I haven't received any of those messages requesting votes but I have heard through the grapevine that it does happen, and I believe I've seen several long thread regarding the Hot 20 being a big joke now because of the trolling. From my POV, I'd feel a bit weird and embarrassed to ask someone to vote for one of my images. I figure that if people view one of my images and feel it's above and beyond a certain level or whatever, they'll vote for it ... if they don't, they won't, no biggie ... landing in the Hot 20 doesn't give you any special powers as far as I can tell.