I would have to ask you to define what you mean with “attack”. As for any verbal dispute, both parties is fully free to utter their opinions regardless of whomever will dislike it. I am fully for free speech, I don’t see what point you are trying to make here.

I’m not complaining over flags as a reaction to something someone did not like. Neither have I said all functions going further than a mere comment must go. I would kindly ask you to not add motive to my statements, and attack that instead of addressing what I actually say. So, to be clear; downvoting is currently a tool with the functions is has - fine. If someone wish to downvote a post based on it’s content - also, fine. It is made available by the creators, and I accept it as the current situation. Now, Steem is somewhat unique that its rules can be changed along the road. I’m simply raising the question is the current system the best, or can it be made better?

Regarding my bot friend, sure, I can tell you why. Some months back I upvoted a friend of mines comments to give him a boost. Whether this is an ok or not is an individual decision in my opinion. On one side STEEM is getting a boost in value from investors coming for the simple reason of ROI. So, If someone invest in steem to even just to upvote themselves (talking generally now), then it’s a huge boost for the community short term (higher price, and draws attention). On the opposite side, if everyone came for that reason, it would not be a good strategy long term for content, at all. I see both arguments, emotionally I lean towards the last one. And I have no problem with the ones that decided to downvote those comments. Fee speech have spoken. My problem is when this turns into an all-out flat “ban”/flagging of everything coming from that account, as an unmonitored lifetime sentence. If I would choose not to listen to the response, I would simply jump to another account and continued doing whatever I felt like until someone else’s toes were step on. That’s not what I want or do, so, I stayed and listen to the complains (flags).

Now for the bot, as you can see it is downvoting all my posts. Yes, I have made two attempts on contacting the owner without any form for response. Also, these blacklists are copied, and also widely used by 3rd parties that at that point have no idea on why the names are on the list. This is what I would refer to as “misuse”, or perhaps better phrased as unfortunate downside of the current situation.

The effect on me, was that I let myself be silenced. I stopped making posts and commenting reduced to a minimum. As I put a lot of work and research into my posts, and I was writing for others, not my personal diary, it seemed pointless. My motivation for contributing was and is low, as you can see every engagement I do is automatically downvoted and hidden.

I’m looking for solutions, and constructive exchange of ideas. I also understand that you are well set in your opinion on the current situation being perfect. So far, your arguments have not settled my, but I’m more than open to change if have an convincing reasoning.

I’m glad to hear you don’t think I would “come after you”. Hey, first thing I did was to upvote you, even though I disagree with your general conclusion. That’s more than you did for me =P. Truly, I’m not asking for your upvote. Also, don’t, it would only fall into the hole of my bot friend.

Thank you for a lengthy exchange, I appreciate the engagement and I hope I haven’t been too sharp in some of my phrasing. It’s been a lot of typing, more than I’ve been used to lately.