@Jellie, by “harm” I mean giving rise to competition among members, which leads to animosity, envy, hurt feelings, temptations to game the system, partisanship, and other divisive things.
In my opinion those effects would be harmful, to individuals if not to the site. I did not specify “to the site.”
Would all members react that way? No. Is it rational and mature? No. Is it a common human weakness? Yes.
Would it drive people away? Yes, starting right where I am.
What’s more, those who are attracted by that sort of thing would then come here expecting and wanting that sort of thing. If that is not what we are, it’s misleading. Why would we want to create a host of new members who are in for instant disappointment? or, on the other hand, let those expectations change the character of the site?
I think we do best to try do be known as we are, so those who would be comfortable here will recognize us and want to join, and not pose as something we’re not in order to inflate numbers. I’ve seen this happen before in other groups, one of which lost its soul permanently.
As always, I’m only offering my opinion, but I do have a reason for it.