Originally Posted by GUWonder

If users need the opinionated, over-simplified assessment/communication of others to make up their own mind about any given post, then I'm not sure how that adds value to my reading experience on FT. Popularity contests don't really float my boat, but I'm sure they float the boat for others. I'm just not sure how it would improve the reading experience of those who don't need or want another popularity contest on FT when reading FT.

It had entertainment value but then it became a distraction and left the place seemingly full of cliques (friendly as they were/are) but not much else in the way of information or even entertainment.