Surely the best test is whether you can be insightful enough to really add value to the site through good links and comments? And that's what karma is designed to measure.
I have been a lurker for somewhere over 6 months, originally referred by a PG essay, I think.
I would hate to see too much forced change/active management to filter the user base, as I have learned an astounding amount from the links, the comments, and my observed behavior (compulsion/obsession?) with the site.
This is my first post, and so far, I have not had any content links to offer. I, for one, would be disappointed if I did not make the metric to continue to read/learn.
