Quote from: BlackHatCoiner on November 10, 2022, 04:30:25 PM

Quote from: LoyceV on November 10, 2022, 03:46:19 PM

Or, without explicit communication, it can be implied. Or expected. There is no perfect solution, unfortunately.

Bribing is pretty much of a big concern for the world-- not just for this forum. Even if there wasn't a merit system, nominees could bribe their voters with other currency (and yes, I imply that merits can be considered an in-forum currency, that is used to "purchase" certain ranks, which can later on give you money in return).

I don't know if it's directly bribery what's our problem here, maybe we can call is "passive bribery".
The issue from our previous round has been somehow like that:

a) Account xy (Bob) is nominated by someone (Alice).
b) Bob notices, how Alice nominated him and sends a Merit to exactly the post from Alice, where Bob is nominated.
c) The post from Alice where Bob is nominated is now Merited by Bob
d) Other possible voters are coming over Alices post and are drawing the conclusion that if Bob is your nominated Account, you'll receive a Merit from Bob.
e) c) repeats multiple time resulting in more d)
f) Some opponents (Ted) of Bob will see his practice farming votes by Merit and Ted will give out Merit to everyone who voted for him as well.
g) shitposters are activating all their Alt Accounts to get free Merit from members like Bob and Ted.

= everyone who wants to obtain a Merit will start to nominate Bob and Ted, therefore Bob and Ted are "indirectly bribing" voters and possibly, more members will act like Bob and Ted.

The motive behind it is a mixture of of shitposters looking for a cheap Merit and in our case some members (like Bob) abusing the greed / need of shitposters for Merit. Then, members like Ted join because he notices how Bob is getting more votes. Cheesy

In my opinion, all steps taken by icopress and GazetaBitcoin to prevent participants from abusing Merit is a very good solution.
Members engaging in such "passive bribery" will be punished accordingly, which should prevent abuse.