I think you misunderstand. Theymos introduced merit as a means to stop spam and shitposts that were commonplace here because people wanted to rank up to get into signature campaigns. He didn't introduce it so that"we are centralizing power to those on top" Yes, i agree, it is harder for people to rank up and some quality posts are not merited, but don't you think that the incentive for people to post quality content is worth more than having to work a little harder to rank up?
I'm new here, and after reading some issues about this merit thing I think it's unfair specially to new blood like me. The objective of putting the merit system is great, but I think they need to put a more balance system on it.
Even if I write something here that is very relevant and worth reading and even if my English is superb, I think I won't really going to get merits from other users because of that. I have seen and read posts and comments that are really good but I don't see that they're getting merits that they deserve.
I just hope they will find a new way or system to identify those who really are worthy to rank-up.