the merit system has done a great deal to lift up those who discuss (in a positive light) the merit system...ask the many genius young coders out there who have a merit of between 1 and 2...surely, they will tell you "merit is NOT about some kind of exclusive club...no...no...no...its really all about the crypto, dude...really!"...some day (not so soon, i suspect) we will get to see the numbers regarding merit for discussing actual tech shit vs merit for discussing....well......merit
Being a "genius young coder" (not that you should believe anyone claiming to be one) has nothing to do with deserving merit. Actually, if one gives themselves that title then they are likely to be an asshole who doesn't write posts which deserve merit. Besides, there is no inherent need to have merit aside from reducing some rank-related restrictions.