How is the reputation feature a popularity contest if no one can see the actual approval stats or specific comments behind it but you? If you have the feature turned on, the "distinguished road" comments are visible when the green button is on, but that's true across the board and doesn't provide any specific details. Also, if you really feel strongly about any so-called hypocrisy, you are certainly welcome to disable yours through your user CP/edit options.

From what the owners have said, they're giving the reputation feature a try and will see how it plays. I'm going to move this thread to the Feedback and Suggestions area so it'll be there where the owners can see it.