What's this status thing all about anyway, with user titles? I really don't 'get' why users get so hung up over it!

I'm afraid it's a status thing. People like to look as if they are regular members, with a lot of posts. It makes them feel important. In Some cases it's a question of privileges for the higher posters. I know a forum where you can't play certain games available until you have X number of posts.

The 'top poster' tag is something all the little wannabes aspire to.

I have to admit that every time I post, like here, for instance, I keep checking to see if I have upgraded from "good start". But I wouldn't be so petty as to make some idiotic posts just to make it happen. I like having earned my upgrade. It gives me more of a sense of accomplishment.

i started one of my forums over a decade ago. When I migrated it to a new location under my own domain name 2 years ago, I created a title for all the people who had been on the old version of it "Original Member". They LOVED it! It was how I finally got them all to move. People like titles because it makers them feel special and a member of a group.