It's not a bad way to gauge your own knowledge and expertise. If others generally find your advice/tip/suggestion useful, you will know when they up vote you.

It's not a bad way to gauge your own knowledge and expertise. If others generally find your advice/tip/suggestion useful, you will know when they up vote you. I agree karma isn't the end-all-be-all solution, but it may serve as a reality check for those who think they are hot stuff. It can be both a humbling tool as well as a confidence booster.