I have multiple entire sections on ignore, not to mention my extensive individual member ignore list, so I'd say the problem is still pretty bad.

When the merit system was rolled out in January, it definitely seemed like a lot of people were trying to improve their post quality, but since then it seems like the shitposting problem has returned (it never disappeared, but maybe it was taking a piss break for a bit).  There definitely need to be some improvements to the system, and I'm pretty sure that if Jr. Members with 1 merit continue to be allowed to join signature campaigns, nothing's going to really improve.

For a while, there were some campaigns that had merit requirements to join, but that faded out.  There used to be SMAS, but that also fizzled. 

OP, I feel like I'm writing stuff that's been written 100 times this year.  All of this keeps getting discussed, and I worry about Theymos's shoes, socks, and toes because of all his foot-dragging.  Maybe he can use the copper membership fees that shitposters pay to get around the 1-merit requirement to see a podiatrist regularly and buy some heavy duty work boots.  I suppose if he winds up facing a twenty-toe amputation he might consider putting into place some of the solid suggestions that a lot of members have been discussing, but unfortunately I don't have much faith that it'll take anything less than that.