Yup I think I placed my first downvote back then too, still many turned on ats-david for no reason. I can see the thinking behind not flagging them. Since he did nothing said nothing and is just doing what is trendy: NASCAR.

His other post was interesting to me on the HardFork so I couldn't flag, not that it would have mattered. But I agree completely. There is a Hypocrisy going around. I was replying to bernie at that time, but it was he same day so I went over the trending page and saw 200 votes 5 views, the ats-david payouts, so many inconsistencies. With both of their points. They don't mean to harm you, just put you below the ground with a reverse flag. In a sense that is claiming a portion of YOUR reward pool. So it is actually abuse and should be noted on, I wanted to see this get a resolution but so far it hasn't they just carry on with the fact that "the system is at fault" (mr Bernie) and "I'm helping and doing my job" (mr Smooth) yes it's smooth indeed.

It would always be a problem and will cause a dispute. When two parties disagree and this is a issue of disagreement on payout. I would suggest using the notifications for such times, I was thinking that a newer system should be implemented but using what we have would be easier. Rather than calling in 5 whales to handle the dispute evenly, why not notify the ones who have upvoted that their "investment" won't be receiving returns :)

Still I'm starting to think this discussion is based on a paradigm mentality. You are more for a social outcome, while others value the "market" I'm one to stand on your shore, since having a market run by people always leaves someone with a bad taste in their mouth.

Hopefully a better reward distribution curve will help out.

As it stands I'm not sure who is right and who is wrong. Thanks for taking the time and showing the data. It's a shame it had to come to that with the whales downvotes, I was hoping for a debate of some sorts and a soft landing for both sides. So far it seems we are slit into groups, supporting and throwing arguments around for this and that. It's time the discussion got a real step up and now that there is no reward on this post, there won't be the argument "I flagged for payout. " it would be good if whales doing the policing would stand up and say something, so far they are always trailing off after the flag on to more rewards and posts.

It's a shame neither bernie or smooth have reviewed their practices and how much of a effect it makes to the community. I can't say they are wrong since they have a point in most of the cases. But having no accountability is never the answer. So far their power is behind them and they don't need to spend the time and get into controversial topics. But I would argue it's for their own good to put the community first and their ideas and earning second. At least keep things balanced. Flag for half the price. Leave some space for a consensus. The fact is they really think they can continue doing this as long as they please. And it's not hurting anybody, because it doesn't affect them, bernie doesn't seem to be a believer in the long term of the Steemit, why would he power down, totally disregard everyone speaking to him, or trying to get in touch otherwise.

Smooth does have a sense of care and consideration, but wouldn't cater to other people. I think we need them because they offer their own unique perspective, but they need to work with everybody, it's easy for them since they flag every day and it's up to them to do it. But for somebody that gets flagged once, could be really breaking(why would he work towards a whale status when they are such assholes after all :D, quote unquote.).

Many disagree with you, I think it has to be said, just like you are doing and if it had happened to someone else it would have quickly become disregarded. People were trolling skeptic and matrixdweller for weeks, nobody cared. Can't say they are great or whatever, but still trashing accounts never gives me a hope for a future. If somebody is spamming do you just beat the shit out of them, nice way to teach someone, great job on parenting :D, great job on empathy :).

I will see how things went on your other posts, after all this doesn't seem to be blowing off and a resolution didn't offer itself as I had hoped.