We're encouraged to answer our own posts, yet we cannot answer our own questions. [At the time this question was asked, that second link said "You cannot accept your own answer to a question."–G.] How, then is the Self-Learner badge awarded? The badge's page states:
Answered your own question with at least 3 up votes.
So how does SO know that I answered the question. Or does it simply accept any response from the author? Further, are reputation points awarded to the original author, or the most recent author of the post?
