I would suggest that all the merit sources put a hold on giving merits in meta for a while, I know it will be hard as there is a ton of quality posts in here (mainly from Higher ranks).
I dont think it is a good idea and it goes against the very purpose of the merit system: to merit posts based on their quality, not on where they are published.
I also think it wont work. Because if it is for a while, the idiots will keep coming and wont even realize people are not giving merits on meta temporarily. Spammers with their multi accounts are always going to try to game the system. If we stopped giving merits on meta and, for example, the Development and Technical Discussion board became the number 1 place to get merits we would have lots of shitposters posting there, and I think we dont want to see that either.
I wouldnt do anything, apart from:
I am, however, in favor of removing signatures from everything below Member rank, requiring 10 merits (or perhaps more) to display a signature.
I support this, and I've been suggesting it for several months.
totally agree with this point...
So do I. It should be done without fearing the consequences. This will send the message that if you want to get paid to write on this forum you have to actually make an effort. People will try to cheat? Yes, as usual. Will they complain on meta? Yes. Will they shitpost on meta? Yes. But it is pretty clear to me that it is a good long-term measure. Some people will finally realize that it is easier to get 10 merit if you put
some effort to be a good forum member than the effort you need to make to try to cheat the system.