“downvotes mean that you, personally, are not “–(whatever)– enough,” ... they are in fact an expression of opinion about a particular person

If downvotes are merely "an expression of opinion about a particular person" how come your best node has a reputation of +105 while your worst has a reputation of -40?

Your best is reported as having "no significant downvotes" while your worst has +18 upvotes and -58 downvotes.