I'm a relatively new user of this site, and I neither know, nor care who these 'high-karma users' are. I don't recognize the names and thankfully HN doesn't highlight their karma count next to their profile link here. I didn't even know there was a leader board and don't want to see it.
I don't scan the comments as much as others probably, but when I do, I prioritize by a few things: Those that include links, and when I have the time, those that are lengthy, since often those can be from people who had a lot to say and you can tell by the tone of the first paragraph if it's worth your time.
I love the egalitarian nature of the system that doesn't single out new users who might just as well have valid points to make.
I'm not sure which aspect of my comment you were referring to, but I don't think there's data to back up the suggestion that the majority of the visitors here fetishize karma count and care greatly about it.
They care about learning something new, being intellectually stimulated and sometimes just being entertained, but given the limited way that karma is exposed, I'd be surprised if the average user goes to any great length to find out the karma count of a comment poster.
You can probably take my word for it on this one; if it's remotely possible we can end this branch of the discussion on that note, or on agreeing to disagree, I'd be happy for it.
I don't scan the comments as much as others probably, but when I do, I prioritize by a few things: Those that include links, and when I have the time, those that are lengthy, since often those can be from people who had a lot to say and you can tell by the tone of the first paragraph if it's worth your time.
I love the egalitarian nature of the system that doesn't single out new users who might just as well have valid points to make.