I see a lot of posts in meta section moaning for removing merit or merit is not fear etc etc. Seems like they are trying to say, receiving merit is Impossible. Sure it's not easy but it not impossible, it's just difficult IMO. Guess what(!), it was suppose to be difficult or spammers would be receiving it very easily with their one line/ few words "thank you", "very good project" etc. type of posts. It would not have any difference with activity count.

Yes, your realisations make sense:
1. Activities to control number of posts
2. Trust is representing morality/ethics
3. Merit is a reflection of intellectual presentation

PS: I am having a feeling... I guess I exchanged slimier opinion in another topic long ago, not sure.