Yes, but this way you get stuff for it. I think it would be neat to have a spot on my homenode with all of the little commemorative icons I bought for 50-100 XP. Like an "nth Anniversary of Perl" one, or a "The Day I Made Saint And Then - Oops - Spent 100 XP On An Icon So I Got Knocked Back Down A Level" icon. That idea would probably take some effort to implement, but I REALLY like it. It sort of shifts the "game" from getting XP to collecting stuff, and I love collecting stuff. Anonymous Monk, you have hit my weak spot.

Give us thingies that we can buy with XP!

Also, for what it's worth, I'm voting in favor of the OP's idea. It gives all of us (except vroom) something to look forward to.