I have read most these posts. first of all I aggree with there shouldn't be any trade on merit . friends are right merit measures quality of posts but there is a missing point I think. when you right something rigth or fully informed post you can't take any merit from someone. or getting very few. merits getting valuable as bitcoin. when the merit system has come I had a 58 posts. because of 2 posts I couldn't get "member" it doesn't sound very fair sometimes to me.
I think merit system will be very hard thing for many good users they dont have any support from their friends and they still in their same rank with many quality posts I think it should be changed by the forum soon.
You do have a point but don't expect that there would be a change.It would still remain as it is yet this new system do really prohibits account farming but somehow there are really instances which good posters cant be easily considered and not being merited which would definitely result on not ranking up.I can say it cant really be avoided considering on how many members out of this forum but if your post is great sooner or later it would really be recognized.