[tacomplain]

IMO it's github fault to use this star gimmick. Likes, stars, upvotes... all of these are dopamine hits disguised as curation or rating... The UX designers or engagement/growth hackers or whatever that plans and are responsible for these should try to predict the consequences of a system so easily exploitable to be implemented. Most successful MMOs have whole economies balanced, how can a 1 variable (can be more considering forks, contributors etc) economy be this open? Of course someone would exploit it. Github could hide forks and contributors but it could eliminate stars, since it brings nothing to the table more than virtual ego. Stop the likefication of software. We need to go back to free as in freedom, not free as in gratis.

[romaniitedomum]

I agree completely. Github is primarily a social network site. Code on Github is what tweets are on Twitter, or images on Instagram. Grist for the social media attention mill! And just like every other social media site, it's being gamed by the egotists and the self-promoters and the marketers and the fakers.