Airdrop is a reward given to early adopters, either for doing some jobs or for believing the system at it's early stage. Let's assume that some people recieved bitcoin airdrop 10yrs ago, but because the persosn are unable to recieve more bitcoins, then the airdropped bitcoin will be retrieved from them. It doesn't go well to my view.
Same feelings here. I think the airdropped merits should be taken away. Even though people usually don’t rate airdrop merits as merits earned, hence the self congratulatory posts for new ranks and merits achieved.
It was a reward for loyalty, and you want it taken away? It wouldn't solve anything, and I'm not sure how many of you would be active if the merits and signature campaign is taken away from the forum.
The majority of those spamming the forum are newbies and those who don't care about the merit system; you'll see a lot of them if you go to WO and P&S.