It seems there's now guides on Steemit and similar websites advertising the fact that you can earn by joining a signature campaign. So it's probably not even their friends but, the guides that they are searching up.
Also in relation to this topic looking for merit we are seeing this behavior from many new members. They usually post a new thread because they know they are more likely to get more views and merit that way.
Ya, I saw that post too. There are many people who are aware of bitcointalk and its not just about it influence on bitcoin evolution but on how one can earn few bitcoins by wearing a signature for upcoming ICOs. Few cryptocurrencies forum do allow users to participate in signature campaign but they are not just as popular as this forum.
For me, I sort of started out late in cryptos. I knew about this forum when I was searching for the meaning of HODLing and then I saw an article that explained it with link back to Gamekyuui's post. I searched this forum and read so many posts then, I picked interest in it. Though, I didn't open an account immediately but later did months later. And I must say, that some posts here have really increased my knowledge in digital coins.