I think part of the problem is that some users feel he is being rewarded too much, and one of the reasons for flagging is disagreement of rewards. SO taking your logic I'd argue that user C&D have just as much of a right to downvote or flag content as whaleB has to upvote. It's their vote and they can use it however they want. I don't really know if anyone is in the wrong here, if a whale who probably invested a ton of money wants to vote up one person, thats his prerogative . I don't think the poster should be taking the heat here, I also don't think he shouldve retaliated in the way he did. And I agree, downvotes rarely help matters, they could have reallocated those votes to some of us lowly minnows to make a positive impact.
I think the real problem is when people assume foul play by one individual with no direct proof, and then once someone shows any aggression the other party feels like they need to retaliate.
Thank you for sharing your views. Hypothetical question for you: If I give a friend $100 and you feel it is too much, do you have a moral or ethical right to intervene and take some of it away from my friend so that my gift is more in line with your sensibilities? What gives you the right to dictate what is reasonable or not for me or my friend?
While I recognize that the capacity to flag is there, what I am questioning is the moral and ethics behind using it the way anybody involved in this situation is using them. After all, a tool is just a tool. How we use that tool reflects the morality and ethics of the individual using the tool. Much like a hammer, they can be used to build houses, but also used to tear them down and kill people. It is not the hammer that is the issue, but rather how we use it!
I agree with you though; there is no proof of greed or the pool being drained causing harm to the community as a whole. I've only witnessed allegations and that is not proof.
I see what your saying, my response above on @taskmasters comment is kind of inline with this hypothetical. Really, why should we be able to decide how people vote. Whales get their say too, just because we disagree doesn't mean we are right when we do. Nice article good sir