Edit: After the comment conversation, I've removed my slightly
irrelevant/rambling backstory, and refactored question.  It
seems there's some difference of opinion on what
giving/recieving them actually means to different people and
therefore how they are used, but I don't want to rerun that
conversation again.  Instead I'm interested in seeing if there's
any evidence available on exactly what results downvoting
produces, if the lead to improving the quality of posts, and at
what sort of frequency?  For example:    • How frequently does
downvoting lead to a self-close of a post, or a self-edit?   •
After a downvote inspired self-edit, how often does that then
lead to upvoting/removal of downvotes?  As an aside, I also
wonder if there's evidence for how often people post a comment
to follow up a downvote? (or an upvote, even?)  Further aside:
Maybe there's an accidental badge idea in here as well - the
'bothering to comment after downvoting, x times' bagde?
"Constructive Criticism" maybe? However, I'd be surpr