It happens enough that not only are current users intimidated, but keeps users away from the platform because of this feature. I've used many other blockchain platforms and because of Hive's reputation they'll never sign up. More people know about Hive than is thought and they'll never come, because unequally weighted downvotes are equated with censorship.
Rationalize all you want, it's how it's viewed and that's what matters. The masses aren't going to blog, so if you want them to come, standards must be lowered and whales must settle for smaller votes as 'crap' content earns and those users build stake.
It's that or stagnation and the proof is that Hive's userbase is now smaller than ever...
You might want to read the thread under @trustparadox's reply to acidyo.
I did