I understand why you are agitating for more of the merits circulating in the above sections. Indeed, the forum is called bitcointalk, and it would be logical to discuss bitcoin and other crypto-currencies, and reward participants for quality posts relating specifically to this topic. But! You focus your attention on what should be, and not on what it is in fact. In reality, the situation is such that in bitcoin and altcoin discussions there is such a huge amount of spam that it`s almost impossible to find worthy posts among it. It`s in these threads that the bounty-supporters (mostly shitposters) mainly write, as the rules of the campaigns require.

META branch has become an airhole for those who are tired of garbage on the forum. It`s here that you can express your informed opinion, and expect that it`ll be heard by other forum participants. META is read by the forum users, this branch became the focus of the bitcointalk elite. And this elite thinks about how to improve the forum, develops strategies for returning to the original goals of bitcointalk. The META branch is still practically free from spam, therefore, worthy, interesting and promising discussions are held here. I believe that those, who are now directing all efforts to find ways to improve the forum, will be able to rejoice bitcoin and altcoin discussion. Only after such qualitative changes (eliminating spam, limiting the possibilities of shitposters and irresponsible bounty campaigns), it will be possible to say about increasing merit circulation in the above boards.