... it likely means that:
- You made a post and someone thought it's a good post, or perhaps someone clicked the wrong button. (I love your sense of humour)

It
doesn't mean that:
- Anyone else thinks it's a good post.
- Anyone likes your post or you.
- Anyone agrees with your post or with you.
- Your post is right or righteous.
- You're not a shitposter.
- You're trustworthy.
- You're not dumb.
- Your post doesn't break the forum rules.
- You'll get any more merits for that post or any post.
- You should try making more such posts.
- You should pester other users for merit.
Just some inspirational-motivational thoughts for your Monday. May or may not be based on a true story.
Oh yes, to read about this subject with the Merits, is also always too delicious...
I love to read through the thread here and between the trash and the rubbish, I keep seeing these great shining sunrays, which make this forum shine in a great light for me, again and again.
Strangely enough, these are also the users who have the most of these so-called merits here.
Maybe it is because they do something better, than the rubbish and trash does it, I mentioned above!
And yes, I am really firmly convinced!
As a result of my longer absence here in the forum, through the theft of my account about 4 years ago, and the succesful recovery not too long ago
(although I didn't no more believe in it in my mind), of course I missed exactly the these moment with the introduction of the merits system (and also the trust-System (DT1,DT2...)
Something like that did not exist at my time here in the forum
Therefore, of course, I completely lack the experience, but it's not like I haven't read a lot about it since I got back on board...
I think, it is a good solution to separate the wheat, from the chaff in this way!
I will educate myself a little more...
Of course everything has its advantages and disadvantages, and something like the creation of a merit-monopoly can be quickly assumed.
But that is not my impression that this would be the case!
I have also collected a few merits in the last months, but it's not like I'm begging for these at any time or writing something, just for the reason to hope for a few more merits, in my accountstatistics.
Of course a higher ranking is nice to look at, but it does not show the person behind it...
It is only 1 parameter of many that express a good reputation, and if only some here would rather focus on THESE other parameters... to the honest and human ones...
This would be a good start!
As a good person with a good heart, without bad ulterior motives, the desire for pure exchange of knowledge and mutual help, and maybe even a heated discussion every now and then
(for what a forum is there for, damn it), does it all by itself, without thinking about it.
And lo and behold, these merits come all by themselves, received from members who think, in a lot of ways, the same way as I do,
And only these received merits, are these ones you can really call merits, i think!
I also think, apart from those who have nothing good in own mind, from the beginning anyway, but those who really have a good heart and wonder why there are few or no merits for them:
Do not blame others, but to reflect yourself!
Reconsider your attitude!
And just try not to think about the topic of merits.
Believe me, you will be surprised...