Quote from: Welsh on January 16, 2019, 01:17:45 AM

This is where me, and you disagree completely. I don't care who I send merits too, as long as their post is deserving. I don't factor in trust or any other outside factors other than the post that I'm looking at. Does this user normally make good posts? If so I might go, and look at some of their others, and merit them individually. But, I won't let that stop me meriting a user 1, 2 or 10 times in a row. I don't care about the 1% mentality, but I do appreciate those that take the time to look for unrecognized posters among the community. The fact is there are some exceptional posters within this forum, and they deserve as much recognition as others. What I don't agree with is rewarding members for being polite. That's ridiculous from my point of view. However, I do agree that's nice to merit those who don't get merit often, but I'll only do that if their post is up to standard. I think it's true that a lot of the merit is recycled between the same members, but you know why? Because they're constantly putting out good content that deserves merit. I don't have a problem with that. However, having said that what other users do with their merit is up to them. They don't need to look for verification or approval. They can come up with their own guidelines, and use their own initiative when giving it out. I also don't have a problem with that.

Globbo's motive might be generous, and admirable. However, that doesn't mean anyone else has to agree. If he is a merit source then he can wait for his merit to replenish like the rest of us merit sources. However, asking for merit to distribute themselves when its not even to good quality posts isn't something I'd expect from anyone. Sure, good quality posts are subjective, but I think most would agree that some of the posts are low quality content at best.

Well..we can agree to disagree then. Look, I will admit readily that - 1) Begging for merit is a no no, though I am not sure that's the case here. 2) Meriting sh*t posts shouldn't happen as much as it does. 3) I am as guilty as the next person of sending my merits to generally the same circle of people for the reasons you mentioned above. They make quality content and I enjoy it and like to show my appreciation.

This is the root of the problem I feel, I like to call it the Peter Pan syndrome for lack of a better name. I have found over the years that many "adults" seem to forget the shear joy and freedom that the child mind enjoys. There are no barriers or stigma to corral your thought's or excitement. I find that the legendary and the giant's who's post's we gravitate toward's tend to forget how large the entry barrier is to participation is around here. Its intimidating for many to write down their thought's and have them criticized out in the public. This is not blame..its just a statement of what I consider fact. So when I see a new poster I tend to merit their post even though it might be below the threshold I think necessary to have earned a merit. The same goes double when I see someone do something kind or generous. I for one would like to see more of this. ymmv.