it's really hard for most people to rank up purely from the merit system.
You are wrong, fella. They hardly to rank up not purely due to merit system, but the reasons come from themselves, from their posting habits, from their post quality. Merits are always available and readily to leave a warmful kiss to good posts.
For any kind of 'wars', they should not your priorities in the forum, as well as the Trust sytem, it does not make any sense for me, because I don't need positive trust. Of course, it is good for me if I have green trust, but without green trust, I am fine. If I don't do any type of stupid things, violations, scams, I won't get negative trust. Even in the case I got negative trust, it won't make sense at all if my main purpose here is not to trade, to scam others, or to run my own projects or services. Trust system in reality won't make sense for most of users, in my opinion. There is just a minority of forum users responses negatively with this system and start what they called 'wars' for their own interests. This post is a little bit distraction, because it should only disccuss about merit system.
OK, I recall someone posted some statistics on those who have ranked up due to the merit system - if someone can post a link or some stats that would be helpful. I recall there weren't that many people being promoted due to the current system, but I am open to being proven wrong.
Also, I should mention, I am not shocked some Sr. Members have jumped at me over some constructive feedback I have given. I have been a member since early 2017, and am a bit of a crypto evangelist with people around me. I have not spammed or scammed. My feedback should thus be seen to have some value, and users should not be discouraging other members from giving such feedback.
It is the politics of this forum that I oppose - and the way people become invested in the politics - this gateway that, honestly, should not exist. This is not what cryptocurrencies are about. What I'd like is a fairer system, but I admit I don't know how it can be done. However, pointing out some shortcomings should not be taboo.