One user called Noldorin on the first page of weekly reputation points has a score of 74, even though he hasn't asked/answered a question since July. Maybe people automatically get reputation points in proportion to how much they already have?
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The questions and answers a person posts can still get upvoted (thus earning them reputation) even if the person isn't active on the site.
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There is no "automatic" reputation, but these sites are meant to provide a repository of good questions and answers which people can search for help; and when people find them often vote for them.