The number three you talked about is also the main reason why other people who post constructively don't make it up there. Why? Because they weren't so lucky like you to gain some merits in their first month or two (either they weren't recognized or don't have friends to help them with that).

But should one be lucky to get some merits, they start spending and then they make friends and then the circulation enters a continuum. The merit system is good and works fine but it creates an "unconscious/unnoticed/unrecognized" circus which escapes many of us.

Other than that, your other points sounds good to me. Thanks for sharing though!