Question for Level 2 experts: do you think all those little 100 share "asks" above the current ask are there to serve as alerts for the market makers? In other words, they have an alert set when they become the ask, so that the human who is watching and manipulating doesn't have to pay attention until that level is hit?

I always laugh when I see 100 share "trades" on a stock with a bid/ask this low. How many individuals are genuinely buying or selling $130 worth of stock and paying a 6 or 7 dollar commission to do so?