Absolutely it the best place to start as a member of Bitcoin talk, We all know that a thousand miles start from a step. I know I may not have merit but I will have thousand if merit when I'm connected constantly.
Yes your are really right, you may not earn merit now but later run you will earn thousands of merit according to the level of your research, one thing we don't know, is that, we have to know that any solution to problem rely on our hands, to get uplifted or elevated in the forum of bitcointalk undergoes consciousness of the person to work towards the development of the community by bringing a new innovations, remember that everyone started from the beginning's and to an extent they became a member and other numerous position to be mention.