I think the idea of merits is reasonable but actual realisation is bad. As I understand newbies will fail to improve especially from member to full member. To get so many merits is very tough even if you have enough experience in technologies and familiar with bitcointalk foum rules. I think this forum need some upgrades as well. It's about blockchain. So, we can make the forum on the blockchain. We have steemit, dtube. Why don't we have bitcointalk with similar functions? Bitcointalk can easily collect enough money on ICO without much promotion and there are enough talented developers.