Thoughts on the Upvote/Downvote and Agree System?

[firebush03]

I’m fully against any “popularity” system (especially one which empowers users who “support” the site via payment). Upvotes, downvotes, and agree: I think they should all be gone. When such a system is in place, users have an intrinsic motivation to speak empty-yet-popular remarks. It also scares aware users from speaking if they have a diverging opinion. Why encourage people to place value in the judgment of others?