This seems like a disguised disagreement about whether karma's function is to signal good posts (to observers) or reward posters.

Under the first perspective, the dynamic you identify is dysfunctional. But I think most people here view thumbs up as "I want more of this type of post," which is closer to the second perspective. Under the analysis of the second perspective, one should net a reward if one does something difficult.

One consensus of this community is that it is harder to admit one was wrong than to avoid the error in the first place. If you disagree, then admissions of error after errors should not net karma.