I personally like the voting because it helps the community see itself and us as monks to see ourselves through the eyes of that community.

But to direct my thoughts on your last post here, I don't believe it encourages abuses, very rarely do those that abuse need encouragement and it wouldn't matter if we got experience or not from voting, the abuses would still occur.

What you say is commendable, that your voting habits would be the same. I like to think mine would be as well. Really I stopped caring about my level a few months back, but the new ones, the ones who are borderline lurkers, those fascinating new brains out there that come up with all kinds of great ideas, sometimes need some encouragement to jump in and start some action. Small incentives are good for this. Above all, its just kinda nice to come in here during the day and get "thank you" from the monks for doing something on here. The rest of the day has a way of dropping into the background with these small vanities. :-)

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Every day someone is doing what someone else said is impossible.