I'm thinking. Feel free to pushback please.
If, let's say, you would become an autovote abuser yourself, that would not be at no cost. Yes, you would probably grow you account faster. But there's a possibility other things would happen to.
In other words. If there's one thing that has helped you launch projects and secure support for them has been your ethics. People trust you. They've trusted you with money, directly with money, and this reputation that is not the number next to your username has taken a lot of work and patience.
So, imagine tomorrow you decide to burn the house. You press the "fuck this shit" button once and for all. And begin doing all the abusive behaviors you've been fighting.
Some of the things that could happen:
I have to emphasize the word could, because of course I'm no prophet either.
The point is that behaviors purchase us "social tokens" of a kind. Some people call it chips in the game, some people have different analogies. We all benefit from behaving in ways that give us chips in the game.
Someone who has "chips in the game" is intrinsically valuable to a community or even to a group of people, and thus the chips can be, and will be used, when the person is in need. Sometimes without that person having to ask. It's a wealth of a kind.
So, although I agree with your points, I really do. I also think that you've gained in other ways. Its not like anyone can launch a project and secure support easily, you can, because you've proven yourself.
This doesn't mean everyone loves you either. Because we all have "enemies". I mean, not really, but the point is that we can't be liked by everyone. I sure had my share back when I was relevant here.
I'm already making this comment too long. But this is why I'm excited to present moe's ideas. I sincerely believe it will help a lot towards allowing people to build a reputation, and value it. They will be able to see how they become valued. There's a psychological element here.
RE: What are some accounts you'd forfeit author rewards to if you could?