I doubt the number matters so much that it is negative. If you put in a few minutes to write a reasoned, thoughtful and informative reply and the groupmind instantly -50's it for no discernible reason, that's a really good signal that investing time in that community is a poor decision.
Reddit used to have informal rules against downvoting those you disagree with because it lowers the caliber of participants on their forum. I guess they don't enforce it any more.
Reddit used to have informal rules against downvoting those you disagree with because it lowers the caliber of participants on their forum. I guess they don't enforce it any more.