Wow, you gave this opinion just after making 3 posts here ? At least make 30-40 quality posts and then if you do not get merit, then you can say that it is difficult to get merits. In my opinion, it is not hard to become a member as it requires only 10 merits. Admin said that initially he wanted it to keep 1 merit for member level but then he thought that it would be too easy. Also, some members already became members from junior members with merits earned after the merit system and thus it is surely possible.