The reputation system is driving some people away from the board, I've yet to see a benefit to post ratings that can make up for that. I think the feature should be removed. Having said that I don't see why it can't be enabled/disabled on a per-user basis. It's just CSS, no? Wouldn't it be possible to create a modified version of the skin that doesn't display the reputation/voting elements? That way the people who don't like the feature can use that skin and browse the forum blissfully unaware of the popularity contest.
