Poll: Why do people idolize users with large post counts?

[Kud]

I've been noticing lately that users with large post counts have a large amount of friends and people that idolize them, and I was wondering if you people think that users with larger post counts deserve to be treated differantly to other users?

Also, I want you to tell me why you think people idolize these users.

 

[Skuffyshootster]

What the hell are you talking about?

*goes back to stroking Neonbob plushy*

 

[SonicKoala]

All it means is that they spend a lot of time on this site and post a ridiculous amount of meaningless dribble, often contributing little to nothing to the actual discussion. They aren't more important in anyway whatsoever; after all, it's just a number.

 

[DuplicateValue]

Nice new avatar - I like it. =]

OT: I think it's because they seem to have so many supporters, that people are afraid to get on their bad side.
But some of them genuinely have nice personalities, so it's hard to say.

I tend to prefer people who don't have post counts that are too high - they're usually more down to earth.

 

[BonsaiK]

Actually, they don't. I certainly don't idolise anyone here or care what anyone here thinks of me regardless of if they have one post or 20,000.

However if you post a lot you're more visible, which means that (at least in theory) people will get to know your name and feel a little more like they know you or something. That's probably the only reason for that perception.

 

[Et3rnalLegend64]

Almost 1600 posts in 4 months.....

Sorry. I could be blind, but they're not really "idolized" in my opinion. They probably are looked up to or whatever, but that's because they're well known considering how long they've been here.

 

[Lullabye]

I think its called...seniority? I just trust them more than other posters. Is that so wrong? Though, if they are just dicks then I won't like them.
EDIT: Fuck, I hate being in this post count range. I'm apparently no different than the others who joined a month ago and only post one word answers in the forum games section. Dammit! How do you people post so much!? I joined over a year ago(didn't go on for a few months but still...) and I still don't have anywhere near as much as some who only joined very recently. GET LIVES!

 

[Neonbob]

Probably because we're all over the place.
If we're present nearly everywhere, it does make sense that our lists are longer.
I cannot explain the "idolizing" part.
And I voted No.

Actually, they don't. I certainly don't idolise anyone here or care what anyone here thinks of me regardless of if they have one post or 20,000.

However if you post a lot you're more visible, which means that (at least in theory) people will get to know your name and feel a little more like they know you or something. That's probably the only reason for that perception.

Aaaand I was ninja'd in a more eloquent way.

 

[Kud]

Almost 1600 posts in 4 months.....

The reason I have so many posts is because I mostly hang around in the forum games, and when you hang around there you get a lot of posts.

 

[Sassafrass]

I wouldn't say idolized.
More like stalked with an obsession. I mean, out of the guys and girls on my friends list, I only know about 10 of them and have regular contact with.

 

[Urgh76]

It's a little thing called seniority my friend

 

[secretshadow90]

If it's a person with a large post count who is known for making good or excellent posts (looks at Furburt and Neonbob) it's an indicator of a good thread and guaranteed entertainment. Also they seem like nice people and we could all use a few nice people in our lives.

 

[Fightgarr]

I remember when I first joined and I thought that going gonzo would get me into some kind of cool-cats club. Where I would be recognized and I would be 'famous' in some sense. I assume many users go through the same type of phase when they join the site. They want to be recognized.

Similarly, people drop names and 'idolize', as you put it, posters they see often to gain a sense of belonging. The ability to namedrop someone who everyone recognizes gets you into the community. You become part of that whole. It's part of the same dynamic as the one I mentioned above. People post a lot and people namedrop to be part of the community and gain recognition as part of the community.

I don't think they deserve recognition for high post counts, but they will get it because people notice it. Let's just say that I have a lot of them on my 'ignore' list. Not because I feel they are annoying based on their posting habits, but because I feel they frequently contribute only in how inane their comments are.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

Was this inspired by Hubilub's latest thread, by any chance? I don't know. I wonder about it too...it's pretty darn stupid.

Should they be treated differently? Hell no.

 

[Sassafrass]

Almost 1600 posts in 4 months.....

The reason I have so many posts is because I mostly hang around in the forum games, and when you hang around there you get a lot of posts.

You speak the truth.
That is where I spend most of my time nowadays. And if you get into a small community in a certain game, the count will only get higher and higher.

 

[Lord Beautiful]

Posting so many messages, it is only a matter of time until they please someone. As for the seniority argument, there are those of us that have been here for quite a while who haven't posted enough to fill an entire series of novels. I'd rely more on the "Joined" number than the "Posts."

 

[revjay]

The only thing that has me wondering is why ostracize those with low counts. I'm a notorious lurker and usually don't have ANY posts but I notice the trend on some forums to discount those who don't post much. Just a note, I actually don't see much of that here which is one of the reasons I've actually come out of my shell and posted some stuff occasionally.