I sometimes post, but usually comment on topics I have an interest in.
I find your post strangely illuminating. I have never looked at a thread in such a way, if I am in agreement or not is not even a part of why I post on a topic, it is the topic.
No matter what an op says, there will always be yeas and nays in the thread below.
Now I am kind of curious as to my own pysch pattern in those choices . . .

With a compass?

I follow people based on their taste in specific topics, then there are few simple rules that work for me. You will have to discover what works for you based on what you want to talk about and how much you want to spend. I usually browse random postings and jump into the conversation and then all bets are off. Sometimes works well, other not so much. Bottom line, pretty much every contribution to a specific thread most of the time turns out an interesting learning experience. Yup, sometimes for the wrong reasons too. It's almost a requirement to have some sort of short memory. Overall, it's great.

I stumble around and post comments I later regret.

I tend to blunder around aimlessly.

I comment on things that strike me to.
Rarely post.
Follow no one.
. Spent years as an /moderator in a very large and now defunct atheist group - woofla ? Any one ? . Still active in its off shoots and a few others - so responding without overly aggressive or inflammatory language comes natural . Does in life as well, except when religion is the subject.
I'm Anti-theist to the core, and pull no punches concerning it although I pick my battles mostly.

There is a page that explains how to make points, with a few gaps, and how many you have now. Put the cursor on your name at the top right of your screen, the one that has Level x.x below your name.

A pop-up with two columns will appear. The columns are My Stuff and My Account. Towards the bottom of My Stuff, you will see My Points/Level. Select it.