There are so many ways to earn merit.

My case for example. I have 25 posts and 17 merits. Why? Because I interact with people, making jokes, answering questions, etc..
We don't need to grab some stuff from elsewhere and post here to earn or prove something.

If I need an article, I will google it and, off course, I will ask if I can't find something. This is why we are here after all. To learn and teach and share thought about different subjects. Not only to read about them.