As a member of the forum and you're not growing in knowledge of the main purpose for which the forum was created for then it's a waste of time and energy for you. The forum is not just about earnings so if your growth in the forum is focused in ranks you are basically not growing.
Unfortunately, there are members here who are not growing, I'm not saying I have the numbers or what. But if you look at the newbies who's intention is to join bounties and thinking of money. Instead of just learning it first and see what this community is all about.
Specially in 2017, wherein there was a large group of individuals was caught, as if they are really working in a ring and joining campaigns. Thus, Theymos created a merit system to at least combat this people.
You are right that mate there are many newbies form way back 2 years ago or more but now still a newbie because the reason of they don't think the importance of forum all they think is money.
Through this forum we learned a lot of things because older members takled most of a topic that we need to know and all we need is to search those topics read and understand in order to grow and reach our goals.