I asked this question when i started here too. The response I got also helped me understand a little better what the voting/XP system is for. When you ++ or -- a node, you are not in fact ++'ing or --'ing the person, but the node.

Take for example, a node that sucks. If you dont -- it, the Reaper doth not reap.

The opposite example, is a node that doesnt suck, and is in fact rather cool. When you ++ it, its rep increases, and somebody like me (who doesnt always have time to read the whole monastery) might find it on Best Nodes.

There has been talk in the nodes and in the CB about XP whoring. I think we've all done a little of it. But the XP is a side effect of the voting. Not the goal. The goal of the voting is to determine which nodes are better to read, which nodes we'd like to see more of, which nodes are a good idea, and so on.

So -- or ++ anonymous posts. It makes my stay at the monastery easier. It empowers our friendly Cherry Pie Afficianado.

In my opinion, we should focus more on voting than on being voted upon. Cast all your votes in a day, you get a bonus ( < lev 6). You also contribute to the overall quality of the nodes.

brother dep.

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Laziness, Impatience, Hubris, and Generosity.