I think #4 would be counterproductive. Downmods are harmless, and serve as a relief valve of sorts. Flames are anything but harmless. When you raise the barr

I think #4 would be counterproductive. Downmods are harmless, and serve as a relief valve of sorts. Flames are anything but harmless. When you raise the barrier to downmodding, you make the flaming alternative more attractive. In the same spirit: right now, no down-arrow is available for replies to your own posts. I think a better alternative would be to make the down-arrow available but have it only influence comment score and not karma.