Oh yeah, it's been a hard road to Dolphin status, but it really didn't matter to me.

This is a vital factor in my opinion too - sincerity and authenticity. There are plenty who engage for the reward, others who do it to troll - at the end of the day, it is those who are decent humans that do the best.

It's possible to fake sincere engagement for a while, in an attempt to gain some external rewards, but that's an awful lot of effort, over an awfully long time, for it to "pay off," and I daresay that problem takes care of itself.

Just like in a relationship started on fake interests and promises, eventually, everyone leaks. If you have to hide yourself behind a mask of sincerity, what leaks out? :D

To truly and personally engage is to give of one's time, a most valuable and fleeting asset.

I agree. I give people a lot of my time, I give a few people none of it - after having too much wasted and taken for granted.

Thanks for taking your time :)