since unsolicited advice bugs ya, I think I'll offer mine...lol...pimping for membermarks is no better (or just as bad) as manipulating stats of "MOST READ" or "MOST POSTS" boards on the HOT LIST. It's all about perception and to those that haven't been around these here parts as long as some, it in fact is a perception that the higher the number of membermarks, irrespective of how obtained, the more knowledgeable an alias is. In addition, as you know, on the internet, more is better.
IMHO...so there! and HRUMPH!