You just said you have limited knowledge. Why is ranking up so important to you? (rhetorical question)
It's not important at this stage as being said but will be soon. You asking why? Why ppl invest in bitcoin or why playing games? As much as important to build an imaginary or a real character as it is with ranking up within the forum. It's called progression.
You still haven't answered the question. Progression to what? The progression you're talking about is imaginary if you're just chasing the rank title. Higher rank doesn't allow you to post more? You're a Jr. Member so you can already access all the boards on this forum.
Seriously, why are you so desperate to rank up?
It's just simply survival of the fittest. In the past people can get to full member or higher just by simply logging in once every day and make one lazy post; hence accounts were easily farmed. The new merit system is one of the best updates made in bitcointalk in my opinion.
It's not even survival of the fittest. Someone who doesn't earn merit gets to remain a participant in this forum. Merit is a reward for constructive posts, but it's a very low value reward. What do you really get after you've earned merit? What does the ranking up process bring to someone?
And I agree that it's one of the best updates made in bitcointalk!