Yeah, and it was inevitable that what you listed would happen.  Not everyone here cares about the merit system, and I doubt Theymos expected everyone was going to.  So yeah, merit sources are a necessity to keep the whole machine greased and operating smoothly--and obviously Theymos was very forward-looking in having members volunteer to be sources.

I've got no problem with those so-called merit hodlers.  Everyone's got their own opinion of the system and no one is required to participate in it, so I wouldn't be quick to lay a guilt trip on them.  Just my opinion.