Forgive me if I'm not completely in sych with your first post in this thread, I'm just too exhausted to read through all of it today. However I will add this; I wouldn't put too much concern into what is happening with the rep system, in my view it's just a way to give pats on the backs or slaps upside the head, that was its whole purpose to begin with. Later entry permissions to buy and sell were attached to the numbers, admittance into the vet section too but regardless of having 1000 posts or not, you still can't get in without being a member for a full year. At least, that was the standard I had to meet. Regarding the buy and sell requirement, it is tied to 20 posts and a positive rep, doesn't matter how many reps you have or not to use the BST section which is also moderated, requiring approval.
Here's what I thank can be done to slow the rep system inflation.
Restrict the number of reps which can be given in a day from 10 to 5, or perhaps lower. That will slow the rise down, but it won't stop it, too late now, too many members have over 10K. Also, you could chop everyone who has a rep over 1000 down to some percentage, but this artificially inflates the value of those who weren't chopped. I don't think that can work, maybe if you chopped everyones reps down by 1/10 that will slow the inflation but what have you really accomplished? The ratios will remain exactly the same, but yes, the inflation will be slowed for awhile. If it is just high numbers you don't like I don't see the point. If it is how fast the numbers are rising then limit the amount of reps which can be given a day to 1, but without also reducing everyones reps at the same time no one will be able to ever catch up to some of the guys with uber high reps, you are then limiting them.
The only real problem I see with rep inflation are the inactive member rep numbers being left in the dust, but they are inactive, so?
Only solution I can see to the out of control rep inflation is to remove the reps for everyone at one swoop and start over, but you know how well that will float among the group, lead balloon. Maybe just get rid of it all together but if you do that, don't start it up again later. Truth is, I've said this before, we don't need a rep system, not a need... but I do believe it enhances good will among members whether out of control rising or not.
My best solution regarding the sky rocketing rep system inflation is to remove the numbers, only show tiles. Let the tiles remain tied to the numbers, but the numbers themselves hidden. That way some arse here can't really damage anyones rep, at least, not that you can see, also allows us to neg rep a new arse into red if they haven't been here long enough. That sure stops the inflation, what inflation? Green tiles appear to be compressed at the top, or just don't continue further after a certain length. I had been very outspoken about removing the rep system all together two years ago when it was being abused by a member who had the highest rep here and was using it as a way to bully members. That is no longer happening because he's no longer on top to do so, problem solved, but inflation, well.... it's a rocket!
I should have written it more clearly with bolded main key parts. Whatever, just short overview of the key points for you:
sure put the kabash on one individual using his high reps to attack others because there are a dozen members with three times his reps now. I'd rather have an abundance of high repped individuals than that stuff we had going on here in the past. Up up and away! Although I've noticed since this thread started, I get less candy lately, others too, so it has slowed down the repping some, but not much compared to the past, too many individuals who won't conform.