How the hell does the Level/Ranking system work?

I really don't get the ranking and level thing that everyone (including me) has?
What is it and what's it for?

level is essentially your post count, it's just a more befitting way to show it on an RPG/Game forum

the rep (rating) is just a number that means absolutely nothing XD

Rep = the points on Whose Line is it Anyways? They mean nothing. Level is based on posts and the member #.

oh, thanks

Oh yeah, the higher the level, the harder it is to level up.

Oh yeah, the higher the level, the harder it is to level up.

I see... thanks for the help