The introduction of merit system to Bitcointalk is a great idea aimed to reduce spamming and low quality contributions. But I believe that it should be implemented in a way that also favors newbies in ranking up. Some members are engaged in merit racketeering or trading, and that may make it harder for low ranked members to rank up as they do not belong to this "special group".
I don't know if there is a special group or maybe something like that, even a newbie user has an easier chance of receiving merit if he really contributes and is of good quality. When you realize the purpose of merit itself, it also means that all users will be treated the same without exception because after all, if you are qualified to get merit then there will be many users who will also support you to increase your ranking, right.
But let's not deny the fact that newbies need to double their effort since mostly they are the one who last to be noticed and receive those merits in terms of posting some good contents mostly the one who get merits are those high ranks with good reputation here, I don't mean this happen always but this is what I notice here.
But newbies shouldn't get discourage upon receiving those merit slow since this is pretty normal they should make sure to be active and continue to contribute a good post since for sure that one will be the key to rank up here.