I want to start off by saying that I think the merit system is having some good results on the forums.  I have noticed that post qualities have certainly improved.  This is mainly an exercise in collecting a mass perception polling and only applies to YOU on a self evaluation level.  What you think your quality of posts deserving of merits is vs what reality will eventually be.  When do YOU think you will earn enough merits for your next level, whenever that may be.  For me, I kinda want to pose this experiment from a behavioral perspective to see if this might be a self fulfilling prophecy as well.  So please guess and come back to update this thread when you have enough merits to rank up.  Thanks.