The first question would be: “Why do we have the board in the first place?”
Historically, I think it was to replace the Top Contributors, All Time leaderboard, which had become stale since at least half the people on it didn’t post frequently anymore (and at least one of them had left permanently). I think that one had existed both for motivational and reputational effects. (If you want people to respect and listen to the top 10 posters, it helps if they know who those are.)
The first question would be: “Why do we have the board in the first place?”
Do we have it because we believe it provides a significant motivation effect?
Historically, I think it was to replace the Top Contributors, All Time leaderboard, which had become stale since at least half the people on it didn’t post frequently anymore (and at least one of them had left permanently). I think that one had existed both for motivational and reputational effects. (If you want people to respect and listen to the top 10 posters, it helps if they know who those are.)
Here is the all time leaderboard.
It motivates me. Depends if you value that. I did.
Me too. Early on I set a goal to become a recognized LW member and the measure was to reach the leaderboard.