There was a time when Youtube view and subscriber count was similar. Now there is a cadre of Youtube professionals whos careers live and die by these numbers.

Also, neither I nor anyone else cares about the points, I don't expect to spend them at the karma store. What I do care about, as I'm sure you do as well, is whether something I said is incorrect and why.

I care about being correct, I don't care if the hacker news commentariat agrees with what I say.

I'm sorry, but I have to ask, if you don't care what we all think, why do you bother talking to us at all?

Not the OP. But I think even if you disagree, I can provoke thought or encourage you to look at things from a different angle...

> They're just imaginary internet points.

Congratulations. You managed to earn a (deserved)down-vote in a post that crusades against them. :)

But more to the point. HN is an awesome community of very well informed and accomplished people who provide their viewpoints and broaden (my) understanding of many issues. Discussions generate feedback sometimes reflected in the up/down votes we accumulate. So while they may be imaginary, votes serve a very real and useful purpose.