@dalehileman,
Most threads get cut way down after a while, at least relative to the number of actual posters over time. The down thumbings many people are unhappy with are those that are used for posts, not whole threads - down thumbing for disagreement being taken as obnoxious and that people should reply by discussing it, or skipping it. This isn't everybody by any means, as many are fine about down thumbs.
Many don't use thumbs at all.