[acjohnson55]

I really think SO is a gamechanger and I agree with you mostly, but I do think the points system is broken. SO offers all of these points and statistics that catapult people to positions of visibility, bestow clout, and unlock abilities on the site, and you're saying that they don't matter? They do. As a new user, it's practically unachievable to enter the top 10%, because all those people are still gaining points at an incredible rate, even if they're not actively contributing. It's a classic "rich get richer" dynamic. If the points really aren't the reward, then maybe they shouldn't be displayed right next to the user's username.

[vitd]

I disagree that it's practically unachievable to enter the top 10%. I did it in my first year (2 years ago) without even knowing that they kept track of that sort of thing. Answer a single question a day (correctly) and you'll get there easily. You'll actually be in the top 3-5% if you do that.