Isn't it better that people nowadays can rank up easier than years ago? From my understanding, point of merit system is to prevent shitposters and spammer from ranking up and not to make it a struggle for decent members to rank up like it was at the beginning (at least that's what you said).
You read it right, please.
I meant good posters deserve to rank up. Fast or slow, it depends on their contributions but if they don't actually make excellent contents, merit they received should be equal to their contribution quality.
It is like you make a charity to build up your reputation but if you shows it publicly, your reputation will increase faster but it does not actually make your reputation is better than others who do charity silently. In short term, make noise will increase it a bit but in long term, it is the same.