I can only paraphrase PG because I don't want to spend any time digging for the actual comment, but he's basically said: People can use downvotes however they

I can only paraphrase PG because I don't want to spend any time digging for the actual comment, but he's basically said: People can use downvotes however they want. There is no guideline to communicate. I can personally see the pros and cons of this stance. The cons are pretty obvious, but the big pro is that there shouldn't be discussions like you and I are having now.