Damn...if that isn't the most ironic thing. I mention I don't play the rep game and some people with a metric shit ton of rep to throw around gave me some.
So, does it make me a hypocrite that I got all warm and fuzzy when I saw that little rep count go up?
I understand what the rep thing is suppose to accomplish. Members get to show who they think is good for the community. I get that...but like killerinstinct said, it turns in to a popularity contest or a way to ding someone down for having a differing opinion.
This latest stuff with the hardcore gay pics being posted is just stuff that every board goes through at some point. I belong to the Howard Stern board (
www.sternfannetwork.com ) also and the way they deal with this is that new members cannot create new threads. New members must make 30 posts in 30 days. They can only reply to threads. They cannot post pictures. They can only post once every thirty minutes.
You would be amazed at how well this system keeps out the people that are just there to cause trouble. After they have made their 30 posts within 30 days they become full members with full privileges.