A couple of days ago we have an interest insight regarding merits in this thread: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=4559515.0

But, in addition, even when numerically the number of merits seems stable, the truth is that the number of users isn't. Probably, that's why we all feel that the merit system is decaying.
Now, maybe that's normal. It would be interesting to see how many new accounts are immediately enrolling bounties, and, in this case, why all those members are probably don't receiving merits. On the other hand, I'd like to point out again that maybe this is our fault: I mean, maybe this is time to change our mindset and reward more than just one merit to the deserving people, because, being real, this is really difficult to rank-up beyond member if we don't give a "punch" too good new users, good members or whatever the rank. Just don't be shy, and if you find a really good post, why don't give 5 or more? Because of farm accusations? I think we are beyond that already, to accuse one to another when the merit system is about to be 6 months old, is kind of annoying. If oneof us reward with, I don't know, 8 merits to someone and the post is decent enough, let it be.
Besides, I might point out that is is also truly important to reward also to high rankers, because, as you of course know, if we want to spread merits we need also to win some (I don't beg, I'm just doing well with my amount, what I mean is we must not stop giving merit to a high ranked based on his/her position).
While some can be interested in, for instant, tech, others can be in society. As well as we spare our merits, more people will be rewarded, for we have all different points of view and different approach about what a good post need.

That's a really important statement with which I totally concur. Instead of dividing the awards in between "Bad and good", we mentally can change and divide it into:
- NOt bad= 1 merit
- Good= 2
- Very good= 3
-Awesome= 5 or more.
As an example, of course.