Shadow bans are proof that Hive, while not perfect, is light years better than any other Web 2.0 platform because on Hive everything is transparent.
I personally consider downvotes a very useful element when used to educate. By the way, the downvote clearly shows whether the receiver is really interested in Hive or not.
Over the years I have seen users receive downvotes and change their mistakes because of them and now they are growing on Hive much faster than before but I have also seen users receive downvotes and make dramas even though the downvotes had motivation.
When I happened to interact with those who criticized Hive, I often asked if they knew of a platform that offered more utility than Hive and allowed them to be rewarded more than Hive...I never received an answer and no one ever gave me a viable alternative to Hive.
Hive is not perfect but it is the one Web 3.0 place where I like to spend a good part of my free time