SBD is "money" and "liquid" on its current form.  You can use it to Buy or Sell or convert into STEEM. The way I understand it, when someone who has a huge share of STEEM, some refer to them as WHALES, gets involved in your posts, whether upvote or downvote, their involvement is highly significant.  The more "shares" you have, the more powerful your "voting" power is, as in a corporation.

The 3 downvotes must have been dished out by Whales or other lesser gods, nevertheless gods. So the lesson is, never anger the gods LOL!

On a serious note, if posters follow the rules and regulations of steemit, they won't have to worry about their reputation being damaged.  That's why it pays to really know first the culture of a community before marching in with your own ideals and goals and dreams.

In Thailand, a woman who walks with wet hair in the morning going for work or someplace else is considered a taboo.  And if you didn't know that, you will find yourself the subject of gossip and contempt.