Agreed. I think if they are going to keep the influence system, stop with the "Influence Gained" messages. Just put your influence level on the character sheet and leave it at that, then if you really want to know your influence level, you can find it, but it doesn't interrupt gameplay with numbers.
It should be configurable, ideally, just as the messages of damage (hitpoints) can be toggled on/off, for example.
A most excellent idea
I think I'll join the club of "Longer is Better". I don't really play a lot of games, but those I play, I play a lot.