a system that does nothing but boost ego's .
That IS the whole point though, the
kind of user you are trying to attract by enabling such a thing. Why do you want to base a community on the people that need/desire any kind of "thanks" for their contribution? If people really need that kind of bell or whistle to validate their opinion or knowledge, then chances are they shouldn't even be in an adult forum like this to begin with.
Why would someone "need" to be agreed with if their perception is valid? That was a core part of the culture of Totse, people that didn't give a fuck about being accepted or fitting into mainstream thinking. Shouldn't their own life experiences and attitudes be enough to want to contribute? If not, then truly this kind of discourse is NOT the place for them.
Its like when you were in first grade and got an "A" on a paper, you were so thrilled getting that star or sticker along with the grade. I would think that HOPEFULLY the kind of people we want posting and attracting to these forums have grown up well beyond that kind of need/high/validation over something that is so useless in the grand scheme of things.