Proposition R: say no to reps.

I like the idea of a system that helps guide new members as to what an unspoken hierarchy of the forum might be, that gives visibility of those who may post a lot, be central to the community, etc. But I'm unsure whether the reputation system actually fulfils that or whether it's just a popularity contest. If it's the latter then I dislike it, but if it's the former then it still has its merits.

I'd say it's a combination of the two things really..

Like others have said, I think it encourages throw away jokes that people think will be funny based on previous 'reppage' but I doubt that this would stop if you got rid of reputation, it would just be slightly less obvious..

I can take it or leave it, as long as people don't get to caught up in how important it is then it's a way to tell people you're thinking in a similar way and a source of harmless fun.. Not much would change without it