Hi ph0rque, the theory is that even the most ardent of ad-downvoters would eventually like an ad enough to not down it (or, that they would get bored of compulsive negativity, and start being more selective). That one ad would be an extremely valuable piece of information.
-Luke
There is no useful information gained if people never touch the system. Clearly non-downvoting means something for people who periodically downvote. But the way I plan to use the service is ... not at all.
I see, I miss-read what you wrote. I had thought we were still talking about "ardent down-voters" Yes, in order for them to glean any information from a particular user there will have to be some clicks. And indeed, the most common way that a user uses this system might very well be "not at all".