However, after a little more searching,
I found this thread in the News and Community Announcements forum, which is more informative about the system,
although even that thread does not mention anything about "balance" (not on the 1st page anyway).
though i don't think it mentions the gray pips by the term balance, they have been discussed, and a bit of searching can tell you what they're about.
however i agree, to stop at least some of these threads from popping up (which the mods are really tired of), a small explanation within the rules may help.
I don't think most people use it. It's a great idea, but it needs to be more "out there" in the post box. What I mean is a bigger, more identifiable button so users will immediately know it's a +/- reputation button.
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