I could certainly get on board with a better filter system, but I think a 200 point minimum might be setting the bar a little high. I've been moderately active on HN for about 2 years now and just barely have 200 karma. If I would have been unable to post anything during that time, the utility of HN would be greatly reduced.
Then again, perhaps it would just encourage me to be more active in discussions.
Interesting, I never considered that voting would be so sensitive to these sorts of variables. Although this could have some effect, I'll be the first to admit my ability to communicate through this medium needs some serious work.
Perhaps. My views, interests, and experiences invariably differ from the status quo around here. I'd like to think that has little effect though--my karma per post is within range of the top contributors'(http://news.ycombinator.com/leaders)*
*To be fair, the list is quite sporadic. Min = 1.2, Max = 19.61, Avg = 4.909.
Then again, perhaps it would just encourage me to be more active in discussions.