Given your most eloquent, but concise, explanation, you may, indeed be right about my confusion - however, given that confusion is (seemingly) exponentially proportional to age, I claim that [age] as my excuse:-)

I notice that your description of voting (potentially) being a measure of site participation could be misconstrued as incitement to vote (either way) - irrespective of whether one [a vote] is merited or not.

Personally, I only vote a node up if the node has brought enlightenment to me, I think it might bring enlightenment to others, if it amuses me or if the content annoys me, I'll vote the node down.