What impression does it make on new members, especially now that Bitcoin is massively being advertised by big names like Blackrock?

I don't give a shit about Blackrock. Their interests are most likely the opposite of my own interests.

That doesn't make sense, decodx created his account after the introduction of the Merit system, and earned all his Merit by himself.

Part of the reason I started this thread was to (re)start a discussion about deMerit. I see good points, both in favour and against it.

OP should read that topic.