I think all of the newbies here will answer really really hard...
Let me tell you something. I started joining bitcointalk ever since this new merit system was implemented. So you can probably call me as one of the lucky ones starting with zero merits in our pockets. The key is to research well, learn about how the world of crypto works, and learn how the system here works. By then I wasnt that sure that I have a future here, but here I am now.
My rank is not that high, but let me tell you something. For each time you rank up, you will be so proud of yourself and so excited to get to the next rank. And everything else will follow. With this merit system, you will strive to learn, research, and create quality posts for the benefit of the community. Yes its hard to earn merits, but it will mold you to strive for your best.
Instead of crying about how hard the new merit system is for the newbies, why not make it a strength for you to strive. Thats what i did. Good luck newbies, dont give up. Im so happy I was able to get this far. I just got ranked up today as a member, but as of now I still call myself a newbie, thats what strives me to work hard here.
But sometimes, all our hardwork to quote references, to read upcoming news and gather data in order to help our post to become quality are not appreciated by other people. Sometimes, I am thinking that the system is unfair because some newbies are earning merits without any force they exerted. I always compared myself to them and I think, what I am replying in the thread is more quality than them, but it seems the luck is not in my hand.
I want to earn also merits but I discouraged a lot because there are users here who earned without the hardwork unlike to the people who always make a research just to go in a flow and make a quality post.