This is an excellent post in my opinion. I agree with what dag says. I used to frequent this site multiple times a day, enjoying videos while also putting up with favoritism and sanctimonious commenters. Content (videos and comments) from "popular" sifters was seemingly favored. After I received my bronze star (a small rank in comparison to most), my mindset was essentially... "yep I did it". And even though to some that may have been a minor achievement, for me and I think many other casual sifters it was a pain in the ass. And once I received my star the thought of trying for the next rank was unrealistic. Now I only occasionally stop by to check out the top sifts. Other sites like Reddit (*gasp*) don't have these preconditions and I think as a result are more welcoming. Reducing the contribution requirement to be a little more inviting may be a good idea.

Also, one power that always rubbed me the wrong way was that some established video site embeds were only available to higher ranked sifters. That my friends is favoritism. I can't post what I feel is a quality video but other higher ranked sifters can. Who really suffers at that point is the site as a whole - missing out on content that may bring in new visitors and submitters.

Is it just me or are Russians taking over the internet?

Walking Dead was good until everyone started talking.

They should rename Fox & Friends to Fox & Milfs

The problem with this video is that T didn't set up in the choke.

Once you go SSD you'll never go back.

It's moments like this that I love the internet.

*horrorshow ?

Could have used some soothing classical.

I'll dance with you.

I identify with this.

Ever since I read Fish.... I can't get enough of prison shows. They're banned by my wife.

http://www.amazon.com/Fish-Memoir-Boy-Mans-Prison/dp/0786720379/ref=sr_1_8?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1356643756&sr=1-8&keywords=fish

You had me at 'The Wire'.