What exactly is the purpose of them? I couldn't find anything about them on here.

I wouldn't trust someone who has +36/-0 who also has an avatar of himself in aviators and a strange hat...

Haha...put those bear traps away you crazy.....

O hey, this is Pat BTW, Brotha 4.  But ya, the purpose is in-apparent.  However in real life karma does come into play as seen here in this rather deserving video, haaaa!

http://www.collegehumor.com/video:1613725

          You'll quickly gain negative karma for posting controversial topics and defending them.  You'll get a lot more applause posting funny remarks than bringing up real conversations.  Most people abuse the ability to smite against people they don't agree with, but if you stay on the boards for a good month, regulars will acknowledge your ideas if you've been loyal.  If you really want people to like you via karma, your only going to impress newbies, which really doesn't do anything for the site.  It just sets up a little bit of a rating system to distinguish if somebody's worth listening to.