consumes Lemmy. I don’t see votes and my client neither buries nor highlights comments based on votes. I only browse by new or active.
This means that votes have little to no impact to what I consume or interact with.
As I’ve said elsewhere. I don’t care if you downvote, I’ve seen what you upvote.