Eric
You receive negative sublevels for mentioning people, what's the rational behind this?
Aabbaabbaa
I believe it is to encourage the use of the reply function, like a back and forth conversation rather than shouting across a room.
Mark Dain
Not sure but you're suppose to get mentions back, I guess so you're not spamming people? You're an active part of the community. It's the opposit for following.
Eric
Trying to type a reply to you and I think I figured it. Rather than sending your thoughts to the community, you're talking to only one person, pretty much putting them above all other readers. If Sublevel is all about community inclusion & against single personalities then it I suppose it works.