Since the beginning of reddit, the second most popular question we've received is "what is karma good for?" (the most popular being "so what exactly does Alexis do?"). Until now we haven't had a solid answer. Sometimes we say it encourages people to submit links as though reddit were some sort of video game. Sometimes we say Paul Graham insisted we do it. However, today we are happy to announce an exciting new value to reddit karma: the US Dollar!
Starting this afternoon, we will begin selling reddit karma points at the rate of $3/point. Comment karma is $2/point, but we can't guarantee it's actually recorded. Users wishing to sell their karma to other users may do so through us for a 5% commission.
Still, what's the point? You will soon be able to put that karma to good use. You will be able to buy votes on any submission at the rate of 1 vote/karma. Want to change history by making "IMPEACH BUSH" the #1 story? Spend 100 karma and you win. Need to get that Rickroll to the top fast? There's no faster way to lose friends than by spending karma to do so. Naturally down votes are a little pricier at 1 vote / 2 karmas.
A major benefit in the karma-for-votes plan is the improvement in content. No longer will our content be dictated by the irrational votes of regular users, but rather our content will be chosen by those with the most to gain from a popular story. We've struggled to keep up with our friends in the mainstream media who already allow advertisers to dictate their content. Even digg has User/Submitter. We've long felt rather left out.
It's been a long time coming, but we're finally there. Enjoy!
