I am sure that after the merit system that is what helped to decrease the comments with hate as we have seen before. Now people have to think twice before insulting or attacking, after all, there is no reason to spread poison or bring negativity here. To the contrary what we really need is to bring any type of value we can to help others.
I don't get your point here. There's no real punishment for personal attacking or insulting (except for deleting posts/comments or worse - red trust). Why would people stop doing that for merit. Your "thinking twice" argument only holds true for serious members who really want to rank up or prove themselves. Shit members still shit all over forum every day and every where.
In deed, merits even bring more hate to itself from those members who can't rank up for bounties.