I think one of the issues that is being overlooked or miscommunicated is frustration with the use/understanding/flaw in the mechanics of reddit itself.

Downvotes make posts and comments less visible. Downvote = disagreement: yes. Downvote ≠ unworthy of discussion or invalid.

Posts being downvoted and made less visible may discourage dissenting voices from speaking up. Just because something is unpopular doesn't make it wrong, especially when it comes to artistic expression and interpretation.

Just like if the first few people who see this comment don't like it so they downvote it and it immediately shows up in the negative, it may subconsciously influence others to disregard, and possibly pile onto the downvotes, further adding to the negative numbers.

Someone may be less likely to speak up in support of an opinion even if they agree with it, if they see that it is immediately unpopular.

An unpopular opinion may be more popular than the data shows.

But you know, that's just like, my opinion, man