Monetizing downvotes is a stroke of inspired genius on Elon's part. To target the most unhappy, permanently-online conflict addicts, and turn them into whales. Twitter has always been an addictive Skinner box for many people; now that addiction can be converted into money pretty directly.

I predict this will become the new norm for social media. Before this, monetization attempts focused on positive endorsements: "promote" a post, "sponsor" a submission, super-upvote with "Reddit Gold". Positive, like the advertising industry they imitated. But these were rooted in outdated ideas of what social media is or how it works. Misery is the most powerful force. If you're a FAANG, you have to monetize on the negative engagement to profit on a grand scale.

edit: If it wasn't clear in my tone, I don't approve of this antisocial trend at all. But I do think it's profitable and I do think it will therefore continue, in this direction.