A suggestion on your favorite subject.

[laconicsax]

Maybe make a rule classifying OPs and comments whining about the popularity contest that is rec/unrec as disruptive (interfering with forum moderation?) and allow mods to lock/delete them.

Seriously, OPs whining about rec/unrec aren't discussion threads: they're narcissistic whining posts. Similarly, comments and subthreads along the lines of "looks like the unrec crew is here" aren't discussing the OP in which they're posted, so why not treat them as you would spam posts or off-topic thread-jacking attempts?

I'd be willing to bet that if this type of rule change was made, the number of threads/posts whining about how not everyone loves a post would drop off pretty sharply.

[Skinner]

1. Believe me, we have considered this many times.

We haven't ruled it out. But we haven't decided to do it either. Not really sure what we'll do.

[laconicsax]

2. Thanks for the info.