The Merit system is barely 4 months old. You have to let things settle before you state this and that.

I see that you have 0 merits but a lot of activity -- this could be one reason why you're against the merit system, I'm not sure.

I like the merit system. It heightens the standards for everyone. Yes it's a little Nazi, but that's fine. I you're honestly interested in ranking up, just like in an MMO, you have to exp harder.

You can't just reach level 99 unless you spend an endless amount of time killing the same monsters in the same area for like 90 hours.

I'm pretty sure you'd feel salty about spending 90 hours to get to a higher rank on bitcointalk? Why? If you would do it for a videogame, why not for bitcointalk?

The merit system is here to give a home to people who generally and truthfully want to be part of a community that supports bitcoin and crypto.

The members with merits from the old system understand that now. In the beginning they were throwing around merits like it was candy. Now they're being more careful because they understand the system more and how it can be abused.

Slowly but surely the people who are earnestly trying their best to be a meaningful member of BTT are earning merits. So you might make 30 posts this week and get 0 merits, but then next week you could make 30 posts again and get 1 merit. As long as you're not spamming, and as long as you're enjoying the conversation, having fun, and giving some insights -- rather than just posting something to post something... people will see that and they will merit you.

this is the atmosphere of bitcointalk right now. You'll rank up if you deserve to rank up.

The catch 22 is:

If you really are here to be a part of bitcointalk, then why do you care about ranking up? As soon as you voice your disdain or frustration about ranking up, that's when people realize that you're not really here to be on the forum. You're just here for the bounties XD.

The truth is, Theymos really put a lot of thought into this system. You don't need to be anything above Jr. to be a part of this forum -- and that's why Jr. Member requires no merits. As soon as you're Jr., you can post without any real time limit, and use the search function. You can even participate in trades somewhat, and build a reputation there.

The only thing you can't do is hang out at the Ivory tower... but that's fine. The Ivory Tower should really be for people who are experienced and have hung out here long enough to be able to share a meaningful opinion. So I agree with only higher ranked members being able to post there.

But yeah, ranks are honestly just for show after Jr. Member. If you want to rank up past Jr. Member, I'd like to ask why? What is your motivation for doing so? Why do you feel so frustrated about it? If you can't say "it's not money," then other members will see that too.