Quote Originally Posted by 'Catamer',index.php?page=Thread&postID=194115#post 194115
I guess if we had a REALLY good ranking system I wouldn't have to think for myself.
A forum ranking system will never replace critical thinking, surely. A total nobody can still be right, and a forum vet can still be wrong. Obviously the ideas have to stand on their own.

I think it's a subtle thing, really. Forum rankings are a way for the community to define itself (what we as a community do and do not accept), to reward people (giving a concrete representation of our esteem for people who are valuable), and perhaps affect the behavior of other members a little bit (people tend to do what they're encouraged to do a little more than if they weren't encouraged to do it).

I haven't seen many ranking systems at all, and I haven't ever seen one get abused, so I don't about the risks, really.

Also, I think we have the power to define ourselves as being newbie-friendly. I'd prefer that myself- not giving people an excuse to be lazy, but welcoming them and helping them pass through their ignorance and leave it behind.