the thought is, you ask a question, tempt people with some karma, and you will get some more quality responses..
for example:
No KARMA Award thread:
SoreArms: I woke up with a mushroom growing on my cock today, what could it be?
Response 1: HAHAHAHAHA
Response 2: Pwned!!!
Response 3: Dirty Mexican
Under the new system
Thread with a 10,000 karma award:
SoreArms: I woke up with a mushroom growing on my cock today, what could it be?
Response 1: It could be genital warts
Response 2: see a doctor asap
Response 3: could be herpes too bro, did you wear a rubber?