I can now see a lot of people with high ranks. A lot of them sometimes seem like they are not willing or ready to provide this potentially huge help to the community, and furthermore, they often aren't even giving very interesting replies.
A demerit/unmerit is a bad idea. Some people will abuse it as well as with the trust. Probably it's time to enter a new rank - Supreme Master or Mythical Legendary. This will push the higher ranks to share their knowledge with the newcomers.