yeah, I must admit it. But really, I don't care!

It has to be. There is no other way to get 8,000 points in a week.

Well, yes, but, frankly, I could not care less. Their points score does not affect me. A lot of the high scorers get there via moderation which, while some people complain about it, I think serves a good purpose. Whether they do it for points or to clean up the site, good on them. I am way too lazy to do it and they makes the place a little easier to be around.

Oh, I'm sure that happens. But, the vast majority of those "on top on the leaderboard" do so by asking interesting questions (maybe not educational, brain-freezingly difficult ones, but interesting), and giving good answers to those they answer (either serious answers, or humorous ones). Most ALSO spend a LOT of time flagging questions. See, we all believe in AB, and try to make the best by watching for spam/offensive stuff, nonsense, duplicates, and by moving things into more proper categories, where most of THEM will get more answers. If you compared the weekly top five against the top 10 of those with moderation points, you would probably find them there. Popularity DOES come into it, because there are quite a number who will go through their friends list. If you don't have any friends, you have no friends list, so...

True.

Points and popularity do not matter. As long as you are having fun, making friends, and possibly learning new things while you are here, then all is good. Besides, I've been here for more than 2.5 years and have seen several changes in popularity and the names on the top user list. Everybody has an opportunity to have their moment. ;)

If a user is getting over 5500 points on a weekly basis, it's clear they're getting points based on who they are rather than question quality. Unless of course they have no life and spend all day every day on answerbag lol. Anyways, I've checked out some of the questions and answers by some of our top award winning users, and while they are good...they are not so spectacular that they should be above everyone else on a continual basis. That's my take on it anyways. Happy trails everyone!

muscialchef from what has been said here about me and others. i can only answer for myself. i will answer your question since it has been pointed out to me that jen or as others know me icy is mentioned outright. 1. sue me. i work from home. i am online during the day because i am chained to my desk and between clients not much else to do. 2. i have health issues that make my life limited in the offline world and on ab i have found friends, fun, laughter, and learning. (just for the record i would rather have the health to live my life more offline but for now i thank the good Lord above for answerbag) 3. if you check my answers, i have fun and help both as needed. i will not deny for the most part i am here for fun and laughs. 4. i have found those obsessed with points instead of fun and learning are maybe to serious but that is just an opinion. 5. i ask questions, answer questions, and i try to be nice to everyone. i flag wrong categories like crazy, it is silly not to put keyword in search and use it. here are my stats. Questions: 705 37612 99% Answers: 11171 66548 99% Comments: 27789 Moderation: 310 1465 94% 100% + ratings given if i am in the top for participating more than others and this makes you mad. i am sorry. i give lots and takes tons more back in smiles and laughter.

Yes I think that is possibly true to some degree. But they have been round longer so they are more common to others I guess. I could probably name one or two that just stick to answering in their group. Everyone is here for their own reasons, it is up to no one, to judge that.

I'll agree that there are many intelligent ABers who answer more technical question who don't receive their due on AB. But if you check the top ten ABers by points each week, you will see that these people spend a lot of time on AB and ask and answer many questions each week. And the others receive many points for flagging each week. It's not always about who is popular.

A lot of them spend hours and hours every day on AB. That, plus they tend to always be polite and courteous, and they ask truckloads of questions, and give truckloads of answers. I've been here since 2006, and I've seen LOTS of different people in the top 5. It's not always the same people. Maybe you haven't been looking at it for very long.

The last time I checked no one holds a gun to anyone's head in terms of answering questions. So if I answer a question it is because I find it interesting or I have some specific knowledge from which others may benefit. There are people who never ask questions and most of their points come from moderating...you understand what moderating is don't you? Nothing creative about it. You judge other people's creativity and benefit from it. Do you approve of that? Why? In any case, you have your opinion which you have put forth in your question and I have mine which I have just given you. Do with it as you wish. Happy Wednesday to you. By the way, how do you know what "bright" is? Are you bright? Perhaps what you consider "bright" others may consider ordinary/average. Everything is relative including your opinion and mine. Cheerio! :)

I'll admit it. But friends can only rate each other so much a week and even in real life personality speaks louder then words most of the time. So in any given situation chances are you will be judged by who you are.

dude i get like 10 points a day. haha but i dont really have time ot answer and ask a lot of questions. so i am on and off all day during work... i wish i could sit here adn go through all of them and answer as much as i could!! then i would prob get a better chance at being on top to! but once some one is known on here it does seem that they get more points jsut for being well known wish i was well kn0wn haha (i need a genie for all these wishes i want granted!)