<p>Currently, and do correct me if I am wrong, it costs (-1) to downvote, and the downvote creates a (-2) reputation for the recipient. One alternative is increasing the penalty to the downvoter to at least (-2) to make it more altruistic. Right now, the small penalty encourages trolling (It hurts my target more than me; HaHaHa!), ganging up in a bloodfest as in monkey see monkey do, grudge holding, and other very discouraging behaviors that negatively impact people who are are honestly attemptng to help others. Another alternative for better altruism would be to make it (-1) for the recipient and (-2) for the downvoter.</p>
