I agree with this and would like to add the following. Since theymos mentioned that some users got "screweed over" with the invention of the merit system, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to give those users a certain advantage when you are handing out merits, since they were close to gaining a higher rank and missed it by an inch. I think I saw a table about unlucky users who got affected by the merit system or sth like that but I cant find it now. I am sure there could be a way to check that though.

@o_e_l_e_o
Thanks for sharing that quote by theymos, it is encouraging that he would support such a decision if the merits are given to quality posts.