Originally posted by iamatigerThat is true. Even with a symmetrical distribution (Gauss like) both top and low rating would shift away from the 1200, but not as fast as it does here. Two other factors come in to increase the effect on the top rating:
It will always be a fairly current rating that is highest as RHP ratings will have a tendency to rise over time (because every new joiner "injects" 1200 points to the pot).
- the distribution is skewed (the rating calculation is responsible for that, the lower rating cannot go below 0, i.e. 1200 points below starting level)
and, perhaps more importantly
- the median is below 1200; a minority is eating points from a majority (sounds like rich vs poor).