Don't mislead novice. Merits can be earned in the snap of fingers. Just follow Ratimov's path. https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5297144.msg55821015#msg55821015
Thanks for this link because I am also learning and feeling this could be great if I am going to follow person like Ratimov as he is one of role model for many newbies like me those want to have some good place here on this forum in future.