Why are downvotes so misunderstood?

For example, if I ask someone/a community for clarification, I get downvoted for asking the question. I didn't say it in a passive aggressive, aggressive, or rude way; I did it only to ask for clarity. Why would I be downvoted?

I saw another comment that got downvoted for asking a question, and it wasn't even rude. It's just that it was downvoted so much at first, so people started downvoting it because others were too. I really hate the hivemind of Reddit.

e: downvoted woo