[Mithalwen]

I think the main problem with the rep is that the "rep" weight has not been capped.

I joined at a time when the system was new and I remember thinking it was Christmas to get a 10 point rep from the extremely encouraging HI. Even with diligent posting it took a while to reach each milestone and they were much more significant.

My posts now carry a ridiculous amount of rep and those higher ranked even more. I certainly don't regard my opinion as proportionally more important than HI's was then but if I follow his generous example (and I try to) those I rep will progress at a stroke what it took a far greater number of repped posts to achieve at the same time.

I know that many far finer downers are below me in the rankings.

So it is always nice to know if you made someone think or made someone smile but I think it is a shame if people take it too seriously.