I agree it's completely subjective and even if changed, it would still be as such.

As cynwulf and perhaps others seem to be saying, it can be both a real helpful indicator, as well as a social thing.

I once asked about thread ratings, and if one can search for best rated threads. I do not believe you can search using that sort specification. Not to say that's widely used, but it also is subjective and not very applicable.

My own thought is that "reputation" should be considered for what it is: a bit of froth that can sometimes be fun and perhaps instructive.

I think the problems crop up when it's taken too seriously.

Just my two cents.

Rep is currently meaningless. The only thing I like about the current rep system is how you can use it to attach an out-of-band comment to a post, which will show up on the rep table of someone's MY_LQ page.

Adding scarcity to the rep system might help give it more value.

On a daily or weekly frequency, a forum member could be given a small number of additional points that they can hand out to others. Once spent, they can no longer give out points. Such a system would encourage more thoughtful use of points, lest someone run out. Letting unspent points either accrue (up to a certain limit), or roll-over to the following day/week would help with the situation where one might need to hand out more than the daily amount on a given day, but scarcity needs to be maintained, otherwise the points lose their value, which is where we are now.

Having said that, as Frank says above, it's just a bit of fun, so I don't really care one way or the other.

Having the reputation system allows me to feel somewhat smug for keeping it disabled. :P

Hear, hear.

Sadly I just saw a thread where the OP posted a "Thanks!" reply, and the poster who they were thanking wrote back and pointed out how to say thanks more substantially. That's exactly what comes from it being taken too seriously. It is clear reading the thread that the OP appreciated the help.

1 members found this post helpful.

Agreed. I'd sooner have the "thanks" message.

While others have that as part of their signature.
Which is worse?

But I admit, I had a weak moment when I wrote that. The written thanks is preferable; something annoyed me... handout mentality I guess... which of course isn't an excuse.
Now can I please go back to secretly stroking my green phallus; it gives my words power and authority, almost like having the word "Moderator" written under my username.

PS: The +1 rtmistler received for their mildly trolling passive-agressive post is a good example of "sympathy rating" as per OP.

I admit it strokes my ego too, though I must admit I never saw that green line as a phallus! Sometimes I think that to men, everything's a phallus.

On some forums, one's rating determines the description under one's name. That definitely encourages dubious practices. At least on LQ, the description only depends on the number of posts.

Different thing, as my OP is ignored anyway.

What shall I do in the future if I want to discuss one topic but not another?
Saying so in the initial post has no effect.

PSE no helpful rating on this one
PSE no reputation points on this one.

One point is, that I just do not want to care about the difference between 1 function I want to render useful and another one which I do not mention, here.

Reputation is gained in many ways. Choose one. I will not.

I don't believe your OP has been ignored - quite the opposite.
This has been addressed in this thread and in historic postings on the same subject. “sympathy ratings” / "likes" is what a good part of the reputation system amounts to. The line between what is "sympathy" and what is "technical" is not clearly defined. Indeed some "likes" could be awarded for a combination of factors.

In other words, the system will never be a measure of technical merit of a post or poster, nor could any modification achieve that. You would need different board software - and indeed a completely different format - e.g. only the OP awarding points in their thread and more complex rules. This would mean transitioning the site to a "volunteer helpdesk" format, putting it in direct competition with the numerous other sites already in existence.
I suspect many users do this, I have probably done it numerous times and it's because I don't take the reputation system seriously, nor have any expectations in terms of it being a measure of anything.

It's a matter of nomenclature. Theoretically it could be renamed to "LQ high five", it would not make a shred of difference and the expectations, perceptions and emotions surrounding the green bars would persist regardless.

The only way to "fix it" from a technical point of view, is to get rid of it altogether. From a user perspective it's best viewed as a "like" feature.