So you want to earn merit (as fast as possible!)

After a few days skulking the Meta section I realized a few important things:

#1 A huge portion of the Hero/Legendary crowd honestly care about the merit system. They are making it work, and they are more than happy to teach you.  

Check out this awesome infographic by paxmao to get an overview of the system: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2834641.msg29065043#msg29065043

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2974436.0
Infographic: Activity, Merit, sMerit & New Rank Requirements

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2822349.msg28909933#msg28909933
How Do You Feel About This New System??

#2 Many forum members have gone the extra-mile to statistically show you which topics/areas earn the most merit. Surprise!  top Bitcointalk members prefer to merit posts in the "Bitcoin" section...Go figure.

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2947171.0     
Lets Break The QuestionAuthority NOW !!!

#3 You probably won't earn many merits shilling for the latest ICO bounty

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2970251.0
Merit Data from 503 Randomly Selected Altcoin Bounty Hunters

#4 It doesn't hurt to follow the merit sources

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;stats=topsendat

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2827596.msg28975211#msg28975211
Merit System Upgrade

#4 Some members have elevated posting how little they care about merits into an art form

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2979373.0
not receiving Merit? I don't care

If you have links to some topics I'm missing please post them here and I'll add them to my list! I'll keep editing it with new great info (especially statistical info) as I find it.