Merit system in my opinion was build as a barrier for new comers and gives an advantage to early adopters in terms of signature campaign.
If you were here because you are interested in the community and to learn about cryptocurrencies, you probably wouldn't care about merits all that much, because ranks are little more than cosmetics.
If you are annoyed by the merit system, because you're only here for signature campaigns and bounties, I'd say that's proof enough for the merit system working as intended.