I personally judge reputation exactly the same way as I do with people offline - their behaviour and interactions with others and me over time. I don't pay a lot of attention to the reputation number next to someone's account name. That's a starting place, but really only tells you that they've posted a lot, they've been voted a lot and, as other commenters have said, there are a range of motivations about why people vote for them. Conversely, a low reputation on an older account might only tell you they've fallen out with someone - or someone has fallen out with them.
There are tools you can use to help inform your judgement nd check a new-to-you account, but I would be much more keen to encourage accounts to grow relationships online slowly and with care.
I guess where I'm going with this is the following abstract idea:
"Imagine we had a reputation score that reflected the right behaviors. A fitting evolution of hivebuzz if you (gamification). Simple to understand, maybe difficult to implement (to be expected)- setting the tone for a culture of a kind."
I understand.