Only for a while, then we want tips when the fun wears off. Imagine Google Reader was still going because the maintainers got the most micropayment tips, and thus the best raises/promotions, while also having the most fun at work. What do you think?

Google Reader was shut for the same reason many things was shut by Google. However, once a piece of software works and is fully featured which Reader was, you don't need endless updates, just security and to work with the latest version of an OS which isn't a significant time lose.

Raises and promotions should never be correlated to busiest staff member.