what are the numbers beside the names?

numbers immediately next to the name is part of the user name. The numbers within the bracket indicate their rating.

I thought each point was worth 2 cents now?

After all the answers above I think it's no use go on talking about the points. Each point is worth a little more than 3 cents.

Numbers next to the name is the user name.It may be their B'dtae or year.But in the brackets are their rating.Ie the addition of responses and the discussions started.

I' somewhat new so I'm not sure how the whole site works. What I try to do is make good honest posts and keep the rules, even though I'm not sure where to go for this site's rules, but I'll be fair to my conscious not to make one liner posts. That is all I can do. The number next to names is their rating....meaning how many posts they will be paid for.

Like when I post this message you will get points and your number will go up.

It's how shows much time I have wasted..I mean devoted to ths web site...yeah that's it...devoted...

How many myLot points you have. Each is equivalent to about three cents, much like the three cents I shall earn for posting this wondrous response.