The problem w/ ranking people (in general) is that it embodies this idea of "the best". At SO, it appears this ranking system is internalized by the employees

The problem w/ ranking people (in general) is that it embodies this idea of "the best". At SO, it appears this ranking system is internalized by the employees who are consistently ranked below "the best" (5). So why bother trying to be "the best", when it's made to seem so impossible by the ranking system? Ranking is demoralizing.