A downvote would have to be defined by actually calling/making it look as a downvote (as they used to do I suppose) and not giving it any specific rules. I call it a flag to differentiate, because of how the platform currently labels it and makes it look.
To summarize: If they call it a flag and give it rules, to me and anyone that's just learning the platform that's a "Steemit flag" no matter what we wish it was.
I hope we get a downvote button (again) soon...
The problem is that "steemit" and "steem" are two different things. Steemit is merely a front end to the steem blockchain. Its notable in that its the first one, and created and run by the same people who created the steem blockchain, but liteally anyone can put a steem clone up. Another front end, called busy, is in the works.
So dwinblood could have a steem front end with no way to downvote at all. I might have one with the down chevron. Someone else might have one thats represented by a dickbutt icon, and makes you chase it around the screen before you can click it. <-- feature request right there....
Yes. =)
In other words, if we want to promote "Steemit" to outsiders, we should abide by the "Steemit" rules. If we break the rules that were set up, then this is gonna make aspects of Steemit look really silly.
Personally, I think "Steemit" currently is the most important frontend site and therefore it's important that it doesn't confuse the outside world as to how "Steem" works. It's also very important that the community here doesn't come off as a bunch of trolls that don't give a crap about the rules, because they "know better".