The real solution to the current problems is to have accountability.

I can just imagine the fun that would ensue if you, xorl, got the list of all downvotes against you. Based on your previous calm demeanor:

Why did my thank you post get a -1 reputation???

I am outraged by their behavior and demand to know who voted -- on my thank you.

I'm sure making the list of all downvotes public would be a huge improvement.</sarcasm>

So (again) are you volunteering to be first? Should we make public the complete list of all of your downvotes? If you have such outrage at downvotes that are "obviously" inappropriate, then surely you've only ever downvoted responsibly and no person will be the slightest upset at your judicious and enlightened use of downvotes only on nodes that are most deserving of this treatment. All of the receipients will surely thank you for helping them to see their egregious errors.

That way if you want to know why someone downvoted you, you can ask them.

So, if I tell you who downvoted your thank-you note so long ago, your "outraged" response will simply be to politely ask them why they downvoted your node because you want to learn from the situation?

Your response to a single downvote makes you the poster child for why downvotes are not public information. If there are even a few people with your (previous?) attitude, then the resulting mayhem would be impressive.

Accountability to prevent the limited controversial use of downvotes is a nice idea. But I fear it is a hopelessly idealistic, tunnel-vision idea. The gain due to accountability would be tiny compared to the strife. Less focus on the voting practice of others seems a wiser path than more focus on the voting practices of others, especially since your proposal would mostly lead to people focusing on the votes cast by others against them.