The function of merit is to disrank everyone. Merit will disable the rank. Without enough merit base on the require merit for the members it won't allow to rank. The system scenario is base on the reality that their are more spammers that rank easily without sweat.

Not everyone that is new is here to post shit threads and be apart of air drops.  I am in an airdrop but I dont go out spamming or shit posting just to build up posts.  I created my bct account before I started in an airdrop at the recommendation of a personal friend that is a legendary member on here.  He said this is the place to learn and research so that is what I try to do.  More reading than posting.

Thanks for starting this topic because many people including me had those doubt about what merit is ,
It's actually a pretty good step made by the Bitcointalk forum to avoid pointless and irrelevant posts by people who just post for activities.
You can learn everything about merit here : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2818350.0