Post count and reputation points are some things that occasionally get brought up when you have a new poster with very few posts making points that are controversial, inflammatory or that attack a long-time poster. That's the only time I think most people pay them much attention.
The down arrow is used from time to time as a means of negative reinforcement. It's a way for Leonidas to tell me that I rub him the wrong way without him actually have to confront me and say that I rub him the wrong way.
I use up arrows to try to encourage posters to contribute more.
I enjoy the conversation even when someone disagrees with me. Perhaps especially when people disagree with me, as long as they can be decent about it.
As the guy with the highest number of posts (which someone recently had to point out to me because I honestly hadn't noticed) I will tell you that my reason for being here is that, where I work, there aren't a lot of sports fans. And the people who are sports fans are not into basketball at all.
So, I don't get the benefit of water cooler discussions about how the team is faring. Or anything hoops related.
You guys are my outlet. And I appreciate every single one of you. Even Leonidas. (Although he doesn't need to hit the down arrow on my posts quite so often.)