It looks as if the purpose of the useful if slightly irritating negative rep mark has slidden off into nonexistence.
Many people on the downs do misuse negative repping, because they use it in a way not intended. I believe that repping is based not on content of message (though I do add if they have a good thought or new ideas) it is about how the message is written, how it put together. Spelling can be excused. Silliness tolerated. But overall there are not many truly bad writers on the Downs, so neg repping doesn't happen except by those who don't know how to use it.
I may be all wrong there but if I am right, you won't neg rep this post for content.
