Journal Zancarius's Journal: Relationship Change
The Slashdot relationship system is a useful way of keeping track of people I personally find interesting. If you're reading this, you've probably come here because you're curious about why you've been placed on my friends list. Simply put: I happened to have found a post of your interesting or insightful. Perhaps you offered unique insight into something that I had not previously considered. Perhaps your posting history is funny enough to warrant making you stand out from the thousands of other posters. Nevertheless, if you're on my friends list, it doesn't necessarily mean that I agree with your statements--it just means that I found your contribution to the fray worthwhile enough to include you on a list that makes your posts easier for me to find. If you're on my friends list, you're also much more likely to receive moderation points (I almost always moderate up--I hate modding down simply because moderation points are so valuable). Is this fair? Well, maybe not, but I am a fairly lazy reader. If you stand out from the crowd, I'm going to reward you for it.
I do cull my friends list on a very infrequent basis. There isn't much order to it with the exception that this usually occurs when: a) your last comment was made over two years ago and b) you haven't already friended me in return. People who have me on their friends list as well are immune to the periodic culling. (Of course, if your posts suddenly become entirely inflammatory and your history takes a gross turn for the worst, you're likely to be removed!)
So, don't be alarmed! My intentions are mostly neutral, with the exception that you're a little more likely to receive a slight karma boost the next time you post, and I have mod points. It isn't a guarantee, of course, but it does make it much more likely.
Additionally, following in the footsteps of a friends journal some time back, I will friend you if you friend me. If you put me on the enemy list, I'll friend you. In fact, I might even change the relationship at random just to generate "relationship changed" notices--for fun.
EDIT: Aug. 2008 culling completed. Anyone whose last post was prior to Aug. 2006 and does not have me friended has been removed.