Well yes, it is just a number... but it is also one metric for seeing how "respected" an account is on STEEM (and by that, I don't mean that it is a judgement on the quality/quantity or any moral judgement either...). 

However, like all metrics, they are useless if taken by themselves... and out of context and all of that...

Excellent observations, @janie. If this is a true content platform where quality matters, the focus should be on the content, not the reputation of its creator.

@jaynie - very valid point - what purpose is served by displaying a "reputation" number that has nothing to do with a person's "reputation".  As you said, many have bought their way there to that number.  I'm working my way toward Dolphin for more weight to my voting power, but I could care less about that "reputation" number.  But I know you are so right, people look at that number and pass over lower numbered people and look for bigger numbered people to vote on.  Those doing that are losing out on some really great content.   I say - Yes - STOP DISPLAYING IT - it serves no positive purpose.

Awesome  point

It was better once upon a time, and it can be better again. The community part is what is great about SteemIt. I have to admit I have a bit of a reputation bias, but I mostly try and look at the content of the post.

Now this is a rant I can fully support, some excellent authors out there with low rep, why... they only offer content once in a while, quality detailed posts. 

Then there are those with high rep posting 1 photo pics a few random words  8 times a day, _which do you feel deserves the ranking?_ 

Being pushed up the ranks via purchase or pushing information in my mind holds no motivation at all.

It would be better if you can highlight peoples behavior instead of a number labeling his "reputation". For instance if an user tends to curate more often than posting it should be a curator, if he or she stream videos on dtube the label streamer shall fit him or her... There are many more examples, for instance those who engage heavily in splintersland (a.k.a. steemmonsters) could be labeled as gamers or whatever name fits in.

i think if steem were to actually reset the reputation for everyone and come up with a system that didnt rely on how much steem you've brought in over the lifetime of the account(bought or otherwise) it would at least be a good start. i understand the need to gamify activities in most community settings so i'm sure there can be a more fair system to still have a reputation without the financial requirements.

I like growing my reputation but I know it's a worthless number. The highest rep account on the blockchain is haejin who is also the biggest shit stain here. That says it all.

I wouldn't worry too much about other people's opinions. Do what you enjoy and as long as it's not harming anyone else their opinions are worthless.  There is no point even listening to them never mind paying attention to it.

@jaynie,

I agree. The Rep Score is of utter insignificance, a thing which is more bought than earned. Whatever its original intent, it has been corrupted to the point of irrelevance.

Quality of content is not reflected by resume or wallet size. Indeed, some of the worst content is produced by those with the "most impressive" of both. This is the blockchain's Achilles Heel and it will be our undoing if not soon remedied. 

Evolution is unkind to pretenders. 

*Quill*

I have to admit I was pleased to get my number up but mainly so my vote would amount too more. It’s still low!

Couldn't agree more...
That number doesn't mean a thing. Take te example account you just posted in the 'abuse' channel on PHC.
Makes me wonder why I put all that time and effort in to reach the same rep score, lol.

> Scrolling through feeds I can almost put money on the fact that 80% of people here are unintentionally paying less attention to a post by a 40 rep individual as they are to a post by someone with a 68 rep.

There's a lot of that going around, unfortunately... I try to do exactly the opposite, even though I would probably earn more curation rewards if I didn't....

This “community” is way less about community than it is about reputation and earning crypto cash.

@jaynie...Adsolutely brilliant! 

You would be a unique and strong lawyer. I agreed with you.

Thank you for expressing yourself so free, and open for equality between human beings.

You are an inspiration, and anyways we know who we are. With reputation or not reputation numbers!!:)

I think that would be an interesting idea for sure! I have such a gamer brain - when I first joined, and saw my rep number climbing, I just assumed it was because of my activity on the platform (which in a roundabout way it is, since I hadn't invested any money at that time).

Then when it clicked that the number reflected the amount of Steem Power you had, and that you could essentially go from a 25 to a 70 in two seconds if you bought enough Steem to power up, I was like...

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Definitely food for thought, @jaynie. 😊

Hah, yeah, I don't have the faintest idea how it's calculated at all, and I've never looked into it. It doesn't seem to effect content at all.